An experienced South Pacific Sea Dog by the name of Quinton McHale, was commissioned as a Lieutenant Commander into the U.S. Navy Reserve at the start of World War II.
McHale was made the Skipper of the Torpedo Patrol (PT) Boat #73 stationed at the U.S. Naval Installation on the island of Taratupa in the Southwest Pacific.
The 73 'Family' included, among others, a con man and amateur Magician, a womanizing hunk, a dedicated Family man, a guitar-playing, moonshine-making Tennessee good ol' boy, and even a deserter from the Japanese Navy, who was an excellent cook.
Ernest Borgnine
as Quinton McHale
Joe Flynn
as Captain Wallace B. Binghamton
Tim Conway
as Ensign Charles Parker
Carl Ballantine
as Lester Gruber
Gary Vinson
as George Christopher
Billy Sands
as 'Tinker' Bell
Edson Stroll
as Virgil Edwards
John Wright
as Willy Moss
Yoshio Yoda
as Fuji Kobiaji
Gavin MacLeod
as Happy
Bob Hastings
as Lt. Elroy Carpenter
