Prior to the Normandy landings three replacements are assigned to the 1st Platoon, "D" Company, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment. Amongst them is Private Mason (Tom Tryon) who doesn't get along with his fellow paratroopers but is kept in the unit by his platoon commander Lt. Pauling (Jan Merlin). Soon after the drop, Lt. Pauling is blinded and Mason learns how to be a paratrooper when he takes care of his Lieutenant.