Battle Cry

An All-American athlete who eagerly enlists and endures boot camp and radio school with his fellow recruits. He falls for Kathy and elopes with her in Baltimore, seeking normalcy amid war. Wounded and ultimately discharged, he returns home to reunite with Kathy as he faces an uncertain future.

Danny’s girlfriend who becomes his wife after their Baltimore elopement. She embodies steadfast support and endurance as the couple navigates the uncertainties and separations of wartime.

A meditative recruit who hopes to write about his wartime experiences. He forms a connection with Rae on the Coronado ferry and faces the war’s ultimate cost when many are killed, including Marion himself at Saipan.

A mysterious woman who fascinates Marion and becomes part of his quiet, human counterpoint to the battles around them. She shares little about her life but leaves a lasting impression on those who encounter her.

A troublemaking, restless recruit whose barroom sorrows and bravado contrast with the unit’s discipline. He is killed by a sniper, his absence marking a harsh cost of war.

A hard-edged lumberjack who evolves into a more compassionate man. He reforms, marries Pat Rogers, and then faces medical and military crises, including malaria and injuries sustained in battle.

A woman who becomes close to Andy and later marries him after the couple navigates wartime separations. She nurses Andy through illness and bears the tension of wartime decisions and the cost of war on family.

The battalion commander who pushes his men to extremes to maximize their capabilities. He earns a promotion and leads them through brutal campaigns, ultimately sacrificing himself for the mission at Saipan.

A seasoned Marine sergeant who mentors the recruits and steadies them during crises. His guidance helps shape the unit’s resilience and cohesion when the going gets tough.

The general who initially contends with Huxley’s unorthodox methods but ultimately assigns the battalion to the Saipan invasion, recognizing their unique potential.

A married USO worker who helps Danny avoid self-destruction in the bar and plays a role in his romance arc with Kathy.

Danny’s mother, who embodies the family’s concern and support as the war pulls her son into distant campaigns.