The Navy Comes Through

The Navy Comes Through

Year: 1942

Runtime: 82 mins

Language: English

Director: A. Edward Sutherland

WarDrama

A Page Torn from the Records of American Glory! A U.S. Navy crew aboard a merchant marine ship battle Nazis.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – The Navy Comes Through (1942)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Navy Comes Through (1942). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1940s

Set in the early 1940s, the film captures the tense dawn of the United States' involvement in World War II. Atlantic convoys face ruthless German U-boat attacks as ships race to reach safer waters. The period's wartime urgency shapes every choice aboard the freighter Sybil Gray and in the Navy's investigations.

Location

Atlantic Ocean, Belfast, United States Navy Board of Inquiry

Most of the action unfolds aboard the freighter Sybil Gray sailing the Atlantic during WWII. The narrative centers on a United States Navy Board of Inquiry whose proceedings drive the plot and illuminate the costs of duty and truth. The story also touches Belfast as the convoy nears the U.K., bringing the crew against a heightened U-boat threat.

🌊 Ocean ⚓ Navy 🧭 Inquiry

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:09

Main Characters – The Navy Comes Through (1942)

Meet the key characters of The Navy Comes Through (1942), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Chief Michael 'Mike' Mallory (Pat O'Brien)

A seasoned chief gunner's mate whose testimony at a United States Navy Board of Inquiry catalyzes Sands' career arc. He embodies duty and truth, even when the consequences strain friendships. His insistence on the truth sets in motion the chain of events that concludes with Sands' reinstatement.

🎖️ Officer 🧭 Duty 🗣️ Integrity

Lieutenant Thomas L. 'Tom' Sands (George Murphy)

A skilled navigator whose career is compromised by his testimony, he reinlists as an enlisted man and becomes central to the convoy's defense. He defies orders to guide a U-boat-loaded vessel and ultimately chooses actions that prove his courage and loyalty, at great personal risk.

⚔️ Courage 🧭 Navigator ❤️ Loyalty

Myra Mallory (Jane Wyatt)

Mallory's sister and a Navy nurse who provides emotional stakes and medical aid aboard the convoy. Her relationship with Sands colors the mission's choices, highlighting the human cost of war amid professional duty.

🩺 Nurse ❤️ Love 🎗️ Duty

Richard 'Dutch' Kroner (Carl Esmond)

An Austrian-born crew member whose keen mind helps interpret critical German communications, foiling initial sabotage attempts. His background as a violinist and wartime experience adds a layer of cultural tension to the shipboard dynamic.

🎻 Musician 🧠 Clever 🗣️ Interpreter

Coxswain G. Berringer (Max Baer)

A trusted sailor who recognizes Sands, becomes a source of friction on the ship, and is fatally wounded during the air attacks. His sacrifice underscores the costs of the crew's moral decisions.

⚓ Sailor 💥 Sacrifice

Joe 'Babe' Duttson (Jackie Cooper)

Duttson's radio intercepts provide crucial intelligence that helps the crew anticipate German moves. His quick thinking keeps the convoy informed amid the chaos of battle.

🎙️ Radio Operator 🧭 Informant

Lt. James Bayless (John McGuire)

An officer aboard the convoy, contributing to the command structure and operations under pressure. His presence highlights the strain on leadership during continuous combat.

⚓ Officer 🧭 Leader

Lt. Cmdr. Murray (Marten Lamont)

The Navy doctor aboard who performs surgery on the injured Bayless and works to keep the crew moving without delaying the convoy. His role embodies medical duty and steady leadership in crisis.

🩺 Doctor 🧭 Leader

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:09

Major Themes – The Navy Comes Through (1942)

Explore the central themes of The Navy Comes Through (1942), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🧭 Duty and Loyalty

The Navy Comes Through is built on tests of duty under pressure. Mallory's insistence on truth at the Board of Inquiry strains his relationship with Sands but reinforces a sense of responsibility to the crew. Sands' actions aboard the convoy reveal how loyalty can clash with orders, yet still reflect personal integrity.

🛡️ Courage Under Fire

Facing a relentless U-boat threat and air attacks, characters must decide whether to act decisively or retreat. Sands risks his own safety to protect Myra and the convoy, showing that restraint paired with bold action can be true courage. The film contrasts momentary bravado with disciplined leadership to define heroism.

❤️ Love and Sacrifice

Romantic and familial bonds complicate the wartime mission. The affair between Sands and Myra tests loyalties while Mallory's public duty jeopardizes personal ties. Ultimately, sacrifice for the greater good underpins the convoy's survival and the characters' futures.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:09

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The Navy Comes Through Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Navy Comes Through, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Navy Comes Through Summary

The Navy Comes Through Timeline

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The Navy Comes Through Timeline

More About The Navy Comes Through

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