 He is transferred to a punishment company, run by the dictatorial (and delusional) Captain Grimes, who insists on being called "Waco" in order to prevent his own death by Japanese snipers.Through flashback, we learn Gifford's backstory—his civilian status as a wealthy cotton farmer, married to the beautiful daughter of his State Guard commander, who is also a well-to-do plantation owner.After their reserve unit is sent to the Pacific theater, Gifford becomes close buddies with several of his own sharecroppers—people he had never socialized with at home.