[1] The film is largely based on the life of Lillian Kinkella Keil, one of the most decorated women in American military history.

Polly is taken to a C-47 transport aircraft to meet medical technician Sergeant Frank Swan and pilots Captains Bill Eaton and Tommy Metcalf.

When Polly learns of this, grieving and oblivious, she is nearly killed by "Bed Check Charlie," an enemy flier who drops nightly bombs, but Bill again saves her life.

Later, after Kit reports Mike has been found alive near the Chosin Reservoir but in a hospital, Ackerman sends Polly there in Bill's aircraft.

However, during her convalescence Polly has come to realize that she could not embrace a quiet life while she is needed in Korea, and suggests that Mike return to his real love.

The film's opening credits indicate that the Department of Defense and the United States Air Force contributed greatly to the production.

The review noted: "The resolute humanity of military flight nurses and the courage of the Air Force personnel, whose job it is to transport the war wounded and injured in defenseless helicopters and planes to medical stations, are deserving of a better tribute than they receive in Republic's 'Flight Nurse,' which opened at the Palace yesterday.