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.
as Maj. Daniel Xavier Kirby
as Capt. Carl 'Griff' Griffin
as Lt. Vern 'Cowboy' Blithe
as Joan Kirby
as MSgt. Clancy, Line Chief
as Dr. Lt.Cdr. Joe Curran
as Colonel
as Brigadier General
as Shorty Vegay
as Lt. Bert Malotke
as Lt. Pudge McCabe
as Col. Riley
as Capt. Harold Jorgensen, Ops. Officer
as 1st Lt. Ernie Stark
as Tommy Kirby
as Virginia Blithe (uncredited)
as MP Sergeant (uncredited)
as Lt. Foster (uncredited)
as Indian Affairs Clerk (uncredited)
as Fleet CIC Radio Operator (uncredited)
as Mess Sergeant (uncredited)
as 3rd Pilot Replacement (uncredited)
