The second part of the movie concentrates on the war itself. It is the eve of the great Tet Offensive in February 1968. His old friend Cowboy is part of the platoon. They get reacquainted and meet with the other Marines and then they have to move out. They are on the outskirts of the city when incoming fire suddenly come down around them.
Heavy fire is exchanged between both sides.
The tanks then move in and, after securing a portion of the city, they set in for the night. The next morning they get word that the NVA have supposedly withdrawn during the night. The Marines start to move in on the city. Joker and Rafterman join a patrol with Cowboy's squad. After a while, the Marines realize that they have made a mistake in direction.