When Buck Fitzpatrick, (William Bendix), is reporting to the Captain, (Richard Boone), after one of the drills, he asks about Captain Bligh and if there is a ship in the U.S. Navy called "Bounty". The Captain states that Bligh was a fictional character. Captain Bligh was actually a Captain of the H.M.S. "Bounty" in the British Royal Navy whose crew mutinied in 1789. He managed to survive being cast adrift and later became Governor of New South Wales in Australia.
The US Navy in WW2 was racially segregated. African-Americans were limited to stewards or chef mates. The film in several places them among the crew in roles that would not have been allowed at the time. While there were gun crews entirely made up of African-Americans, these were voluntary positions in addition to their assigned roles. Further, the crews did not serve together with the white gun crews.
When Seaman Golder is addressing Chief Bosun's Mate Fitzpatrick about the stowaway dog, he says "Please Sir, don't make me give him up".
A Chief Bosun's Mate is a Senior Enlisted Man, and would never be addressed as "Sir", which is reserved to Officers. He would be addressed as "Chief" or "Boats".
Buck Fitzpatrick is a "Chief Warrant Officer and not a Chief Petty Officer and as such "is" addressed as "Sir" and not Chief.
Buck Fitzpatrick is a "Chief Warrant Officer and not a Chief Petty Officer and as such "is" addressed as "Sir" and not Chief.
Half the crew being at breakfast while the rest of the ship is at action stations just wouldn't happen.
Some of the US aircraft are seen wearing post World War Two markings whilst, at least, one other is seen in pre-1941 markings, correct for early in the war, but not for 1945.
At the end as the band is playing on the dock, a 1950's model car drives by in the background.
Buck Fitzpatrick, (William Bendix) is shown wearing an officers cap with the officers crest when it should be a Chief Petty Officer's cap.
His depiction is correct. He is a Chief Warrant Officer. He is referred to as a Chief Bosun, not a Chief Bosun's Mate.
His depiction is correct. He is a Chief Warrant Officer. He is referred to as a Chief Bosun, not a Chief Bosun's Mate.