Bolshevik Foma Korshunov returns to his village. Soon his son, seven-year old Mishka gets a new nickname - "little communist". When bandits come to the village Mishka, knowing that the reds are close, saddles his horse and hurry to warn them about the danger.

A school boy finds a fallen pilot in the forest during the fire started by enemies.

The film traces the path of the hero (formerly an ensign and a Knight of St. George, and then a talented commander of the Red Army) from the Civil War to the Great Patriotic War.