A Rumor of War

A Rumor of War

by

Philip Caputo

First Sergeant Fred Wagoner Character Analysis

The company first sergeant. He is “a heavyset man whose thin, gray hair and steel-rimmed glasses” make him look like “a stern grandfather.” Wagoner likes the formalities of military bureaucracy; when Caputo tries to turn in some signed blank fitness report forms, Wagoner tells him to sign a set of fresh forms, due to Caputo having used blue ink instead of the Marine Corps’ standard black ink.
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First Sergeant Fred Wagoner Character Timeline in A Rumor of War

The timeline below shows where the character First Sergeant Fred Wagoner appears in A Rumor of War. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter Two
Heroism and Identity Theme Icon
Loyalty and Camaraderie Theme Icon
The company’s first sergeant, Fred Wagoner , instructs Caputo on the formalities of the Marine Corps, including signing forms only with... (full context)
Chapter Eight
The Morality of War Theme Icon
Officers and platoon sergeants go to headquarters the next morning for the captain’s daily briefing. First Sergeant Wagoner announces that ten percent of the battalion would be allowed “Cinderella liberty” in Da Nang,... (full context)