I Wanted Wings

In 1940, a simulated air raid over Los Angeles ends in tragedy when one B-17 crashes in the desert on its way back. The dead body of a woman is found among the wreckage, and Second Lieutenant Jefferson Young III is accused of harboring an unauthorized civilian passenger. The incident triggers a court-martial while authorities review his past to determine guilt or innocence.

As the court-martial progresses, the military reviews Jeff's history, character, and prior actions to assess whether his disobedience constitutes a serious liability. The review aims to determine whether his judgement was compromised by personal relationships. The outcome will hinge on the context of Jeff's choices and whether there was intent.

Jeff joins the United States Army Air Corps and begins basic training in Texas. There he befriends Tom Cassidy and Al Ludlow, a mechanic, and the three form a strong support network as they train. Their camaraderie becomes a central thread through the early years.

Jeff meets Sally Vaughn and becomes entangled with her past, even as he has feelings for Carolyn Bartlett. The love triangle begins to complicate Jeff's choices and loyalties during training.

A pilot named Jimmy Masters crashes a burning plane while trying to avoid Tom. Jeff and Al respond as first responders, but Jeff falters and does not save Masters. Al ultimately rescues Masters, and Jeff's shame drives him to drink and go AWOL.

After the incident, Jeff confesses that he secretly continued to see Sally because she threatened to ruin his reputation, and he proposes to Carolyn. Carolyn accepts, giving Jeff a chance at redemption and a future away from the scandal.

During a later training at another airfield, the three friends push the limits by flying dangerously low for amusement. Tom Cassidy crashes and dies, and Al is discharged from the Air Corps as a result of the reckless stunt.

Sally tells Al and Carolyn that she is pregnant with Jeff's child, prompting emotional turmoil. Jeff admits he continued to see Sally to protect his own reputation, and Carolyn ends their engagement.

To shield Jeff and protect Sally from gossip, Al marries Sally. Later, Sally reveals she lied about the pregnancy and that Al already knew the truth. The couple's marriage fractures as Sally leaves.

After graduation, Jeff prepares for war-game training and meets Al again, now an enlisted crew chief on a B-17. Captain Mercer, their mentor and commander, works to reinstate Al as an officer candidate and pilot.

Sally shows up at the hangar begging Al for help, claiming she is wanted for murder. Al gives her money and promises to meet again, setting the stage for the fatal flight.

Sally hides in a bomber and takes off with Jeff at the controls. During the mission, an emergency flare is ignited by accident, and Mercer is burned and falls from the aircraft. Al leaps after him, rescuing Mercer, while Jeff manages to land the crippled bomber.

Back on the ground, Mercer needs to reach a hospital, but Jeff ignores orders to stay put and attempts to take off again. The risky move ends in disaster as the bomber crashes and Sally is killed.

Al testifies and reveals the full truth of the events, leading to Jeff being cleared of charges and later reunifying with Carolyn. Mercer begins the road to recovery while Al is reinstated as a pilot trainee.