The story of Eddie Slovik, who was executed by the Army in 1945, the only American soldier to be executed for desertion since the Civil War.
Determined to put his criminal record behind him, Eddie Slovik (Martin Sheen) finds a wife, settles down and thinks himself fortunate not to be drafted, owing to his prison record. But when the rules of the draft change, Eddie finds himself at boot camp, where he is hopelessly inept as a soldier. Nevertheless, his superiors cheat to push him through, and Eddie quickly proves just as much of a bungler on the front line until he finally chooses to desert -- an act that will have dire consequences.
