American soldiers going through basic training and eagerly awaiting their first taste of battle are frustrated by a series of non-combat assignments. All this changes when they are called up to fight in a gruelling engagement in the South Pacific. Second World War drama, based on the novel by Leon Uris, starring Van Heflin, Aldo Ray, Tab Hunter, Mona Freeman and Dorothy Malone.

The dramatic story of US Marines in training, in combat, and in love, during World War II. The story centers on a major who guides the raw recruits from their training to combat.