Caught between his peacetime life and his military duty, U. S. Navy Lt. Harry Brubaker (William Holden) is a WW2 pilot called back to service in Korea. Chief Mike Forney (Mickey Rooney) is a rescue pilot crewman, who's friendship is one of the foundations of Brubaker's military life, sometimes rescuing him and sometimes needing rescued himself. Over top of both of them is Admiral Tarrant (Fredric March), who lost his own son at Midway, looks on Brubaker like an adopted son and always manages to manipulate Brubaker to his will. At conflict with Admiral Tarrant is Brubaker's wife Nancy (Grace Kelly), who wants to bring her husband home. She unexpectedly arrives in Japan with their children for a surprise and finds that her husband is about ready to crack from combat fatigue. A struggle ensues will Brubaker return to home or will he take new and highly dangerous mission, destroying the Bridges of Toko-Ri.