New York policeman and Olympic javelin thrower Phil Donlan is on his way to the 1936 Olympic Games when he meets lovely Paula Denbrough on the ocean liner to Europe. Paula is planning to marry playboy Steve Lodge, but her father, a colonel with the Marine Corps, uses his influence to prevent the marriage. Paula believes that Phil is at fault and exacts revenge by exaggerating some of Phil's pranks into a scandal that causes his expulsion from the Olympics team and later from the NYPD. Paula and Phil fall in love on the return trip, but Phil has no career prospects and wishes to impress Paula, so he joins the Marines. When Paula and Phil's romance ends, Phil declares that he will become an officer in order that he may resign his commission and leave the Marines.
Phil shows great physical strength and leadership qualities, and he is rapidly promoted to the rank of corporal, and later, the acting first sergeant. He volunteers for duty in the South Seas and singlehandedly quashes a rebellion by challenging the natives to spear-throwing competitions that win their respect. When commissioned as a second lieutenant, Phil plans his resignation but faces a revolt by the natives, who do not respect Phil's replacement.
