描绘了关键的1942年在10月至11月五周的期间,海军上将哈尔西(詹姆斯卡格尼)参加了处于困境的美国南太平洋部队司令部 ,这成为在反对日本帝国在第二次世界大战斗争的转折点。这故事是倒叙的手法,由哈尔西在1947年退休仪式开始。
After killing an unknown man for an unknown reason, a mysterious drifter turns himself to the law under a false name, intending to protect his own family's honor. But when the news of his conviction breaks, the drifter's sister considers the possibility that the man is her long-lost brother.