Born on the day his father died a hero in WWI, Woodrow Layfayette Pershing Truesmith (Eddie Bracken) enlists proudly when World War II begins. Although anxious to serve his country, Woodrow is quickly discharged because of his chronic hay fever. Ashamed to return to his home and his girlfriend (Ella Raines), he takes a shipyard job while his buddies forward home his letters from the "Pacific." How the "conquering hero" overcomes his friends, his hometown"s political cronies and the mayor"s son makes for another great Preston Sturges satire on the American penchant for hero worship.