One interesting feature of the film is the significant role of African-American actor Ben Carter as messman Oliver Cromwell Jones. While most World War II movies (particularly those made during the war) feature few, if any, African-American characters, "Crash Dive" is a notable exception. Although Carter plays a stereotypical role as a low ranking sailor, his character is more developed than most African-American characters of the time by being shown to be a confidant to a higher ranking crewmember. Jones (Ben Carter) also participates in a commando raid late in the film. A scene which subtly comments on the racial mores of the time depicts the white sailors blackening their faces in preparation for that nighttime raid. Upon walking in and seeing them Jones laughs then reports loudly "I'm the only born commando here!".