Flying Leathernecks

From Guadalcanal to Okinawa...the Marine air-devils blazed a trail of glory...while the women they left behind fought battles of their own!

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)

Maurice Jara

(Shorty Vegay)

Adam Williams

(Lt. Bert Malotke)

James Dobson

(Lt. Pudge McCabe)

Carleton Young

(Col. Riley)

Michael St. Angel

(Capt. Harold Jorgensen, Ops. Officer)

Brett King

(1st Lt. Ernie Stark)

Gordon Gebert

(Tommy Kirby)

Hal Bokar

(Lt. Deal (uncredited))

Barry Brooks

(Squadron Commander (uncredited))

Charles Brunner

(Charlie's Father (uncredited))

Richard Condon

(1st Pilot Replacement (uncredited))

James Craven

(Fleet CIC Commander (uncredited))

Victor Cutler

(2nd Pilot Replacement (uncredited))

Gail Davis

(Virginia Blithe (uncredited))

Sam Edwards

(Junior (uncredited))

Fred Graham

(MP Sergeant (uncredited))

Chuck Hamilton

(Intelligence Officer (uncredited))

Douglas Henderson

(Lt. Foster (uncredited))

Milton Kibbee

(Indian Affairs Clerk (uncredited))

Mona Knox

(Annabelle (uncredited))

Keith Larsen

(Charlie (uncredited))

Harry Lauter

(Freddie (uncredited))

Paul McGuire

(Major Benson (uncredited))

Eda Reiss Merin

(Mama Malotke (uncredited))

John Mitchum

(Lt. Black (uncredited))

Patricia Prest

(Greta Malotke (uncredited))

Noel Reyburn

(Madden (uncredited))

Hugh Sanders

(General on Guadalcanal (uncredited))

Lynn Stalmaster

(Lt. Billy Castle (uncredited))

Milburn Stone

(Fleet CIC Radio Operator (uncredited))

Harlan Warde

(Admiral's Aide (uncredited))

Dick Wessel

(Mess Sergeant (uncredited))

Mack Williams

(Colonel (uncredited))

Peter Ortiz

(Captain (uncredited))

Chuck Courtney

(3rd Pilot Replacement (uncredited))