The Army Trial: A Heart Full of Promises

Originally Aired: June 25, 1955

The Army Trial: A Heart Full of Promises

In this tragic and unforgettable episode of Gunsmoke, Marshal Matt Dillon is forced to intervene when dreams of freedom and love collide with the harsh discipline of army law.

Jed Cook, a weary army sergeant stationed at Fort Dodge, deserts his post, desperate to start a new life with his fiancée, Della Masters. But their dreams crumble when Matt recognizes Jed during a chance encounter on the open prairie and arrests him for desertion.

Jed faces a court-martial, sentenced to two years of hard labor. Della, furious and heartbroken, vows that nothing—not the army, not the law—will stand between them. As Jed is being transported to Leavenworth, he escapes into the vast Kansas frontier, determined to reach the place he and Della had planned to reunite.

Matt knows Della holds the key to finding Jed. Despite Della’s stubborn defiance and threats, he follows her trail into the wilderness. But by the time Matt finds Jed, it’s too late—Jed has been captured and tortured by Indians, left dying in the dust.

In a heart-wrenching final moment, Della realizes that all her desperate plans only cost them the life they dreamed of. As she buries Jed on the open prairie—“about as far west as he’ll ever get”—Della is left to confront the bitter consequences of love, impatience, and a world that does not bend for broken hearts.

A devastating portrait of dreams crushed by duty, The Army Trial stands among Gunsmoke’s most emotionally wrenching episodes.

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Cast: William Conrad (Matt Dillon), Parley Baer (Chester), Howard McNear (Doc), Georgia Ellis (Kitty), Vivi Janiss (Della Masters), Lawrence Dobkin (Jed Cook), Harry Bartell (Lt. Dussman), Jim Nusser (Moss Grimmick).

Welcome to Gunsmoke: Old West Stories, a podcast that takes you back to the rugged plains of 1870s Dodge City, Kansas. Rediscover the timeless tales of bravery, justice, and survival in the American frontier with our re-broadcasts of the classic Gunsmoke radio program.

First airing on April 26, 1952, Gunsmoke was celebrated as the first adult western radio show, renowned for its superb storytelling and exceptional production quality. Join Marshal Matt Dillon, portrayed by the incomparable William Conrad, as he faces the challenges of maintaining law and order in a tumultuous town. Alongside him are unforgettable characters like Chester Proudfoot (Parley Baer), the steadfast deputy; Kitty (Georgia Ellis), the resilient saloon owner; and Doc Adams (Howard McNear), the town’s compassionate physician.

What sets Gunsmoke apart is not just its stellar cast and engaging plots but the immersive sound effects that bring each scene to life. Every gunshot, horse gallop, and whisper of the wind transports you directly to the heart of the Old West.

Whether you're a longtime fan or a new listener, Gunsmoke: Old West Stories promises to deliver gripping adventures and a nostalgic journey through one of radio’s most iconic series. Tune in and let the legends of Dodge City captivate your imagination.