But in the end they fought not for their country or their flag they fought for each other. The film starring action hero Mel Gibson and directed and written by Pearl Harbor screenwriter Randall Wallace tells the story of the battle of the Ia Drang Valley the first significant encounter between American and North Vietnamese soldiers in the Vietnam War. How Did World War Ii End History Lieutenant Colonel Hal Moore Mel Gibson has to lead a batallion of 400 American soldiers against a force of 2000 North Vietnamese. . Trained in the new art of air-mobile warfare under the command of Lt. It stars Mel Gibson Greg Kinnear Madeline Stowe Josh Brolin Keri Russell and Sam Elliott. Hal Moore the 1st Battalion of the 7th Air Cavalry ride by helicopter into the. The idea was that whole battalions could be dropped and complete their mission on the ground calling in artillery barrages helicopter support and bombing. Soon well start our K