A narrator (Robert Montgomery) tells the introspective tale of an American naval hero. When his long-time valet from the service, Manuel (Leon Lontac) asks retiring Vice Admiral William ‘Bull’ Halsey (James Cagney) what he remembers most from his service, the leader recalls the few weeks during World War II that made the most impact on the Allied victory in the South Pacific by outmaneuvering the Japanese. Because battle strategies come by orders of men far away from the action, Halsey must suffer his decisions in a vast ocean, learning and imagining only what death and destruction his orders have created. His aides like Lt. Commander Andy Lowe (Dennis Weaver) and Lt. Commander Roy Webb (Richard Jaeckel) learn hard lessons about leadership.