Red is a seasoned, rugged member of the reconnaissance platoon. He grew up in a Montana mining town and spent years traveling as a transient worker and truck driver. He prefers to maintain his independence and tries to avoid forming close emotional attachments to his fellow soldiers. He views the military leadership with deep skepticism and resents officers.

Gallagher is a sour, pessimistic soldier from an Irish Catholic neighborhood in South Boston. He harbors deep-seated resentments about his lack of civilian opportunities and constantly worries about his pregnant wife back in the United States. He struggles to maintain his composure under the pressures of the jungle deployment.

Sam Croft is the tough, unyielding staff sergeant of the recon platoon. Originally from West Texas, he possesses a strict demeanor and demands absolute obedience from his men. He relishes combat and takes pride in his tactical skills, preferring to rule his squad through fear and intimidation.

Lieutenant Robert Hearn is a large, physically imposing officer with a background in literature and leftist politics. Serving as the aide to General Cummings, he struggles with the authoritarian nature of military command. He identifies more closely with the enlisted men despite his privileged background and officer rank.

General Edward Cummings is the strategic and authoritarian commander in charge of the Anopopei campaign. He believes in ruling his troops through fear and views the men strictly as resources to be deployed at his discretion. He enjoys philosophical debates and actively tries to mold Hearn to share his worldview.

Wilson is a genial, untroubled soldier from the South. He serves as an experienced member of the recon platoon who fits easily into groups. He focuses heavily on his personal pleasures, frequently pursuing alcohol and women while avoiding the heavier moral anxieties that plague his peers.

Julio Martinez is a Mexican American scout from San Antonio. Nicknamed 'Japbait' by the other men, he hides his deep combat trauma and sensitivity to noise behind a quiet dedication to his scouting duties. He uses his proficiency in the jungle to gain a sense of control.

William Brown is a sergeant in the platoon who frequently brags about surviving past battles to project strength. Underneath his boastful exterior, he is deeply insecure and tormented by constant fears about his marriage.

Roth is a college-educated soldier newly assigned to the reconnaissance platoon. He heavily dislikes the grueling physical labor of the Army and frequently reflects on the antisemitism he encounters in the ranks. He struggles to keep up with the physical demands of jungle marches.

Joey Goldstein is a Jewish former welder from Brooklyn who tries to maintain a cheerful and optimistic outlook. He feels a strong sense of duty regarding the war in Europe and works hard to build a secure future for his family.

Major Dalleson is a logistics officer from a poor background who joined the Army during the Depression. He enjoys the operational and supply-chain aspects of warfare but feels somewhat uncomfortable dealing with high-ranking officers and strategic combat decisions.

Minetta is a twenty-year-old soldier from an Italian family who hates the physical discomfort of Army life. He actively seeks ways to avoid returning to the front lines, including feigning mental distress in the field hospital.

Casimir Czienwicz, known as Polack, is a tough soldier who grew up in an orphanage. He brings a background involving youth gangs and street survival to his military service.

Toglio is a cooperative member of the platoon who strongly believes in teamwork and following procedure. He actively tries to keep the newer recruits safe during artillery barrages.

Ridges is a deeply religious and physically resilient soldier. He relies on his faith during difficult assignments and views the surrounding jungle through a Biblical lens.

Wyman is a young, inexperienced replacement soldier. He worries constantly about the lack of letters from a girl back home and struggles with the heavy physical demands of moving artillery.

Hennessey is a terrified young replacement soldier. He represents the innocence and vulnerability of the new recruits landing on the hostile shores of Anopopei.

Stanley is a young corporal in the platoon. He acts deferential toward his superiors and specifically seeks the approval of Sergeant Brown to secure his place in the military hierarchy.

Wakara is a Japanese American translator. He enlisted in the Army in part to secure an exit from the domestic internment camps back in the United States.