They Were Expendable

They Were Expendable is a 1945 American war film directed by John Ford, starring Robert Montgomery and John Wayne, and featuring Donna Reed. The film is based on the 1942 book by William Lindsay White, relating the story of the exploits of Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron Three, a boat unit defending the Philippines against Japanese invasion during the Battle of the Philippines (1941–1942) in World War II. Director John Ford forgoes blanket calls of patriotism and infuses this film with realism and authenticity based on his and the actors' experiences of courage, sacrifice and loneliness during the war.