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.

Director: John Ford

Cast

Robert Montgomery

Lt. John Brickley

John Wayne

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

Donna Reed

Lt. Sandy Davyss

Jack Holt

General Martin

Ward Bond

"Boats" Mulcahey, Chief Boatswain's Mate

Marshall Thompson

Ens. 'Snake' Gardner

Paul Langton

Ens. 'Andy' Andrews

Leon Ames

Major James Morton