When asked if they were retreating, Frank Lovejoy's character, Lt. Col Steve Corbett, says, "Retreat, hell! We're not retreating, we're just advancing in a different direction." This was actually said by Maj. Gen. O.P. Smith, who was Commanding General of the 1st Marine Division at the Battle of Chosin Reservoir.
Paul Picerni was originally cast as Capt. O'Grady and shot some scenes, but Warner Bros. decided it wanted him in the Errol Flynn actioner Mara Maru (1952) instead and replaced him on this picture with Lamont Johnson.
John Wayne intended to appear in this film prior to filming The Quiet Man (1952), but was unable to work it into his schedule.
Just before the movie premiered in San Antonio, Texas, in 1952, local radio stations decided the film's title was tasteless and offensive. So instead, advertisements informed listeners that a new war film, "Retreat, Heck!" would be opening soon.