Flying Leathernecks

The story

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.

Cast

J John WayneMaj. Daniel Xavier Kirby R Robert RyanCapt. Carl 'Griff' Griffin D Don TaylorLt. Vern 'Cowboy' Blithe J Janis CarterJoan Kirby J Jay C. FlippenMSgt. Clancy, Line Chief W William HarriganDr. Lt.Cdr. Joe Curran J James BellColonel B Barry KelleyBrigadier General M Maurice JaraShorty Vegay A Adam WilliamsLt. Bert Malotke J James DobsonLt. Pudge McCabe C Carleton YoungCol. Riley

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M Michael St. AngelCapt. Harold Jorgensen, Ops. Officer B Brett King1st Lt. Ernie Stark G Gordon GebertTommy Kirby H Hal BokarLt. Deal (uncredited) B Barry BrooksSquadron Commander (uncredited) C Charles BrunnerCharlie's Father (uncredited) R Richard Condon1st Pilot Replacement (uncredited) J James CravenFleet CIC Commander (uncredited) V Victor Cutler2nd Pilot Replacement (uncredited) G Gail DavisVirginia Blithe (uncredited) S Sam EdwardsJunior (uncredited) F Fred GrahamMP Sergeant (uncredited) C Chuck HamiltonIntelligence Officer (uncredited) D Douglas HendersonLt. Foster (uncredited) M Milton KibbeeIndian Affairs Clerk (uncredited) M Mona KnoxAnnabelle (uncredited) K Keith LarsenCharlie (uncredited) H Harry LauterFreddie (uncredited) P Paul McGuireMajor Benson (uncredited) E Eda Reiss MerinMama Malotke (uncredited) J John MitchumLt. Black (uncredited) P Patricia PrestGreta Malotke (uncredited) N Noel ReyburnMadden (uncredited) H Hugh SandersGeneral on Guadalcanal (uncredited) L Lynn StalmasterLt. Billy Castle (uncredited) M Milburn StoneFleet CIC Radio Operator (uncredited) H Harlan WardeAdmiral's Aide (uncredited) D Dick WesselMess Sergeant (uncredited) M Mack WilliamsColonel (uncredited) P Peter OrtizCaptain (uncredited) C Chuck Courtney3rd Pilot Replacement (uncredited)