Casualties of War (1989)

The story is presented as a flashback of Max Eriksson, a Vietnam veteran. Lieutenant Reilly leads his platoon of American soldiers on a nighttime patrol. They are attacked by the Viet Cong (VC) after a panicked soldier exposes their position. While guarding the platoon’s flank, Eriksson falls as the top of a VC tunnel gives way beneath him. Eriksson’s squad leader, Sergeant Tony Meserve, pulls Eriksson out of the hole and eventually, the platoon retreats out of the jungle.

The platoon takes a break outside a river village in the Central Highlands. While relaxing and joking around, one of Meserve’s friends, Specialist 4 “Brownie” Brown, is killed when the Viet Cong ambushes them. Brownie’s death has a major impact on Meserve. The platoon is sent back to their base. Private First Class Antonio Dìaz arrives as the replacement radio operator.