In Catch-22, Yossarian is a 28-year-old Captain (later Major) and the bombardier of a North American B-25 Mitchell in the 256th Bombardment Squadron of the Army Air Forces, stationed on the small island of Pianosa off the Italian mainland during World War II.
Yossarian's exploits are based on the experiences of the author; Heller was also a bombardier in the USAAF, stationed on an island off the coast of Italy during World War II.
Yossarian is described as a tall, broad, Assyrian man, who frequently causes panic by starting rumors or orchestrating events that either keep him out of direct battle or somehow usurp authority.
Examples of these exploits include poisoning the mess hall with bath soap, accepting an award while naked, and altering a map so a mission will be canceled.
Easily intimidated by the cruelty of others, the Chaplain is a kind, gentle, and sensitive man who worries constantly about his wife and children at home.
He is a 36-year-old man with short graying curly hair, a tall yet beefy build, extremely pale skin, and a host of self-confidence issues.
He is a highly entrepreneurial black marketeer who becomes obsessed with expanding mess operations and trading goods for the profits of the syndicate (in which he and everyone else "has a share").
Milo is both a satire of the modern businessman and a living representation of capitalism, as he has no allegiance to any country, person, or principle unless it generates profit.
Nately's family originally enlisted him to serve in the USAAF, believing the war would be over by the time he finished his training and that he would mingle with "gentlemen."
He is often filled with American optimism, shown by his desire to marry his whore and send her kid sister to a respected college in the United States.
Described as "a warm-hearted, simple-minded gnome," Orr is the only person in the group considered to be crazier than his good friend Yossarian, with whom he shares a tent.
Aarfy sees himself as moral and protects well-connected women from the sexual advances of other officers, but he ends up raping and murdering the innocent maid Michaela.