John Wayne as Thomas Dunson

Montgomery Clift as Matthew Garth

Joanne Dru as Tess Millay

Walter Brennan as 'Groot' Nadine

Coleen Gray as Fen

Harry Carey as Mr. Melville

John Ireland as Cherry Valance

Noah Beery Jr. as Buster McGee

Harry Carey, Jr. as Dan Latimer

Chief Yowlachie as Quo

Paul Fix as Teeler Yacey

Hank Worden as Simms Reeves

Mickey Kuhn as Matt, as a boy

Ray Hyke as Walt Jergens

Hal Taliaferro as Old Leather

Shelley Winters as Dance Hall Girl in Wagon Train (uncredited)

Lane Chandler as Colonel (uncredited)

Davison Clark as Mr. Meeker (uncredited)

Harry Cording as Gambler (uncredited)

Richard Farnsworth as Dunston Rider (uncredited)

Paul Fierro as Fernandez (uncredited)

George Lloyd as Rider with Melville (uncredited)

Pierce Lyden as Colonel's Trail Boss (uncredited)

Frank Meredith as Train Engineer (uncredited)

John Merton as Settler (uncredited) (uncredited)

Jack Montgomery as Drover at Meeting (uncredited)

Ivan Parry as Bunk Kenneally (uncredited)

Lee Phelps as Gambler (uncredited)

John Rice as Drover at Meeting (uncredited)

William Self as Sutter (uncredited)

Carl Sepulveda as Cowhand (uncredited)

Ray Spiker as Wagon Train Member (uncredited)

Glenn Strange as Naylor (uncredited)

Tom Tyler as Quitter (uncredited)

Dan White as Laredo (uncredited)

Guy Wilkerson as Pete (uncredited)

Shelley Winters as Wagon Train Member (uncredited)