Sgt. Bill Dane (played by Robert Taylor) is a protagonist in Bataan.
Takes command after Captain Lassiter's death and leads the outnumbered defenders in holding the hillside position. He suspects Corporal Todd of being a fugitive named Danny Burns, survives multiple engagements, and ultimately makes a final stand alone after digging his comrades' graves. Lt. Steve Bentley (played by George Murphy) appears in Bataan.
An Army Air Corps pilot who works with Corporal Katigbak to frantically repair a Beechcraft aircraft. After Katigbak is killed, Bentley loads explosives aboard and crashes the plane into the Japanese-rebuilt bridge foundation, destroying it for the third time. Capt. Henry Lassiter (played by Lee Bowman) appears in Bataan.
The initial commander of the ad hoc defensive group. He is killed by a Japanese sniper early in the defense, which leaves Sergeant Dane to assume command of the remaining soldiers. Leonard Purckett (played by Robert Walker) appears in Bataan.
One of the thirteen defenders who survives the initial engagements. He is wounded during the final massive assault and is shot while the remaining soldiers fight hand-to-hand. Cpl. Barney Todd (played by Lloyd Nolan) appears in Bataan.
Fights alongside Sergeant Dane and helps destroy the partially rebuilt bridge. He is later revealed to be Danny Burns, a fugitive from Dane's past. He is stabbed by a feigning-dead Japanese soldier and dies after confessing his true identity. Felix Ramirez (played by Desi Arnaz) appears in Bataan.
One of the original thirteen soldiers assigned to defend the bridge. He survives the initial combat but ultimately succumbs to malaria, leaving the rest of the group to continue the fight.
Bataan (1943) character relationship network mapped with AI analysis. Explore the connections, alliances, and conflicts between characters.
Characters
Sgt. Bill Dane
(played by Robert Taylor) — protagonist
Takes command after Captain Lassiter's death and leads the outnumbered defenders in holding the hillside position. He suspects Corporal Todd of being a fugitive named Danny Burns, survives multiple en...
Lt. Steve Bentley
(played by George Murphy) — supporting
An Army Air Corps pilot who works with Corporal Katigbak to frantically repair a Beechcraft aircraft. After Katigbak is killed, Bentley loads explosives aboard and crashes the plane into the Japanese-...
Capt. Henry Lassiter
(played by Lee Bowman) — supporting
The initial commander of the ad hoc defensive group. He is killed by a Japanese sniper early in the defense, which leaves Sergeant Dane to assume command of the remaining soldiers.
Leonard Purckett
(played by Robert Walker) — supporting
One of the thirteen defenders who survives the initial engagements. He is wounded during the final massive assault and is shot while the remaining soldiers fight hand-to-hand.
Cpl. Barney Todd
(played by Lloyd Nolan) — supporting
Fights alongside Sergeant Dane and helps destroy the partially rebuilt bridge. He is later revealed to be Danny Burns, a fugitive from Dane's past. He is stabbed by a feigning-dead Japanese soldier an...
Felix Ramirez
(played by Desi Arnaz) — supporting
One of the original thirteen soldiers assigned to defend the bridge. He survives the initial combat but ultimately succumbs to malaria, leaving the rest of the group to continue the fight.
Key Relationships
Sgt. Bill Dane → Leonard Purckett
(Alliance Teammate)
Sgt. Bill Dane → Lt. Steve Bentley
(Alliance Supporter)
Sgt. Bill Dane → Felix Ramirez
(Alliance Teammate)
Sgt. Bill Dane → Cpl. Barney Todd
(Alliance Teammate)
Sgt. Bill Dane → Capt. Henry Lassiter
(Professional Commander)
Story Analysis
A group of diverse American soldiers makes a desperate last stand to destroy a strategic bridge and delay Japanese advances.
