 Cadet Captain Rockwell "Rocky" Gilman (Alan Ladd) faces charges before an investigating committee at West Point that threatens to destroy him and discredit the school. The investigation was instigated by financier Raymond Denmore (Harold Vermilyea) because of his son s vindictiveness toward Rocky, who, for cause, forced his resignation from the Academy. The hearing reveals that Rocky is a guilt-ridden World War II hero and holder of the D.S.C who believes that he was responsible for the death of his commanding officer in a Tunisian skirmish, Captain Harry Daniels (Tom Neal), and that he is in love with the widow, Ann (Donna Reed).