The U.S. Navy destroyer shown throughout the film is the U.S.S. Maddox (DD-731). It was commissioned in 1944, saw service in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War - most notably in the latter during the Gulf of Tonkin incident. She was decommissioned in 1969, sold to the Republic of China (Taiwan) in 1972 and finally scrapped in 1985.
When CPO MacLish leaves his ship, he notes a launch with sailors passing in front of another ship. That vessel is the USNS General E.T. Collins (T-AP-147). It was commissioned in July 1944 as an armed troop transport ship. It could carry as many as 3,000 soldiers or Marines at a time. After the war she made four voyages across the Pacific to bring troops home. She also saw service in the Korean War before being "mothballed" soon after appearing in this film. She was sold in 1968 to private operators, converted to a container ship and renamed the SS New Orleans. Sold and renamed twice more, she was finally scrapped in 1982.
By the five hash marks on his left sleeve, CPO MacLish has been in the Navy for over twenty years.
When Frieda find out that she and Chuck are both from Brooklyn, she mentions the Star Theatre - an actual movie theater at 389 Jay Street in Brooklyn, New York City. It was a large venue with 1,410 seats. It was demolished in 1948.
A rare leading role for Neville Brand, a prolific character actor with a feature film and television career spanning from 1949 to 1985. Brand was no stranger to the military - but not as a sailor. He served in the U.S. Army's 83rd Infantry Division in Europe during WW2 where he attained the rank of sergeant and earned the Silver Star medal - the third highest decoration for valor in the U.S. armed forces, and a Purple Heart.