In 1944 Peter Gayford, at the age of seventeen, rescues an airman from a crashed USAAF bomber. The Americans give him a medal. In June, army trucks pass his home; Peter joins them and drives a truck over the Channel to France on D Day. Peter has a dead soldier s paybook. His truck is blown up and with multiple burns he is unconscious for days and on return is identified as this man. Difficulties arise when he meets the dead soldier s family. Romance develops between Peter, his nurse, the dead soldier s widow and her mother. Peter eventually receives more medals for his gallantry including a Purple Heart for rescuing an American GI. The story ends with Peter marrying the dead soldier s widow.
