It is especially embarrassing for the madly ambitious Colonel Cathcart when Yossarian's stunts occur in front of the wing commander, General Dreedle. Dreedle is a strict disciplinarian, "a blunt, chunky, barrel-chested man in his early fifties." He is gruff, somewhat sadistic, and used to having his orders obeyed. The General's entourage always includes his son-in-law, Colonel Moodus, and an unnamed, buxom nurse whose prodigious proportions are a delight to the General but torture to Moodus. Dreedle hates his son-in-law and keeps him around only to make sure that the young man never has a chance to be unfaithful to Dreedle's daughter. The General also enjoys tormenting him, at night dressing the nurse in a transparent silk uniform, too tight to allow for undergarments, that drives Moodus mad. The General guffaws while Moodus whimpers at the situation.
After the raid on Avignon, in which Snowden is killed, Yossarian refuses to wear any part of his uniform. He shows up nude (he does wear moccasins) for a special formation, at which he is to receive the Distinguished Flying Cross, presented by General Dreedle, for going around twice at Ferrara. Cathcart is humiliated, but Dreedle decides that any man who does his job well and wins a medal may receive it with no clothes on if he chooses. There is the practical problem of where to pin the medal so Dreedle just hands it to Yossarian.
Time being out of joint, the briefing for the mission to Avignon, also attended by General Dreedle, follows this scene. As usual, Dreedle's nurse, blooming "like a fertile oasis," accompanies him and stands "with her asinine smile" in full view of the men. Yossarian moans in erotic misery. Soon others join him. Dreedle demands that they stop, and they do. Unfortunately, Major Danby has been counting down the seconds to synchronize the men's watches; when he realizes that no one is paying attention, he moans in frustration. General Dreedle orders him shot at once. Danby's reprieve comes from a last-second intervention by Moodus who explains to "Dad" that the General really can't do this.
