The Big Picture. The Code of the Fighting Man

Summary: This classic episode of the U.S. Army's The Big Picture television series brings viewers into the heat of battle and shows how our fighting forces respond when under pressure-and even when taken prisoner by the enemy. After two days and nights of continuous enemy attacks, he realizes that to remain will only result in the company's annihilation. The order is to divide into small groups and escape back to their own lines by infiltration, but before it can be carried out the enemy attacks again. Most of the company, including the company commander, are killed. Five men are taken prisoner. As they are marched off for interrogation they watch eagerly for some opportunity to escape. Finally, they take a chance and overpower the guards. During the pursuit two of the men manage to get away. For the three who are left another battle begins. They are separated and led through a series of interrogations, each more cleverly devised than the other. But they do not break and, like the men who succeeded in the escape, the victory is theirs. This video from the National Archives and Records Administration shows the importance of the Code of Conduct, in which outlines the soldier's moral obligation to his country is made vivid and dramatic.