In 1936, in fascist Italy, soldiers break into a home where young Tadzio de Santis is playing the piano. His parents are killed, and he is taken for a secret experiment to create a super soldier. Dr. Maria Vaselli, who was working on the project, escapes when she sees the boy but he is subjected to the experiment and becomes known as the "Red Skull."

Seven years later, in 1943, the US President is informed about Project Rebirth. Dr. Vaselli has escaped to the US and is ready to help create a super soldier like the German Red Skull. They choose young Steve Rogers for the experiment. After the procedure, Dr. Vaselli is killed by a German spy, making Steve the first and only super soldier. He is sent on a mission to Germany, equipped with a special suit and a round shield with a star. Captain America infiltrates a German base using his shield for defense and as a weapon, but Red Skull defeats him. Tied to a rocket, Captain America manages to redirect it, saving New York City.

In the 1990s, a grown-up Tom Campbell, who had seen Captain America as a child, is now the President of the United States. He faces threats from General Fleming and Red Skull, who plan to manipulate him. Meanwhile, Captain America is found frozen in Alaska and escapes. President Campbell, realizing Captain America is the hero from his childhood, tasks his childhood friend Sam Kolawetz with finding him. However, Red Skull sends his daughter, Valentina de Santis, to kill Captain America.