Visible crew/equipment: When William Holden is visiting Frederick March in the Admiral's cabin a boom microphone is visible near the air conditioning ducting in the ceiling. A shadow is seen, then the microphone drops down into the shot. The microphone moves a bit and then is raised.
Character mistake: Early in the movie, a flight deck officer tells Mickey Rooney to hurry up, and Rooney replies, "Very well, sir," which is major breach of Naval etiquette. (Officers say "very well" to enlisted personnel, but an enlisted man NEVER says "very well" to an officer.).
Character mistake: RAdm Tarrant (Frederic March) is on the command deck watching the helicopter land. He's wearing a ball cap with his rank insignia, 2 stars. But they're inside down (points down).