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.
Maj. Daniel Xavier Kirby
Capt. Carl 'Griff' Griffin
Lt. Vern 'Cowboy' Blithe
Joan Kirby
MSgt. Clancy, Line Chief
Dr. Lt.Cdr. Joe Curran
Colonel
Brigadier General
Shorty Vegay
Lt. Bert Malotke
Lt. Pudge McCabe
Col. Riley
Capt. Harold Jorgensen, Ops. Officer
1st Lt. Ernie Stark
Tommy Kirby
Lt. Deal (uncredited)
Squadron Commander (uncredited)
Charlie's Father (uncredited)
1st Pilot Replacement (uncredited)
Fleet CIC Commander (uncredited)
2nd Pilot Replacement (uncredited)
Virginia Blithe (uncredited)
Junior (uncredited)
MP Sergeant (uncredited)
Intelligence Officer (uncredited)
Lt. Foster (uncredited)
Indian Affairs Clerk (uncredited)
Annabelle (uncredited)
Charlie (uncredited)
Freddie (uncredited)
Major Benson (uncredited)
Mama Malotke (uncredited)
Lt. Black (uncredited)
Greta Malotke (uncredited)
Madden (uncredited)
General on Guadalcanal (uncredited)
Lt. Billy Castle (uncredited)
Fleet CIC Radio Operator (uncredited)
Admiral's Aide (uncredited)
Mess Sergeant (uncredited)
Colonel (uncredited)
Captain (uncredited)
3rd Pilot Replacement (uncredited)