War Time TV: Five Shows Set During Wars

In honor of Veterans Day, the following list was compiled to salute the top television series that focused on wartime, ranging from World War II through to the Vietnam War and beyond. Rather than rank the shows in any specific order, though, they are simply presented in alphabetical order:

China Beach

China Beach (1988 to 1991) – Set during the tumultuous time of the Vietnam War, the series took place at the 510th Evacuation Hospital along the My Khe beach near the city of Da Nang, following the lives of US Army doctors, nurses, officers, soldiers, Red Cross volunteers and civilian personnel who were stationed there. Life on China Beach was primarily seen through the eyes of Lt. (nee Captain) Colleen McMurphy (Dana Delany) with interviews of former military nurses interspersed with storylines.

Hogan's Heroes

Hogan’s Heroes (1965 to 1971) – This sitcom was set in a German prisoner of war (POW) camp during World War II; and while it definitely showed the lighter side of an extremely treacherous time in our world’s history, the premise was that the POWs were actually active war participants, using the camp as a base of operations, working to sabotage the German Armed Forces. Led by US Army Air Forces Colonel Robert Hogan (Bob Crane), the prisoners
communicated with Allied command through radio contact and were able to leave the camp via a secret network of tunnels.

M*A*S*H

M*A*S*H (1972 to 1983) – The longest-running sitcom in television history chronicled the lives of those who served at the fictional 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH) during the Korean War. The main focus of the series was on Hawkeye Pierce (Alan Alda) and Trapper McIntyre (Wayne Rogers) who was later replaced by B.J. Hunnicutt (Mike Farrell). The day to day lives of the doctors and nurses at this hospital were played out on the TV screen for longer than the war actually lasted, but gave an honest, albeit humorous look at a war that was oftentimes overlooked.

Over There

Over There (2005) – While this FX series was short-lived, it was the first scripted series set in a current, ongoing military action involving the US. The series followed a unit of the US Army’s Third Infantry Division on its first tour of duty in Iraq, chronicling the lives of those who served as well as the effects the war had on their family back in the US. The cast included Luke Macfarlane (Brothers & Sisters), Erik Palladino (ER), Keith Robinson (Dream Girls), Nicki Aycox (Dark Blue), Sprague Grayden (Jericho) and Brigid Brannagh (Army Wives).

Tour of Duty

Tour of Duty (1987 to 1990) – This series was the first series to regularly show Americans in combat during the Vietnam War, following an American infantry platoon on a tour of duty. The story focused on Bravo Company’s second platoon under the command of 2nd Lt. Myron Goldman (Stephen Caffrey) and Staff Sgt. Zeke Anderson (Terence Knox) as well as the men under their command. Over the course of the series’ three seasons, it also featured Kim Delaney (Army Wives), Kyle Chandler (Friday Night Lights), John Dye (Touched By An Angel) and Carl Weathers.

What can be taken away from these shows and the other military-based series that have graced our television screens over the decades is that – to use the old saying – “war is hell”. But without the bravery of the men and women who have served our country in times of war (and peace), we would not have the freedoms we so cherish. Take some time today to honor those in the armed services and remember those who have gone on before us in battle.