Chapter 9 Summary

Hawkeye and Trapper return to the 4077th to find it busy with wounded; they immediately change into pre-op garb and get to work. The camp is abuzz as Duke prepares for surgery, relying on Captain Bridget McCarthy, a thirty-five year old nurse captain they called "Knocko" for her no-nonsense, take-no-flack personality. Duke and Knocko have to do brain surgery and although they are successful, the soldier still has blood coming out of his neck. Hawkeye discovers the neck wound and has to do surgery with the anesthesiologist, Ugly.

Surgery continues on various patients uninterrupted. Even Dago Red has to be employed as a surgeon's assistant. The unit transforms into an efficient healing machine with a purpose, pulled out of their boredom and stupor. Eventually the choppers stop coming and the surgery marathon ends, but they are too tired to appreciate what they have...