Corporal Whitcomb

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Corporal Whitcomb is a fictional character in Joseph Heller's book Catch-22. He lives with the Group Chaplain, Chaplain Tappman, away from the other members of the squadron. Although an atheist, he feels that he could be a better chaplain and that Tappman is constantly trying to prevent him from using his good ideas. In particular, Whitcomb pushes and eventually gains the adoption of general forms to be sent to deceased men's families.

In his mission to destroy the Chaplain's self-esteem and reputation, he is able to convince the two C.I.D men that the Chaplain was intercepting and forging letters. By pushing the Chaplain down, who was essentially a higher rank than him for a good portion of the book, he is able to raise himself up. Thus, he rises in rank and Colonel Cathcart agrees on his general forms of condolences to the families of the deceased.

This attitude of performing extremely immoral acts to boost his own reputation is mirrored by all the major antagonists, including Captain Black, Colonel Cathcart, and Colonel Korn, most of which manipulate the system for their own promotion or gain.