
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.

Payday brings a windfall to Hawkeye, a bribe to Henry, a pearl necklace to Hot Lips and a vanished poker pot to Trapper.

Col. Flagg turns up at the 4077th wanting penicillin to barter for information.

Hawkeye and Margaret go to give a demonstration at the 8063rd.

Hawkeye and Hot Lips come under heavy artillery fire in enemy territory, with Hawkeye receiving a leg wound.