Outgunned and outmanned in the Battle of the Philippines, the skippers and crews of the Navy's PT boats play a vital role in the holding action that buys the U.S. valuable time after the crippling attack on Pearl Harbor. Based on the real life heroics of Lieutenants John Bulkeley (Brickley) and Robert Kelly (Ryan), the movie accurately depicts the defence of the Philippines by American PT Boats from December 1941 through April 1942 for which Lieutenant (later Vice Admiral) Bulkeley was awarded the Medal of Honor and Lieutenant Kelly the Navy Cross.