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
Maj. Daniel Xavier Kirby

Robert Ryan
Capt. Carl 'Griff' Griffin

Don Taylor
Lt. Vern 'Cowboy' Blithe

Janis Carter
Joan Kirby

Jay C. Flippen
MSgt. Clancy, Line Chief

William Harrigan
Dr. Lt.Cdr. Joe Curran

James Bell
Colonel

Barry Kelley
Brigadier General
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Release Date
August 28, 1951
Runtime
1h 42m
Rating
NR
Genres
Action, Drama, War
Director
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