The draft and the Korean War threaten a small-town romance.

In a small Connecticut town, devoted father George Kress, Sr. asks his boss, contractor Martin Greer, to classify his son as "indispensable" to the company so that George Kress, Jr. will not be drafted for the Korean War. Despite Kress's pleadings, Martin decides he cannot grant the request. That same night, when Martin's carefree younger brother Jack meets his love, Carrie Turner, at the train station upon her return from college. Although Carrie focuses her attentions on her parents, Judge and Mrs. Turner, she whispers to Jack to call her. The next day Martin asks his old friend, retired colonel Harvey Landrum, to work for him, but Harvey has decided his skills are needed in the war effort instead. That evening, when the two meet on the street, George, Jr. questions Martin about his three years of service and Martin invites him to a beer at the local café. Just as bartender Ned Iverson refuses to serve the underage George, Jr., a radio broadcast announces that military personnel are being called up to assist the South Koreans in their war against North Korea. Ned then serves George, Jr. a beer while the older men at the counter soberly watch. Martin returns home to his wife Nancy, who asks him to write a letter stating that Jack is "essential" to the family business so that he can avoid the draft. Later that night, Carrie explains to Jack that, although she has feelings for him, she wants to finish her studies and travel. Jack, interested only in romance, kisses her. When Carrie returns home, the judge voices his disapproval of Jack's courtship, but Carrie asserts that Jack is just a diversion. In his study, Martin begins to write a letter exempting Jack from the draft, but cannot complete it after hearing a radio announcement that the American Air Force has made their first strike on North Korea. Consequently Jack is called before the draft board, among whose members is the judge, who lectures him on America's obligation to protect freedom abroad. Jack is drafted, and on the night of his departure, voices his protest over being forced to serve in the military. Nancy retorts that, although she does not like war, she thinks Jack is acting like an irresponsible, pampered child. Nancy's comments shock the family and Martin tells her they were unnecessary. Later, Carrie secretly visits Jack in the garage and when he blames the judge for his predicament, she defends her father by explaining that he still suffers pain from the shrapnel lodged in his leg during World War II. Jack apologizes to Carrie and then asks her to marry him, but she declines. That night, upset by Jack's departure, his mother Sarah looks at all the weapons and military relics hanging on her living room walls and tells her husband Thomas to remove them, saying there will be "no more professional heroes in the house." Thomas then admits to Sarah that the stories about his own heroic duty during WW II were all lies. Sometime later, Carrie, home from college for her birthday, explains to Nancy that she wants to try to make things work with Jack. Nancy tells her that Jack will soon be home on a ten day furlough before he is shipped overseas. Carrie decides to leave college and wait for Jack to return. When the judge protests her decision, Carrie argues that she wants to give her relationship with Jack a chance. Days later, Jack is returning home by train from basic training and meets Harvey, who has been fighting in the war. Harvey informs him that George, Jr. is missing in action. Consequently, when Harvey meets Martin at the town café, he finds Kress there as well, drunk and brooding over his son's disappearance. Harvey tries to recruit Martin for his outfit but Martin refuses his entreaties. Meanwhile Kress's cries grow louder and he stands up and loudly blames Martin for George, Jr.'s disappearance. Later that night, when Martin tells Nancy that he has changed his mind and feels he should serve, she reminds him that he did serve for four years and that she suffered. Soon after, on the night Martin is being shipped out, Jack and Carrie espouse their love for each other and Thomas admits to Martin that he lied about his heroism during his service. Days later, Carrie and Jack marry before Jack is shipped out and the judge jokingly admits that when he was at their age, he did not listen to his father either.