Concentrating on the personal lives of those involved, a war correspondent takes us through the preparations, landing and initial campaign on Guadalcanal during WWII.

Preston Foster
as Father Donnelly

Lloyd Nolan
as Sgt. Hook Malone

William Bendix
as Corp. Taxi Potts

Richard Conte
as Capt. Davis

Anthony Quinn
as Jesus ('Soose') Alverez

Richard Jaeckel
as Pvt. Johnny ('Chicken') Anderson

Roy Roberts
as Capt. Jame Cross

Minor Watson
as Col Wallace E. Grayson

Ralph Byrd
as Ned Rowman

Lionel Stander
as Sgt. Butch