Screaming Eagles is a 1956 black-and-white World War II film directed by Charles F. Haas, released by Allied Artists, and starring Tom Tryon, Jan Merlin and, in her film debut, French Miss Universe 1954 runner-up Jacqueline Beer. The story is set during the night of the Normandy invasion where the 101st Airborne Division parachutes into France. The title of the film refers to the nickname of the division based on its shoulder sleeve insignia. The film is notable for its large cast of up-and-coming actors. Plot Prior to the Normandy landings, new recruits Mason, Corliss and Talbot are assigned to 1st Platoon, D Company, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment. Mason gets off on the wrong foot with certain members of the platoon, mainly Sgt. Forrest and Cpl. Dreef. A few nights later, Mason gets drunk as he reads a Dear John letter from his girlfriend back home. Meanwhile the platoon's passes into town are canceled because the men are ordered to standby for the invasion and are restricted to barracks. When the platoon returns to the barracks they find it destroyed by a drunken Mason. Platoon leader Lt. Pauling keeps Mason in the platoon and gives him another chance despite his behavior. Lt. Pauling talks to the platoon about Mason's behavior. The men also decide to take a chance on him, including Grimes, Dubrowski and Foley. On the night of June 5, 1944, the 502nd find themselves boarding troop planes that will be flying over Normandy, marking the beginning of Operation Overlord. Serving as a jumpmaster, Sgt. Forrest instructs the men regarding the jump and their mission when on the ground. The platoon is tasked to set up roadblocks and hold a bridge along the Douve. Their drop zone is a mile beyond that of 2nd Battalion. Only seconds after the planes fly over the coast, the Germans man anti-aircraft guns and aim them toward the planes. Peterson is killed when flak hits the plane. The platoon is misdropped but they create a rallying point. Lt. Pauling splits his men up into three groups and they scout the area out small patrols. Mason sees a German sentry aiming his rifle at Cpl. Dreef and kills the sentry, which results in a firefight in which Cpl. Dreef is killed. Not having seen what Mason did, the others blame him for a hotheaded stunt. After the platoon meets back at their rallying point,