Johnny Jersey comes from a tough neighborhood where defying authority is the only rule. He's a pro boxer who hides his real feelings behind the chip on his shoulder and his legendary punch. His sky-rocketing career is stalled when Uncle Sam beckons. Johnny struts through the gates of the Great Lakes Naval Training Station, a belligerent and unwilling draftee. Reluctantly, Johnny joins the pack of young recruits from America's small towns and big cities sent up for training during WWII. When pretty Naval woman Ellen Sayre catches his eye, boot camp starts to look good. The battalion graduates and the men are about to ship out when Johnny proposes marriage to Ellen. She has fallen in love, however, with Johnny's best friend and fellow cadet Malcolm Randall. Johnny finds out about it and beats his rival to a pulp in a bloody fight. Facing a court-martial, Johnny pours his heart out to the chaplain. His pals and Johnny's family rally to try to save him.
The teamwork among the recruits is highlighted with comic turns by the supporting cast, including Roscoe Karns (It Happened One Night and His Girl Friday) as bumbling ex-shoe salesman Frankie Gimble. A veteran of countless films, Robert Lowery is also known for his role as the Caped Crusader in the Columbia serial, Batman and Robin. Much of the The Navy Way was shot on location at the US Naval Training Station at Great Lakes, Illinois.