Ghost of The U-85 is based on the true story of the sinking of the German submarine, U-85, was caught on the surface off Bodie Island Light around midnight on April 13, 1942, by the destroyer, U.S.S. Roper. The submarine attempted to escape and fired a torpedo at the Roper, which the destroyer evaded. The crew of the Roper observed men on the submarine's deck near the gun and opened fire with machine guns. As the submarine sank, the destroyer dropped depth charges. Even though survivors were spotted in the water, no attempt was made to rescue them. The next morning 29 bodies were found floating, some of which were dressed in civilian clothing. Their wallets contained U.S. currency and identification cards, leading officials to believe they were going to be landed ashore to conduct spying and saboteur operations. The bodies were buried during the night at the Hampton National Cemetery. The story picks up in 1997, as a Norfolk reporter first discovers the graves of the crewmen of U-85, and then becomes caught up in a daring hunt for a spy who has waged war on American for three decades.