Chief Nelson informs that there's trouble ahead: Seaman Jerome J. Johnson has been assigned to the Appleby - and he's the most renowned bad-luck omen in the Navy.

The "USS Appleby" receives an SOS from two U.S. soldiers on a small island under fire by Japanese. It turns out to be two U.S. and two Japanese soldiers who think WWII is still active and have waged and are still fighting a 4 man war 17 years after it ended.

"Operation: Birthday" is underway on the USS Appleby but it appears destined for failure. O'Toole and the crew - broke as usual - want to get Chief Nelson a present - But the Chief is the only man on board with a bankroll.