Abner Luxor, owner of Luxor Studebaker New and Used Cars in Philadelphia, is abruptly recalled to active duty as a Coxswain (BM3) with expertise in amphibious landing operations. Abney finds himself transferred to an LST in the Western Pacific just after the North Koreans invaded South Korea. The US Navy is rebuilding its Pacific Fleet to fight against the North Korean Army that is pushing the ROK's and US Army back to Pusan, South Korea.
Abner's expertise in business administration and his past wartime experience in landing craft make him the man to train the LST crew on LCVP operations. This is very frustrating to a couple of Chief Petty Officers who are enraged that a pissy-assed (advanced) Boatswain's Mate Second Class is going to build this ship's amphibious crew into a fighting force. Adventures follow as the Sea Devil (LST-666) participates in the Inchon invasion, Wonsan landing, Iwon landing, Songjin landing, Chongjin landing, and Hungnam landing. During the Chongjin landing, the LST suffers damage from an unexpected reef requiring the ship to back all the way to Sasebo for repairs. Abney meets a wonderful Navy Nurse and things explode. The Sea Devil also participates in the Hungnam withdrawal, where Abner is wounded.
