Onionhead

In spring 1941, Al Woods quits an Oklahoma college after a quarrel with his sweetheart Jo and signs up for the armed forces. He ends up in the Coast Guard almost by chance when a coin flip lands him there. After boot training, he's assigned to the buoy tender Periwinkle in Boston as ship's cook, despite having no cooking experience. He faces immediate hostility from Chief Red Wildoe, new crew mates Gutsell and Poznicki, and from his demanding department head, Higgins.

In a Boston bar, Al is drawn to Stella, but she seems to enjoy seducing men rather than committing to them. He befriends Gutsell by fixing him up with Stella's friend and begins learning the cook's trade from Wildoe. His inexperience leads to a string of embarrassing kitchen mistakes, while Stella's hold over him wavers as he longs for more than casual company.

Pearl Harbor is attacked and the United States enters World War II. In the ensuing chaos, Wildoe abruptly proposes to Stella and they marry, sparking jealousy in Al. A raucous celebration erupts at the wedding as Al provokes a fight with soldiers who seem to know Stella.

With Wildoe assigned to another vessel for convoy duty at sea, Stella begins seeing other men. Al tries to shield Wildoe by discouraging the behavior, but ultimately cannot stop Stella's influence over the situation. He remains tied to the Periwinkle and his duties aboard.

Back on the Periwinkle, Al is promoted to ship's chief cook and takes charge of meals for the crew. He still must prove himself to Wildoe, Higgins, and the rest of the crew despite his prior missteps. The role cements his rising status within the ship's hierarchy.

Higgins, now executive officer, is discovered entering amounts less than they pay for the cost of officers' meals to the ledger of the ship's mess and pocketing the difference. He purchases substandard food for the crew to keep the mess budget from showing a deficit. He objects to finding Al's hair in his food, so Al shaves his scalp bald and earns the nickname Onionhead.

Convinced that all officers are in on the embezzlement, Al bypasses normal channels and reports the theft to the District Office. The move triggers internal agency scrutiny and puts the captain in a difficult position. He later learns the allegations may not be as clear-cut as he first believed.

During leave to attend his father's funeral, Al reconnects with Jo and realizes that she is the one he truly loves. The moment reframes his priorities as he returns to the ship. The distance and time apart intensify his feelings for Jo.

Back in port, Wildoe asks Al to fetch Stella from a bar when recalled to his ship. Stella tries to seduce Al, who refuses and calls her a tramp. She asserts that she cannot help what she is, underscoring the tension surrounding her moral ambiguity.

The Periwinkle plays a major role in sinking a submarine during combat, showcasing Al's resourcefulness and bravery. However, his unsubstantiated accusation of embezzlement has already tainted the captain's honor and invites a board of investigation that threatens the ship's reputation. He privately slips the proof to the captain, attempting to correct the record without public exposure.

In a tense meeting with the executive officer, the captain rebukes Al for failing to bring proof earlier and warns of punishment for making unsubstantiated charges. He also orders Higgins to repay the embezzled funds before any court-martial. The captain's treatment of Al underscores the tragedy of cheap reputational damage during wartime.

Despite the fallout, the captain grants Al leave to marry Jo before he ships out for Greenland. The leave confirms the human element behind wartime decisions and closes the narrative arc with a personal resolution. Al departs with Jo's blessing, stepping toward a life away from the Periwinkle.