Marion “Hedge” Hedgepeth, a young Marine recruit during World War II, begins his journey in the military but soon faces an unexpected setback. He washes out during basic training in San Diego, earning the unflattering nickname "Baby Blue Marine" because he is sent home dressed in a plain, leftover military surplus uniform that is tinted in a faded blue shade. This uniform, post-discharge, symbolizes his failure to complete his training and serves as a reminder of his brief stint in the Marines.
On his journey back to his hometown of St. Louis, Hedge encounters a battle-hardened Marine Raider veteran at a stopover. This veteran, whose appearance is marked by prematurely gray hair and numerous decorations from his service, is reluctant to return to the horrors of war himself. After a tense exchange, the veteran forcibly knocks out Hedge and trades uniforms with him, leaving Hedge now wearing the decorated Raider’s gear, making him appear as a seasoned soldier.
While hitchhiking towards St. Louis in his new uniform, Hedge arrives in the charming small town of Bidwell, California, nestled beneath Mount Shasta. The town is vibrant and welcoming, with many young men away serving in the war. Hedge’s decorated uniform quickly earns him the admiration of the local community, turning him into a sort of hero in the eyes of the residents. The townspeople see him as a symbol of patriotism and bravery, even though his true story remains hidden.
During his stay, Hedge meets several key characters. At the local diner, he befriends Glynnis O'Connor, who plays Rose, a recent high school graduate and a kind-hearted waitress. Rose becomes a close confidante, inviting Hedge to stay with her family, where he bunkers with her brother, Barney. He also strikes up a friendship with Richard Gere, who plays Raider, the decorated veteran whose uniform Hedge is now wearing. Hedge confesses his true identity to Rose one day, revealing that he is not truly a Raider but someone who took on the role out of circumstance. He chooses to keep silent about the veteran’s identity to protect him from repercussions.
The story deepens as local tensions rise with the mistreatment of Japanese Americans interned in nearby camps. When three American-born teenagers escape from a Japanese American internment camp, the local community mobilizes to find them. The town’s young but inexperienced military personnel, including a local Adam Arkin playing Pvt. Phelps, join the effort. Hedge, along with Katherine Helmond as Mrs. Hudkins and other townspeople, searches the woods for the missing boys. Hedge finds the boys first and learns they are desperate to return to San Francisco, frustrated by their unjust detention and eager to reclaim normal life.
However, the situation turns increasingly tense. Private Phelps, overwhelmed with the anti-Japanese sentiment among some locals, becomes aggressive and impatient. From a nearby ridge, Phelps unintentionally spots Hedge and the boys and, driven by hostility, shoots at Hedge. The bullet hits Hedge, causing him to fall into a rushing mountain stream. Barely clinging to life, Hedge is rescued by the Japanese-American boys, with help from Mr. Elmore and a remorseful Phelps, who realize the gravity of their actions. Hedge sustains heavy injuries, bleeding heavily, and is at risk of drowning in the tumultuous rapids.
In a moment of vulnerability, Hedge confesses to Rose that he might not survive. He urges her to tell everyone the true story of his identity and his experiences, emphasizing the importance of honesty and the dangers of false appearances during such turbulent times. His act of bravery and compassion illustrates the complex human emotions and prejudices experienced during war, especially in a community torn between loyalty, fear, and justice.
After the war concludes, Hedge returns to Bidwell and Rose, now having served with distinction as a corporal in the U.S. Third Army under General Patton. His time in the military—marked by both his brief, false identity and the genuine sacrifices he made—has transformed him. His story highlights themes of identity, heroism, and the power of truth amid the chaos of war, revealing how personal courage can transcend superficial appearances, even in the face of prejudice and misunderstanding.
