Richie Perry is the 17-year-old protagonist of Fallen Angels. Perry joins the army after high school to avoid being asked what he wants to do in the future. He is young and confused, having no understanding of the true brutality of war or a sense of the person he wants to become. While Perry is bright and talented, dreaming of being a philosopher and writer, his future plans are negatively impacted by his family’s history of poverty—his father abandoned Perry, his younger brother, and mother, and his mother is depressed with an addiction to alcohol. His background highlights the context of socio-economic disparity in the US and conveys a reason why young men were drawn to the relative security of the army.

Perry is a complex character with a deep sense of compassion and empathy. He is a kind and sensitive person who struggles to understand the antiheroic nature of the battlefield. He doubts himself, unsure of his actions and whether they are morally right or wrong. Perry, despite facing death and violence every day, remains sympathetic and compassionate toward his squad members, viewing them as important people in his life. As the novel progresses, Perry matures, transitioning from an innocent teenager to a battle-hardened young man.