navy,based on novel or book,world war ii,pearl harbor,philippines,pacific war,pacific theater,1940s

They Were Expendable (1945)

Poster for They Were Expendable

A Tribute to Those Who Did So Much... With So Little!

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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Cast & Crew

Director
John Ford
  • Profile picture of Robert Montgomery
    Lt. John Brickley Robert Montgomery
  • Profile picture of John Wayne
    Lt. (J.G.) 'Rusty' Ryan John Wayne
  • Profile picture of Donna Reed
    Lt. Sandy Davyss Donna Reed
  • Profile picture of Jack Holt
    General Martin Jack Holt
  • Profile picture of Ward Bond
    "Boats" Mulcahey, Chief Boatswain's Mate Ward Bond
  • Profile picture of Marshall Thompson
    Ens. 'Snake' Gardner Marshall Thompson
  • Profile picture of Paul Langton
    Ens. 'Andy' Andrews Paul Langton
  • Profile picture of Leon Ames
    Major James Morton Leon Ames

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Keywords

  • navy
  • based on novel or book
  • world war ii
  • pearl harbor
  • philippines
  • pacific war
  • pacific theater
  • 1940s