Whisked away from Panama and reassigned to recently liberated Pacific island, Cherry Ames gets two surprises - a promotion to first lieutenant, and assignment as chief nurse to an evac hospital that will soon be built on a neighboring isle. In addition to the heat and the constant work, sick and wounded men, and an attempt by the Japanese to retake the place, Cherry has to cope with the local officer commanding - an Old Army, by the book lieutenant colonel who disapproves of her and her nurses.