Three servicemen, Al Stephenson (Fredric March), Fred Derry (Dana Andrews) and Homer Parrish (Harold Russell) return to their home town, Boone City, after serving their country in the military in World War Two. Al, the oldest of the veterans in his forties, returns to being a banker and to a family who has managed to do well without him while he was gone. Fred, who worked on a bomber crew in the air force, got used to having a lot of responsibility. Now the only job that waits for him is behind the soda counter at a local drug store. Even his girl, whom he married quickly before he left, doesn't respect him out of uniform. The one who, at least outwardly, has the most difficulty adjusting to civilian life is Homer who lost both hands in a fire aboard a ship in the navy. He has metal hooks he can use, but he fears his girlfriend won't love him with his deformity.