Lt. Col. Kirby Yorke is posted on the Texas frontier to defend settlers against depredations of marauding Apaches. Col. Yorke is under considerable stress by a serious shortage of troops of his command. Tension is added when Yorke's son (whom he hasn't seen in fifteen years), Trooper Jeff Yorke, is one of 18 recruits sent to the regiment.
John Wayne
Lt. Col. Kirby Yorke
Maureen O'Hara
Mrs. Kathleen Yorke
Ben Johnson
Trooper Travis Tyree
Claude Jarman Jr.
Trooper Jefferson 'Jeff' Yorke
Harry Carey, Jr.
Trooper Daniel 'Sandy' Boone
Chill Wills
Dr. Wilkins
J. Carrol Naish
Lt. Gen. Philip Sheridan
Victor McLaglen
Sgt. Maj. Timothy Quincannon
Grant Withers
U.S. Deputy Marshal
Peter Ortiz
Capt. St. Jacques
Steve Pendleton
Capt. Prescott
Karolyn Grimes
Margaret Mary
Alberto Morin
Lieutenant
Stan Jones
Sergeant
Fred Kennedy
Trooper Heinze
Ken Curtis
Donnelly - Regimental Singer (uncredited)
Tommy Doss
Regimental Singer (uncredited)
Hugh Farr
Regimental Singer (uncredited)
Karl Farr
Regimental Singer (uncredited)
Shug Fisher
Regimental Singer/Bugler (uncredited)
Cliff Lyons
Soldier (uncredited)
Lee Morgan
(uncredited)
Jack Pennick
Sergeant (uncredited)
Lloyd Perryman
Regimental Singer (uncredited)
Chuck Roberson
Officer/Indian Fires Arrow Into Col. York's Chest (uncredited)