Tarawa Beachhead

Marine sergeant Kerwin Mathews saw his lieutenant, Ray Danton, shoot one of his own men during the Battle of Guadalcanal to cover his own incompetence. He wants to have Danton broken, but figures it's his word against an officer. Mathews gets assigned to be the marine who goes around and speaks to the family of the dead. He develops feelings for Julie Adams, the widow of the dead marine, and she for him.... while Danton is romancing her sister. Promoted to lieutenant -- with Danton now a captain -- Mathews finally files the papers accusing Danton of murder. But before they'll be looked at, they have to take Tarawa.

Paul Wendkos directs this movie about marines, and what being one comes down to in the end. It all seems confused, but we definitely get the idea that Danton is an amoral opportunist, and that the Marines don't care. Just get in there and fight. With Karen Sharpe, Onslow Stevens, and Morris Ankrum.