No one is a better soldier than Pvt. Raymond Endore (John Saxon), at least in his own mind. Stationed in Korea as the conflict between the United States and the Asian nation is coming to an end, Endore sleeps while his platoon works to gear up for his nightly patrols of the area. These patrols used to bring vital information, but now they have become a nightly ritual for Endore to slash the throats of suspected enemies tolerated by a Captain (Charles Aidman) who fears Endore's unstable nature. A Korean war orphan (Tommy Matsuda) befriends Endore as well as an idealistic soldier (Robert Redford) and these two soldiers must decide the fate of the child as the Cease-Fire is announced.