Flying Leathernecks

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.

Discover

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

Gail Davis

Virginia Blithe (uncredited)

Fred Graham

MP Sergeant (uncredited)

Douglas Henderson

Lt. Foster (uncredited)

Milton Kibbee

Indian Affairs Clerk (uncredited)

Milburn Stone

Fleet CIC Radio Operator (uncredited)

Dick Wessel

Mess Sergeant (uncredited)

Chuck Courtney

3rd Pilot Replacement (uncredited)

Art

Albert S. D'Agostino

Art Direction

James W. Sullivan

Art Direction

Darrell Silvera

Set Decoration

John Sturtevant

Set Decoration

Camera

William E. Snyder

Director of Photography

Costume & Make-Up

Michael Woulfe

Costume Design

Larry Germain

Hairstylist

Mel Berns

Makeup Artist

Crew

Howard Hughes

Presenter

Directing

Nicholas Ray

Director

Sam Ruman

Assistant Director

Editing

Production

Cliff P. Broughton

Production Supervisor

Sound

Roy Webb

Music

C. Bakaleinikoff

Music Director

Writing

Beirne Lay Jr.

Screenplay

Edmund Grainger

Screenplay