CaptainJosiahNewmanrunstheneuro-psychiatricwardofanArizonadeserthospitalduringWorldWarII.Heoftenusesunconventionalmeansandpeopletomatch,includinghisneworderly,JacksonLeibowitz.AmongthepatientsintheirwardisthesuicidalColonelBliss,whoeventuallyclimbsatopawatertower,andabattle-scarredcorporalnamedTompkinswhorevealsunderthespellofsodiumpentothalthesourceofhisdistress.NewmanalsoassistsinthemaritallovelifeofCaptainWinstonwhileenjoyingaflirtationortwowithhisownchiefnurse,LieutenantCorum.