Jed Stringer is reared in Japan, where friendships with the local children are first made, then torn asunder. His Japanese friends turn on him after he becomes the Junior Judo Champion.War looms, forcing Jed and his family to leave Japan and return to the USA in 1937.His journey through high school and college is beset with people of little understanding of his 'different' ways.He enlists in the Marines at the outbreak of war and again comes up against prejudice from the men and his superiors.During a battle in the Solomon Islands, he is betrayed and put on trial for his life. The charge: cowardice. When sentenced to death by firing squad, he escapes and sets about trying to clear his name.