During the Battle of the Bulge in 1944 , the Germans open fire on their American prisoners of war , in what is known as the Malmedy massacre , killing many troops as they try to run away . Medic Steven Gould ( Alexander Niver ) manages to escape with Corporal Nathan ' Deacon ' Greer ( Corbin Allred ) . Gould and Deacon are joined by two other survivors , Shirl Kendrick ( Larry Bagby ) , a member in Gould 's division , and Deacon 's close friend Sergeant Gordon Gunderson ( Peter Asle Holden ) . The four stumble on RAF pilot Flight Sergeant Oberon Winley ( Kirby Heyborne ) . Winley explains he has important intelligence photographs he has to get back to the Allies and the group decide to try and reach the Allied lines some 20 miles away . The group fights against German troops , a winter storm , and personal conflict to return Winley to Allied territory
Malmedy massacre
Malmedy massacre
Saints and Soldiers