Filmed with the full cooperation of the U.S. Marine Corps, TO THE SHORES OF TRIPOLI tells the story of a spoiled cadet, Chris Withers, who's head is a little too big for the Marines. As the son of an officer, Withers thinks that the rules apply to others, not to him, and in attempting to make a move on Mary Carter, he discovers that she's an officer and therefore off limits. He has his goods handed to him by a tough-as-nails drill sergeant, Dixie Smith. Never mind that his cocky behavior leaves his home-town sweetheart in the lurch, Chris's bad attitude needs to be shaped up by Smith before the unit ships out for combat.