Was McHale a Lieutenant Commander? If so, was it normal for a Lt. Comm. to be in charge of a PT boat?
Urban legend in the making...
McHale was higher than a mere Lt CMDR; he was CPO.
As every Swabby knows, officers may give orders, but Chiefs RUN things.
In fact, McHale was a THIRD LEVEL Chief, making him a C3PO!