Radar O'Reilly (MASH)

Radar O’Reilly was a secondary character in the novel MASH: A Novel About Three Army Doctors and the movie based upon the novel.

Radar was a young man who was assigned to serve as company clerk in the 4077 MASH. A highly perceptive young man, Radar was often at Lt. Col Blake's side before his CO even knew he would need Radar, and was able to finish Blake's sentences when Blake gave orders.

When Hawkeye Pierce and Duke Forrest left for camp, they drove the jeep themselves, leading the officer there to report the jeep as stolen. After they arrived in camp Radar anticipated his orders and told Blake that he would change the numbers on the jeep.

Radar helped Hawkeye and Forrest plant a microphone under Margaret O'Houlihan's tent, resulting in the sounds of her making love to Frank Burns being broadcast all over the camp.

After several months Hawkeye was able to leave for home. When Blake asked if Hawkeye had just stolen the jeep he was riding away on, Radar replied that it had been the jeep he arrived on.

Trivia

 * Radar O'Reilly was portrayed by Gary Burghoff. Burghoff also portrayed the character of Radar in the television series, and was the only person to reprise his role for the television series.