Henry Nixon

US Marine Sgt John Basilone prepares to confront Japanese forces somewhere in the Pacific. Meanwhile, budding journalist Robert Leckie and Eugene Sledge enlist to serve for their country. Eight months after Pearl Harbor, the 1st Marine Division lands on Guadalcanal.

Sgt Basilone arrives in Guadalcanal, quickly earning the respect of his comrades for his leadership and valour in a series of skirmishes, but a naval bombardment and airfield assault pushes Basilone and his men to the limits of their endurance defending their territory.

The American soldiers arrive in Melbourne following their ordeal at Guadalcanal and are greeted as heroes by the Australian public. Leckie falls for a local woman, and Basilone is honoured for his bravery in battle but finds his new-found fame back home has a downside.