They Were Expendable

A US Navy PT boat squadron, initially dismissed as unimportant, proves its worth in a series of desperate skirmishes as American and Filipino forces are overwhelmed by the Japanese invasion of the Philippines. The film follows the squadron's officers as they evacuate key personnel while facing the crumbling defense.

The film is based on the real exploits of Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 3, which fought during the Japanese conquest of the Philippines from December 1941 and famously evacuated General MacArthur to Australia in March 1942.

Robert Montgomery, who served on PT boats himself, brought firsthand authenticity; the film closely follows the real squadron's documented actions.

Directed by John Ford

Cast: Robert Montgomery, John Wayne, Donna Reed, Ward Bond

Positioned at December 1941 – April 1942 within the Fall of the Philippines phase of the war, as part of the Philippines campaign. This is entry 52 of 150 in the chronological archive.

• PT boats
• Philippines
• MacArthur evacuation
• John Ford
• Navy

• 

  Bataan

  Early 1942

• 

  So Proudly We Hail!

  December 1941 – May 1942

• 

  From Here to Eternity

  Summer 1941 – 7 December 1941

• 

  Pearl Harbor

  7 December 1941 – 18 April 1942

• 

  In Harm's Way

  December 1941 – 1943

• 

  Wake Island

  December 8–23, 1941