Men Must Fight

Nurse Laura Mattson cares for Lt. Geoffrey Aiken after his first mission. They quickly fall in love despite knowing each other for only a few days. Geoffrey is fatally wounded and dies, leaving Laura to cope with the loss and the unborn child.

Edward Seward, who loves Laura, persuades her to marry him for stability and social standing. For years to come, it is believed the child is Seward's, giving the family a veneer of legitimacy. Laura agrees, setting up a hidden paternity that will echo through their lives.

By 1940, Laura's son Bob has grown into a young man and is being raised with a pacifist worldview. She reinforces the belief that war should be avoided whenever possible. The conflict between his upbringing and his biological father's legacy creates ongoing tension in the family.

Edward Seward rises to United States Secretary of State and negotiates the Seward Peace Treaty, which he claims will forever prevent war. He publicly touts the treaty as proof that America can lead the world to peace. Privately, he hopes the arrangement will reflect well on his family name.

The US ambassador to Eurasia is assassinated while en route to discuss a prior incident, triggering a strong US reaction. The President orders the US Navy to cross the Atlantic and demand a formal apology. Eurasia refuses to comply, making another global conflict seem inevitable.

As diplomatic channels fail, war looms and preparations accelerate across nations. The peace era Seward hoped for slips away, and the world readies for a brutal conflict. The sense of impending war permeates government and families alike.

Laura takes the stage at a major peace rally, arguing for diplomacy and restraint. Her public stance contrasts with Edward's political ambitions and the rally's growing tension. The event underscores the nation's divide as war edges closer.

A mob gathers outside the Seward home, pelting the house with debris and shouting threats. Edward disperses the crowd by appealing to free speech and pledges himself to the fight once war is declared. A reporter interviews him, and he declares that his son will enlist, fueling the conflict further.

Edward privately confirms to Bob that he is not his biological father. Laura then reveals Geoffrey Aiken as Bob's real father and recounts how his death shaped Bob's life. The revelation tests family loyalties and personal identities.

War escalates and the conflict takes a brutal toll on both fronts. Edward privately tells Laura that the war is going badly, noting the canal's fall and 12,000 American troops killed in two days by enemy gas bombs. The grim news highlights the costs of the failed peace.

Eurasia launches an air raid on New York City, destroying landmarks including the Empire State Building and the Brooklyn Bridge. Hundreds are killed and Laura is injured, though not fatally. The attack demonstrates war’s reach into civilian life.

Bob changes his stance and enlists as an aviator, embracing the legacy of his real father rather than his pacifist upbringing. He marries Peggy Chase and soon departs with his squadron, setting off for dangerous missions ahead. The family braces for separation as war rages on.

Watching Bob’s squadron fly over the city, Laura realizes that freedom is not free and that people must be prepared to defend it. The moment crystallizes the film's message about duty, sacrifice, and the cost of liberty. It marks the emotional culmination of her long struggle between pacifism and responsibility.