Paul is a young, anxious infantryman assigned to the Third Squad. He relies heavily on his imagination to process the trauma of the Vietnam War, often daydreaming about the comforts of home and the possibility of simply walking away from the conflict. Holding himself apart from his fellow soldiers, he struggles to manage his deep-seated fears while privately wishing to earn a Silver Star to make his father proud.

Cacciato is a young, plump, and perpetually smiling soldier who lacks the typical hardness of an infantryman. His sudden, inexplicably calm desertion to walk 8,600 miles to Paris sets the primary narrative in motion. Often whistling tunelessly or chewing gum, he confuses his peers, who view him as either incredibly brave or incredibly foolish.

Sarkin is a young Vietnamese refugee from Cholon who joins the squad during their imagined trek to Paris. She acts as a guide and a voice of peace, consistently encouraging the soldiers to abandon the war and prioritize their personal happiness. In Paul's mind, she represents a civilian life free from military obligation and fear.

The aging, ill commander of the Third Squad is a widower who has been demoted twice over the years due to bad luck and alcohol. Despite his physical ailments and weariness, the men love him because he values their safety over strict adherence to military regulations. He approaches the pursuit of Cacciato with a mix of duty and deep exhaustion.

A rigid and well-credentialed military officer, Martin believes heavily in standard operating procedures and the larger purpose of the war. He forces his men to search dangerous underground complexes rather than destroying them from above, prioritizing the mission over individual survival. His strict adherence to protocol causes deep resentment among the soldiers.

Oscar is an aristocratic-looking Black soldier who claims to be from Detroit, though he receives mail in Maine. He acts as the squad's de facto leader when formal command breaks down, heavily influencing the group's decisions. He adopts a tough exterior and takes pragmatic, sometimes brutal approaches to survival.

Doc is the tall, gray-eyed medic of the Third Squad who relies on whatever treatments work, including handing out candy as medicine. He acts as a voice of reason and practical philosophy for the men, believing that soldiers fight purely for survival and self-respect rather than grand political purposes.

Stink is a short, strong, and highly impulsive mechanic who takes excellent care of his rifle but frequently acts without thinking. Quick to anger, he relies on instinct and aggression rather than strategy. He feels entirely disconnected from the local population and communicates with them primarily through loud intimidation.

Eddie is the squad's radioman, characterized by his love for music and his habit of singing a wide variety of songs. He maintains a good-natured presence among the soldiers and takes his duties seriously, often strategizing alongside Doc and Oscar during quieter moments.

Harold is the heavy weapons operator of the Third Squad who carries the machine gun. Pragmatic and cautious, he openly questions the logic of chasing a deserter into hostile territory and across international borders.

Van is a major in the Viet Cong who lives deep inside a complex underground system. Having been drafted and later imprisoned beneath the earth for attempting to run away, he views the terrain itself as the true enemy of the soldiers. He offers the American squad a philosophical perspective on the conflict.

Hamijolli, known as Jolly, is an enthusiastic hotel manager who previously spent two years living in the United States studying at Johns Hopkins. She is deeply fascinated by American culture and provides the weary soldiers with a comforting, domestic environment during their stay in India.

Captain Rhallon is an officer in the Iranian police force who initially questions the squad about their passports and travel documentation. He engages the Americans in deep philosophical discussions about military duty, desertion, and the necessity of purpose in war.

Bernie is a soldier in the platoon who follows orders to search the dangerous underground complexes. His time in the unit is marked by moments of intense fear and a brief, volatile friendship with Stink Harris that ends over a stolen photograph.

Frenchie is a large, politically minded soldier in the platoon who strongly dislikes the squad's general ignorance about the reasons behind the war. He is ordered to squeeze into a tight space despite his size and poor health.

Billy Boy is a soldier whose horrific experience becomes the ultimate war story for the platoon. Suffering a traumatic injury from a landmine, his extreme panic outpaces his physical wounds. His story heavily influences Paul's constant anxiety about the physical effects of fear.

Pederson is a highly moral soldier who carries pictures of Jesus and attempts to reinforce Christian values among the villagers, despite not being Catholic himself. He operates with a strict ethical code, providing aid to wounded civilians and writing to the families of fallen soldiers.

Buff is a heavily built soldier who earns his nickname due to his immense physical strength. He serves as a reliable presence in the platoon's firefights and operations until a chaotic battle in a ditch alters the squad's dynamic.

The two elderly aunts of Sarkin Aung Wan are civilian refugees displaced by the violence of the war. They mourn the loss of their home and their beloved water buffalo, serving as a constant reminder of the collateral damage inflicted upon the local population.

A builder and looming parental figure in Paul's life, his father serves as the primary audience for Paul's internal monologues. Paul desperately hopes to survive the war and bring home a Silver Star simply to prove his courage and earn his father's respect.

Carla is Stink Harris's sister. Her brother fiercely protects her reputation, leading to severe interpersonal conflict when a fellow soldier violates that protective boundary.