Despite being welcomed home as a hero, youthful Marine Cliff Harper (Guy Madison) tries to forget the horrific violence of World War II as he faces uncertainty, unemployment and post-traumatic stress. While transitioning back to civilian life, Cliff falls for Pat Ruscomb (Dorothy McGuire), a grieving widow haunted by the loss of her pilot husband. Cliff struggles to convince Pat to join him in a mutual new beginning, but first she must overcome her longing for her life before the war.