At a time when General Savage can use every man he has, he finds his worst goof-off is West Point Captain Joe Gallagher, son of a Pentagon General. At the risk of his own career, Savage cracks down when Gallagher persists in aborting missions at the first sign of engine trouble. He assigns Gallagher a crew of slackers, misfits, and excuse-makers and orders Gallagher to paint the name "Leper Colony" on his plane. Gallagher must make his crew into a top-notch combat unit and be over target the next time he's told, or he will face court-martial. The angry young man in Gallagher begins to whip his reckless crew into shape. He has already lost two brothers to the war and wants out of flying combat. When General Crowe offers Savage the opportunity to set up Gallagher with a desk job at Wing Command, Savage nevertheless keeps Gallagher in command of "The Leper Colony," whose crew of misfits are now a top crew. Savage thinks it's good news when Gallagher volunteers himself and his crew for a dangerous mission, but the young flier only wants to make a good mark for himself before leaving for that desk job. However, Gallagher actually distinguishes himself on the mission, flying a damaged plane while wounded himself, yet completing a successful bomb run.