It is 1953. Soon to be drafted into the Korean War, Charlie Rote first seeks fame and fortune in Florida. He and friend Slick take a job on a Cuban banana boat and find they are involved in gun smuggling and an underground movement to overthrow the Batista government. Back home Charlie is embarrassed by his aborted trip. However Charlie becomes a town celebrity when the local newspapers discover and report his Cuban underground experiences. Charlie meets Russ Howell an ex-paratrooper and War veteran. Russ convinces Charlie to become a paratrooper to find his adventures. Charlie joins the Army, goes Airborne and shares with us the mental and physical rigors along with the pride in being a paratrooper. Charlie also finds some criminal activities which he exposes to help his Airborne Division bring justice.