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The Narrator-Tim O'Brien

This is a native of Minnesota who is drafted the summer after he finishes college.

The Viet Cong

This is the shadowy insurgent army fighting to liberate southern Vietnam from the Americans.

Drill Sergeant Blyton

This is a professional soldier of the traditional kind who detests weakness and intellect.

The Chaplain

This character is friendly but is more of a military officer than a spiritual counselor.

The Battalion Commander

This character believes O'Brien is simply afraid of dying and ignores the questions of justice and morality.

Captain Johansen

This character is the blond, blue-eyed, tall commander of Alpha Company.

Mad Mark

This character had trained as a Green Beret and is dubbed mad because he is actually insanely calm.

Captain Smith

This is a short, fat, ROTC officer from Tennessee.

Major Callicles

This is a man who acts like a brave man, goes on crusades...

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