描绘了关键的1942年在10月至11月五周的期间,海军上将哈尔西(詹姆斯卡格尼)参加了处于困境的美国南太平洋部队司令部 ,这成为在反对日本帝国在第二次世界大战斗争的转折点。这故事是倒叙的手法,由哈尔西在1947年退休仪式开始。The Gallant Hours depicts the crucial five-week period in October-November 1942 after Admiral Halsey took command of the beleaguered American forces in the South Pacific Area. That period of combat became a turning point in the struggle against the Japanese Empire during the World War II. The story is told in flashback, framed by Halsey's ceremony of going on inactive duty in 1947.