Iowa who refers to everybody as "Cousin." A member of the radio squad. Mortimer "Speedy" Gray: A cowboy type from Texas. A member of the radio squad. The most openly racist character in the unit. His attitude toward certain other men, particularly Pedro Rojas and Jake Levin, is the source of significant interpersonal conflict. Andrew "Andy" Hookans: A lumberjack from Washington, the "big dumb Swede." A member of the radio squad. Shining Lighttower: A Navajo Native American. Lighttower occasionally plays on the Indian stereotype, talking in native pidgin and asking if he could go home to "the reservation." A member of the radio squad. Joseph "Spanish Joe" Gomez: A Hispanic American, the radio squad's troublemaker and slacker. Jacob "Jake" Levin: A replacement from Brooklyn who joins the radio squad after Guadalcanal. Pedro Rojas: A Navy hospital corpsman assigned to Headquarter's Company. From Texas, the son of Mexican migrant laborers. He is a Pharmacist's Mate who dreams of becoming a doctor. Major Samuel "Highpockets" Huxley: The Battalion Commander. Ziltch: The Battalion Commander's orderly. Marine Gunner Jack Keats: Another old hand and the Battalion Communications Officer. Captain Max Shapiro: Company Commander of Fox Company. First Lieutenant Bryce: Headquarter's Company commander. Staff Sergeant Burnside: Another old hand, squad leader of the radio squad. Gunnery Sergeant McQuade: Another old hand in the Corps, Company Gunnery Sergeant for Fox Company and friend of Mac and Burnside. First Sergeant Pucchi: Another old hand and the Headquarters Company First Sergeant. Milton "Professor" Norton: A fellow recruit at Boot Camp, Norton was an instructor at the University of Pennsylvania prior to joining the Marines. He later volunteers as a Pioneer. Corporal "Tex" Whitlock: The drill instructor at Boot Camp. Platoon Sergeant Beller: The platoon leader at Boot Camp. Theodore "Ted" Dwyer: Another recruit at Boot Camp. Shannon O'Hearne: Another recruit at Boot Camp, a troublemaker. Later becomes a rifle range instructor. Kathleen "Kathy" Walker: Danny's high school sweetheart. Elaine Yarbourough: An older woman Danny has an affair with, the wife of a Navy officer. Susan: Ski's girlfriend. Rae: A woman that Hodgekiss falls in love with. Pat Rogers: A New Zealand woman that Andy falls in love with. Plot The book tells the story of how this diverse group came together to form an effective team, as well as describing the battles they fought in, including the Battle of Guadalcanal, Tarawa and the Battle of Saipan. Also described