
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.

Turned down for a future position at home, Charles is so irate he refuses to talk to anyone in the unit.

Charles receives a week's supply of newspapers from home at a time when no other mail is getting through.

Klinger is accused of being responsible for a rash of thefts around the camp.

Klinger, facing a court-martial, agrees to let Charles defend him.