Jimmy Cross is the lieutenant of the Alpha Company which makes him responsible for all the other soldiers in the group.  Even though Jimmy Cross’ intentions are good, he is too immature to be responsible for his men.  He has no passion for the war, and is not confident about his decisions.  He is deeply in love with a girl named Martha who does not feel the same towards him.  His infatuation with Martha causes him to lose focus and make poor decisions.  He blames himself for the loss of Ted Lavender and Kiowa because he follows order rather than intuition.  Eventually, Cross decides not to let Martha distract him, and burns the sacred letters he treasured so dearly.  Throughout the story, Cross makes many sacrifices so that his men will not be consumed by guilt or grief.
What he carries: letters from Martha, photographs of Martha, and a good luck pebble from Martha.

Henry Dobbins is a machine gunner.   His large and intimidating appearance is a great contrast to his gentle and kind personality.  He is a decent and simple man who serves aa a source of comic relief by wearing the pantyhose of his lover around his neck as a “good luck charm.”
What he carries: extra rations, M-60 (biggest gun), pantyhose.

Kiowa is a quiet, rational, religious, and beloved man.  He is a practical and honest soldier who is always helping the other soldiers rationalize their actions.  He is a Native American Baptist that brings a different perspective to the war.  Kiowa’s gruesome death is perhaps the hardest to accept.  He drowns in the sewage field that Cross was weary of, leaving Cross with extreme guilt and anger.  The unfortunate death of Kiowa, a quiet and peaceful man, is a prime example of the horror and cruelty of war and the way it can transform an identity into a statistic. 
What he carries: Bible, moccasins, hatchet

Ted Lavender is a stereotypical drug user in Nam. He appears early in the novel and leaves early as well. He carried, among other things, weed and, tranquilizers.

Bob "Rat” Kiley is a medic.  He is highly skilled and respected medic of the platoon.  He is thoughtful and kind, but that does not prevent the stress and hardships of the war from having a damaging effect on him.  The pressure eventually becomes too much for him to handle, and he deliberately shoots off his toe so that he will be forced to leave his post.  Kiley’s absence has the greatest effect on O’Brien’s who is mistreated by the medic that replaces Kiley (Bobby Jorgenson).

Mitchell Sanders is an influential and loyal man.  He often tells war stories that lack a moral because he is not trying to deliver moral meaning; he is trying to explain an experience (which is never simple or bland).  Sanders has a strong sense of loyalty, and does not participate in anything he does not feel is fair.  For example, when O’Brien plans to inflict revenge on Bobby Jorgenson, he asks Sanders to be involved.  Despite the strong friendship O’Brien and Sanders share, Sanders refuses because he does not feel it is right.  Mitchell Sanders takes on the role of a father figure and makes profound impressions on the people he associates with, especially O’Brien.
What he carries: a radio and condoms

Dave Jensen is the other player in the jackknife saga. He was superstitious and very hygienic. He was the character obsessed with his feet. He broke his pack with Strunk only to see that it didn’t matter.

  Kurt Lemon is best known for his death, “The lemon tree”. He also was the character who had the issue with the dentist. Lemon was an image of immaturity amidst the stresses of the war.

Lee Strunk is a player in the jackknife saga. He symbolizes first the friendship development among the violence. He also carried a sling shot around. Asked to be shot if ever he was hurt so bad, and when he is he asked Jensen to not kill him.