Bud Dolliver, a former WWII hero and an ex-convict, returns to his hometown in an effort to make a new life for himself, but even with help from cannery worker Lou Jellison he finds living down his reputation difficult. He manages to get a job at Kelsey's Boat Yard because an accident caused by Kelsey Bunker's no-good son Junior endangered Bud's life and revealed his excellent war record. He does well at the job, but Joe Pettigrew (NOT played by Gig Young), personnel manager of the cannery, is jealous of Lou's feeling for Bud. He frames Bud for a robbery committed by himself and Junior Bunker. Bud's alibi is weak because he is trying to protect Lou's reputation as on the night of the robbery they were out of the state trying to get married.