

They Were Expendable
“A Tribute to Those Who Did So Much... With So Little!”
Overview
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.
Cast
(40)
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

Arthur Walsh
Seaman Jones

Donald Curtis
Lt. (J.G.) 'Shorty' Long

Cameron Mitchell
Ens. George Cross

Louis Jean Heydt
'Ohio'

Jeff York
Ens. Tony Aiken

Murray Alper
'Slug' Mahan T.M. 1c

Harry Tenbrook
'Squarehead' Larsen SC 2c

Jack Pennick
'Doc'

Alex Havier
'Benny' Lecoco ST 3c

Charles Trowbridge
Admiral Blackwell

Robert Barrat
The General

Bruce Kellogg
Elder Tompkins M.M. 2c

Tim Murdock
Ens. Brant

Russell Simpson
'Dad' Knowland

Vernon Steele
Army Doctor

Robert Emmett O'Connor
Silver Dollar Bartender (uncredited)

Philip Ahn
Army Orderly (uncredited)

Steve Barclay
Naval Officer (uncredited)

Betty Blythe
Officer's Wife (uncredited)
Danny Borzage
Boat Crew Member (uncredited)

Al Bridge
Lieutenant Colonel (uncredited)
George Bruggeman
Man in Admiral's Office (uncredited)
James Carlisle
Man in Admiral's Office (uncredited)
Jack Carrington
Officer at Airport (uncredited)
Bruce Carruthers
Man in Admiral's Office (uncredited)
Tony Carson
Man in Admiral's Office (uncredited)

Jack Cheatham
Commander (uncredited)
Fred Coby
Officer at Airport (uncredited)
Roger Cole
Officer at Airport (uncredited)
Jane Crowley
Officer's Wife (uncredited)

Henry H. Daniels Jr.
Sailor (uncredited)

William B. Davidson
Hotel Manager (uncredited)