Heroism comes in many guises. For Maj. Kendall Laird (John Lithgow), it means determining why a black lieutenant (Richard Brooks) killed in Vietnam isn't allowed to be buried in his hometown's cemetery. Racism, apparently, is at the heart of it, a sad excuse made more unjust by the fact that the deceased veteran was nominated for a Silver Star. Moved to investigate further, Laird takes up the cause, which leads him to a horrifying conclusion.