Born on the Fourth of July

Born on the Fourth of July(1989)

Born on the Fourth of July is the feature film adaptation of an autobiographical novel written by Ron Kovic, a former US Marine who was paralyzed during the Vietnam War and his subsequent involvement in the anti-war movement. The film was directed by Oliver Stone and stars Tom Cruise as Kovic.

The following weapons were used in the film Born on the Fourth of July:

M1903 Springfield

During the 4th of July parade at the open of the film, ROTC cadets are seen marching with M1903 Springfield rifles. Also seen later in a 4th of July parade set in 1969.

M1903 Springfield

ROTC cadets marching with 1903 Springfield rifles.

ROTC cadets marching with 1903 Springfield rifles are met with more animosity in a 4th of July parade in 1969.

M14 Rifle

Ron Kovic (Tom Cruise) and his fellow Marines use M14 rifles during the Vietnam sequences, which take place in January 20th, 1968, when the rifle was in the process of being replaced by the M16A1 in the United States Marine Corps. The rifle is used in several pivotal sequences, including the accidental shooting of Vietnamese civilians in a hamlet, the death of one of Kovic's squadmates and finally when Kovic himself is paralyzed during an ambush.

M14 rifle - 7.62x51mm NATO

Several Marines on patrol with their M14s.

Kovic and his squad search a hamlet in Vietnam.

Kovic enters a hut armed with the M14.

Ron Kovic (Tom Cruise) fires his M14 after being ambushed by NVA forces.

Kovic tries to clear his jammed M14.

Kovic continues to fire his M14, despite being already wounded in the foot.

A close-up of Kovic's M14, firing on full auto. Note the blank shell casing.

M60

Marines can be seen using M60 machine guns as well as being mounted on Marine helicopters during the Vietnam scenes.

M60 machine gun 7.62x51mm NATO

A Marine M60 team opens fire.

A Marine on patrol with an M60 on his shoulder.

A Marine with a M60 falling back after being ambushed.

A Marine helicopter covers the Marines on patrol with an M60 mounted on the side.

M1911A1

A Marine fires a M1911A1 during the battle which paralyzes Kovic.

M1911A1

A Marine carrying an M20 Bazooka also carries the pistol in his left hand.

A Marine behind Kovic fires an M1911.

M20 'Super Bazooka'

A Marine can be briefly seen assembling a 3.5 inch M20 rocket launcher when Kovic's platoon is ambushed.

M20 Super Bazooka - 3.5inch

A Marine carrying an M20 Bazooka also carries the pistol in his left hand.

A Marine assembles his M20 rocket launcher.

Type 56 carbine SKS

North Vietnamese soldiers can be seen with SKS Type 56 rifles during the ambush of the Marines.

Chinese Type 56 Carbine aka the Chinese SKS rifle - 7.62x39mm. The Chinese SKS has a stamped receiver and a spike bayonet (aka a "pig sticker") much like one of their AK47 copies - the Type 56 assault rifle. This version, like many imported SKS rifles, have the infamous 'orange cratewood' stocks, probably the lowest quality wood in any mass produced rifle. Many SKS rifles during the Vietnam War were issued with reddish plastic stocks, because of the incidents of 'wood rot' in the humid SE Asian jungles.

A NVA soldier running with a Type 56 rifle.

Norinco Type 56

North Vietnamese soldiers fire Type 56 rifles during the ambush of Kovic's Marine platoon.

Norinco Type 56 (fixed stock variant) with under-folding bayonet ("pig sticker") - 7.62x39mm

NVA soldier fires his Type 56 from a fortified position. Note the closed front sight indicating that the rifle is a Type 56.

RPD

An RPD is seen being fired by a NVA soldier.

RPD

An NVA soldier fires the RPD at a Marine helicopter.