
102 minutes
8/28/1951
Major Daniel Kirby takes command of a squadron of Marine fliers just before they are about to go into combat. While the men are well meaning, he finds them undisciplined and prone to always finding excuses to do what is easy rather than what is necessary. The root of the problem is the second in command, Capt. Carl 'Griff' Griffin. Griff is the best flier in the group but Kirby finds him a poor commander who is not prepared to make the difficult decision that all commanders have to make - to put men in harm's way knowing that they may be killed.

John Wayne
as Maj. Daniel Xavier Kirby

Robert Ryan
as Capt. Carl 'Griff' Griffin

Don Taylor
as Lt. Vern 'Cowboy' Blithe

Janis Carter
as Joan Kirby

Jay C. Flippen
as MSgt. Clancy, Line Chief

William Harrigan
as Dr. Lt.Cdr. Joe Curran

James Bell
as Colonel

Barry Kelley
as Brigadier General

Maurice Jara
as Shorty Vegay

Adam Williams
as Lt. Bert Malotke
James Dobson
as Lt. Pudge McCabe

Carleton Young
as Col. Riley

Michael St. Angel
as Capt. Harold Jorgensen, Ops. Officer

Brett King
as 1st Lt. Ernie Stark

Gordon Gebert
as Tommy Kirby
Hal Bokar
Barry Brooks
Charles Brunner

Richard Condon

James Craven

Victor Cutler

Gail Davis
as Virginia Blithe (uncredited)

Sam Edwards

Fred Graham
as MP Sergeant (uncredited)
Chuck Hamilton

Douglas Henderson
as Lt. Foster (uncredited)

Milton Kibbee
as Indian Affairs Clerk (uncredited)

Mona Knox

Keith Larsen

Harry Lauter
Paul McGuire

Eda Reiss Merin

John Mitchum
Patricia Prest
Noel Reyburn

Hugh Sanders

Lynn Stalmaster

Milburn Stone
as Fleet CIC Radio Operator (uncredited)

Harlan Warde

Dick Wessel
as Mess Sergeant (uncredited)

Mack Williams
Peter Ortiz

Chuck Courtney
as 3rd Pilot Replacement (uncredited)