This was the first naval war film made by MGM (per Wikipedia).
Thanks to the Hayes Commission rules, the Warren picks up two near term pregnant women and no one knows. Showing a pregnant woman was not allowed.
The world premiere on 31 December 1942 took place simultaneously in 7 US cities: Boston, Massachusetts; Providence, Rhode Island; Washington, D.C.; Chicago, Illinois; Norfolk, Virginia; San Diego, California and San Francisco, California. Some earlier screenings may have taken place for naval officers on Treasure Island, California and Mare Island, California.
Rear Adm. Stephen Thomas, played by Charles Laughton, is wearing ribbons for the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross, the top two Naval awards for combat actions above and beyond the call of duty.
The bands around the waists are inflatable life preservers.