During the Korean War, Sgt. Paul Ryker is arrested as a traitor, convicted, and sentenced to hang. His wife, Ann, charges that the trial was unfair and persuades the prosecuting attorney, Capt. David Young, to conduct a personal investigation. Convinced that, at least technically, Ryker's defense was improperly handled, Young attempts to investigate Ryker's claim that he was sent behind North Korean lines on a secret mission by Colonel Chalmers (who is now dead) to plug a security leak. Young talks Gen. Amos Bailey into granting a stay of execution and a new trial, and appointing Young as Ryker's defense attorney. Young's efforts to help Ryker are complicated, however, when Ryker flies into a rage upon learning that Young has fallen in love with Ann. The new prosecuting attorney, Major Whitaker, produces two witnesses who add seemingly more proof of Ryker's defection, and the defendant only makes matters worse by losing his temper during cross-examination, bluntly stating that he has received only abuse from his own countrymen whereas the enemy made him an officer and treated him with honor. Even Young now feels that Ryker's case is lost, but last-minute testimony from Sgt. Max Winkler convinces the court that the dead colonel frequently gave secret orders without keeping an official record. Ryker is finally acquitted, and Ann decides to remain with her husband.