The Steel Helmet is a 1951 American independent Korean War film directed, written and produced by Samuel Fuller. The film stars Gene Evans, Robert Hutton, Steve Brodie, James Edwards and Richard Loo. It was the first American film about the war and the first of several war films by Fuller.

Plot

In Korea, U.S. Army Sergeant Zack survives a massacre of American prisoners of war by the Korean People's Army after his M1 helmet saves him from a bullet intended for his head. Left bound and injured as the sole survivor of his surrendered unit, Zack struggles to climb a steep hill and freezes at the approach of a Buddhist boy with a gun who frees him and treats his wounds with sulfa powder. When the boy refuses to leave, Zack relents, dubs him "Short Round" and directs him to gather clothing and equipment from his dead comrades to join him as he tries to find friendly lines.