In Harm's Way

In the aftermath of Pearl Harbor, a Navy captain is given command of a cruiser and tasked with leading a risky offensive operation against Japanese forces, while personal rivalries and tragedies unfold among his fellow officers. The film blends naval combat with the personal toll of the war's early, uncertain months.

The film reflects the US Navy's scramble to rebuild and go on the offensive following the devastating losses at Pearl Harbor, as the Pacific Fleet shifted from defense to early counteroffensive operations in 1942–1943.

The specific battles and characters are fictional composites rather than depictions of a single historical operation.

A carrier strike force attacked the United States Pacific Fleet at anchor, bringing America into the war.

Two waves of aircraft from six carriers sank or disabled eight battleships and destroyed much of the island's air strength. The American carriers were at sea, and the fuel storage and repair facilities were left largely intact.

Directed by Otto Preminger

Cast: John Wayne, Kirk Douglas, Patricia Neal, Henry Fonda

Positioned at December 1941 – 1943 within the Early Pacific War phase of the war, as part of the Pacific naval campaigns. This is entry 50 of 150 in the chronological archive.

• Pearl Harbor aftermath
• US Navy
• Pacific
• John Wayne
• fictional campaign

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  Pearl Harbor

  7 December 1941 – 18 April 1942

• 

  Tora! Tora! Tora!

  November – 7 December 1941

• 

  From Here to Eternity

  Summer 1941 – 7 December 1941

• 

  Wake Island

  December 8–23, 1941

• 

  They Were Expendable

  December 1941 – April 1942

• 

  So Proudly We Hail!

  December 1941 – May 1942