They Were Expendable

After a demonstration of new PT boats, navy brass are still unconvinced of their viability in combat, leaving Lt. "Rusty" Ryan frustrated. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, however, Ryan and his buddy Lt. Brickley are told they can finally take their squadron into battle. The PT boats quickly prove their worth, successfully shooting down Japanese planes, relaying messages between islands, and picking off a multitude of enemy ships.

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  Robert Montgomery

  Lt. John Brickley
• 
  John Wayne

  Lt. (J.G.) 'Rusty' Ryan
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  Donna Reed

  Lt. Sandy Davyss
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  Jack Holt

  General Martin
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  Ward Bond

  "Boats" Mulcahey, Chief Boatswain's Mate
• 
  Marshall Thompson

  Ens. 'Snake' Gardner
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  Paul Langton

  Ens. 'Andy' Andrews
• 
  Leon Ames

  Major James Morton
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  Arthur Walsh

  Seaman Jones
• 
  Donald Curtis

  Lt. (J.G.) 'Shorty' Long