The year is 1952 in Korea when there are only three survivors of a 56-man US Marine unit after a nightlong series of Chinese suicide attacks on an outpost. Severe mutilations render one of the Marines into a helpless state and he is a victim of cruel treatment from his parents after returning home. The platoon commander emerges from the battlefield minus both feet and is determined to overcome his handicap and climbs mountains with prosthetic feet. During the time of struggling to become successful in New York City he finds the love of his life and they eventually embark together on an adventurous life in foreign lands. The third member of the ill-fated platoon, after Korea and three tours of Vietnam, returns to the USA and distinguishes himself in a heroic ordeal.