In 1961, at the height of the Cold War, seven young guys go on a self-styled goodwill mission through Latin America aboard a surplus military amphibian they call ‘El Pato Valiente,’ or The Valiant Duck. They launch on NBC’s ‘Today’ show, and shoot 16mm film along the way. Their obstacles are many — lack of funds, skeptical border guards, hostile students, mechanical breakdowns, and roadside bandits. But the most formidable is the water crossing from Panama to Colombia. Against the warnings of many, they took what precautions they could then took to the seas. After three days of struggle, they find themselves shipwrecked and marooned in the jungle. Their eventual escape and continuance is thanks to JFK, who stood up for the young friendship ambassadors.