In East Texas, the Smiths and the Hamiltons are neighbors in the farm community of Hopkins County. They know little of each other when the news of Pearl Harbor sweeps the nation. Red Smith is drafted into the Army. Red visits the Hamilton family before leaving. He and Judy Hamilton grow close as he bids farewell. Judy promises to write letters to him. Red wishes she will.
Red and three new buddies meet at Basic Training. They remain close as they are sent to Hawaii, Australia, Solomon Islands, and the Philippines. They experience bitter combat in the hot, steamy jungles of the South Pacific. Judy writes as she promised. One buddy is wounded on Leyte and is replaced by a young Texan soldier. Two are injured on Mindanao and are sent home.
Red and his buddy see the war end on Mindanao. They are sent to Occupied Japan and are discharged by Christmas 1945. Red returns home to Texas. Judy is waiting. They are married three months later. Red helps the Hamilton family harvest their cotton. Afterward, Red and Judy Smith follow agriculture into west Texas and Arizona, finding Paradise is in everyday happiness.
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