Set aboard the USS Oriskany aircraft carrier in the Sea of Japan during the Korean War, the story follows author James A. Michener (Louis Calhern) as he meets Commander and flight surgeon Kent Dowling (Walter Pidgeon), who recounts a remarkable "Christmas story." Ensign Kenneth Schecter (Dewey Martin) is part of the VF 192 squadron, piloting Grumman F9F Panther fighter-bombers tasked with repeatedly destroying an enemy railroad that is quickly rebuilt after each attack. The squadron faces mounting danger, including Lieutenant Commander Paul Grayson (Frank Lovejoy) being shot down and rescued and veteran pilot Lieutenant Commander Ted Dodson (Keenan Wynn) criticizing Grayson's combat tactics, only to later perish in a landing accident when his damaged plane explodes. During their 27th mission on Christmas Day, Schecter is struck by enemy fire and blinded. Guided by Lieutenant Thayer (Van Johnson) via radio, Schecter miraculously lands safely on the carrier deck. The squadron celebrates Schecter’s survival, while also mourning the loss of comrades like Dodson. Cast: - Van Johnson as Lieutenant (jg) Howard Thayer - Walter Pidgeon as Commander Kent Dowling - Louis Calhern as James A. Michener - Dewey Martin as Ensign Kenneth Schechter - Keenan Wynn as Lieutenant Commander Ted Dodson - Frank Lovejoy as Lieutenant Commander Paul Grayson - Robert Horton as Ensign Neil Conovan - Bert Freed as Lieutenant (jg) Andrew Szymanski - Lewis Martin as Commander Michael Coughlin - George Cooper as Cyril Roberts - Dick Simmons as Lieutenant Wayne Kimbrell - Ann Baker as Mary, Schechter's fiancée Runtime: 79 minutes.