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Olson
The regiment’s new commanding officer, whom Caputo describes as being “broad-backed” and “thick-necked.” Nickerson takes command in late August after Colonel Wheeler is sent back to the United States due to illness. Nickerson is loud and profane but likes socializing with the junior officers and enlisted men. He is also subject to quick, violent shifts in mood. In his good moments, he is warm, affectionate, and works hard at being a combat officer. In his foul moods, he delights in being unreasonable and confuses petty objectives for important ones. He also demands a great deal of work from his soldiers.
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Colonel Nickerson Character Timeline in A Rumor of War
The timeline below shows where the character Colonel Nickerson appears in A Rumor of War. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter Thirteen
...bunker in response to reports that the VC are getting heavy mortars and long-range rockets. Colonel Nickerson orders the junior officers to dig alongside the enlisted men to get the job done...
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One evening, Colonel Nickerson walks into the mess hall and finds several officers drinking beer. He says that he...
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Colonel Nickerson says that he has trouble sleeping due to a company from One-One suffering too many...
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