Tom Lockridge is a copilot on a mission where the pilot is killed, and he takes over, allowing the crew to bail out. His best friend, Captain Wade Ritchie, disobeys orders and flies cover with his B-17. Back on the ground, Savage tells Ritchie he is going to charge him with disobeying an order for leaving formation. When Lockridge returns and finds this out, he turns his back on the General. Savage tries to explain formation discipline to Lockridge, but he is only concerned about his friend. Ritchie draws a court-martial and is reduced in rank to 1st Lieutenant. Savage speaks to Libby MacAndrews, Lockridge's girl, and they both keep working on him. On the next mission, Lieutenant Ritchie flies as copilot with Savage, and they get hit; Lockridge, now an aircraft commander, realizes he can't break formation.

General Crowe orders Savage to fly a dangerous mission over France to show support for the resistance, but Savage thinks it's because Crowe's in love with a beautiful French fighter there. Crowe's command judgment comes under fire when this risky mission results in high casualties.