Character Relationship Map: Missing in Action

Characters

• Col. James Braddock (played by Chuck Norris) — protagonist

  Resilient US Army colonel and Vietnam POW leading daring rescue missions for captured soldiers.

• Tuck (played by M. Emmet Walsh) — supporting

  Former Army buddy turned black market kingpin in Thailand who aids Braddock.

• Sen. Porter (played by David Tress) — supporting

  US Senator supporting Braddock's investigation into missing soldiers.

• Ann (played by Lenore Kasdorf) — supporting

  Supportive local contact providing crucial information during missions.

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Col. James Braddock → Ann (Professional Supervised Contact) — Ann monitors Braddock during the official visit, but he slips away to pursue information about the prisoners.

  Ann describes Braddock's military history and tries to keep him under supervision in Saigon.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Col. James Braddock → Tuck (Alliance Former Army Associates And Rescue Partners) — Tuck provides transport and equipment for Braddock's pursuit, despite initially insisting that he will not go ashore.

  Braddock finds Tuck, described as an old associate, and persuades him to help with the rescue. Tuck prepares the boat and supplies and eventually acco...

• Col. James Braddock → Sen. Porter (Alliance Investigation Allies) — Porter brings Braddock into the official inquiry, although Braddock doubts that the diplomatic evidence will be persuasive.

  Sen. Porter hopes Braddock's presence will strengthen the delegation's talks, and Braddock agrees to join the delegation investigating missing service...

Story Analysis

A former prisoner of war joins an official inquiry, then pursues a lead on missing American servicemen through the Vietnamese delta.

Plot Progression

1. A Veteran Joins the Inquiry — A television report introduces the investigation into missing servicemen. Braddock joins the delegation but doubts that photographs will persuade the Vietnamese government.
2. A Lead in Saigon — In Saigon, Ann tries to keep Braddock under supervision. He slips away and obtains information pointing to a prisoner camp near Dong Ha.
3. The Rescue Plan — Braddock chooses direct action instead of waiting for diplomacy. He recruits Tuck, who prepares a boat and supplies while Braddock arranges a raft.
4. Across the Delta — Tuck ultimately accompanies Braddock ashore, and they continue toward the camp on foot after encountering danger. Braddock reaches the site and finds the prisoners have already been moved.
5. The Pursuit Continues — Braddock learns the prisoners were taken farther inland along the road connecting to Highway One. He sets off after them, but the available account ends before their fate is known.