The movie “The Last Full Measure” is based on the story of Vietnam War hero William H. Pitsenbarger (Pits). He was a U.S. Air Force paratrooper.
During a rescue mission in 1966, Pits decided to save wounded soldiers who were under heavy fire. After doing so and saving many, he was ordered to get in the helicopter and fly out of the battle. Pits refused the order and gave his own life in an attempt to continue rescuing soldiers.
32 years after the incident, a Pentagon employee (Huffman) is assigned to investigate the incident, as Pits is to receive the “Medal of Honor” afterwards. He finds out about the deeds of Pits and their comrades and uncovers a decades-long conspiracy. Since Pits' death, the Air Force had never suggested the names of the soldiers for the Medal of Honor. He tries to have Pits awarded the Medal of Honor after the fact, but that turns out to be difficult. The officer who commanded the mission at the time is now a US senator and is seeking re-election. When the award is not approved, Huffman goes public with Pits' story and the President subsequently awards Pits the Medal of Honor.