1969. Young James Gleason has just graduated from college and returned from the Woodstock Festival. Waiting for him upon his return is a draft notice. That means getting shipped off to Vietnam and who knows what the future will hold?
How to avoid it? James tells his parents that he'd like to become a priest. His dad, a veteran of Patton's army, won't hear of it. James takes his dad's advice and goes to a recruiting station to improve his options.
James has been interested in acting, and an Air Force recruiter tells him he can enlist and act in the Command Military Touring Shows.
James signs up, only to find that his recruiter lied to him. The young recruit endures basic training and is ultimately assigned to do duty as a Military Policeman in Vietnam. He responds to an audition notice and is cast in the Command Military Touring Show production of Neil Simon's
The Star Spangled Girl.
James along with his small company of actors and assorted quirky personnel travel throughout the combat zones, entertaining the troops, a much-needed function; although, not always appreciated by war-weary soldiers longing to see strippers. The danger of coming under fire is ever present. His stage role calls for him to kiss Susie, his beautiful co-star, who happens to be the daughter of a Three-Star General. He falls for her, but as an enlisted man, does he stand a chance at battlefield romance? Show business is show business, but in "The Nam," James sees the comedy and tragedy on both sides of the war.
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It's a Jolly Holiday with Mary
