
Members of the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital care for the injured during the Korean War and use humor to escape from the horror and depression of the situation. Among the 4077's people are Capts. Benjamin "Hawkeye" Pierce and "Trapper John" McIntire, Majs. Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan and Frank Burns, and Cpl. Walter "Radar" O'Reilly.
The problems of three wounded soldiers disrupt the lives of those around them.
When a general's emissary is sent to the 4077th to check it out, rumors about the visitor's real purpose run rampant.
Hawkeye's letter begs Truman to stop the war.
Col. Potter orders Klinger to tutor him for driving school on a night Klinger has set aside for a big poker game.