Sgt. Thorne Ryan, who once fought bravely in Korea, now serves as a hard-nosed drill instructor to new Army recruits at Fort Bliss, Texas. But is he really the man he is often described as? His fellow instructor, and friend helps him to face the ghosts of his past experiences in Korea. One night in a bar across the border in Juarez, Mexico, Sgt. Ryan meets a lady who begins to turn his life around. Will this be enough to help him deal with the past? Or will he continue to be so hard on his troops?
Richard Widmark
as Sgt. Thorne Ryan
Karl Malden
as Sgt. Laverne Holt
Elaine Stewart
as Julie Mollison
Carleton Carpenter
as Merton "Tex" Tolliver
Russ Tamblyn
as Paul Jamison
Jerome Courtland
as Elvin C. Carey
Steve Forrest
as Lobo Nagalaski
Robert Arthur
as Donald Quentin Dover IV
Maurice Jara
as Franklin D. No Bear
William Hairston
as Daniel Hazard
Bert Freed
as Sgt. Vince Opperman
Acquanetta
as Bar Girl (uncredited)