Bill Sullivan, played by Robert DeNiro is a General who firstly is tasked with putting together an intellienge branch of the Army, OSS, during World War II. Later, he helps put together the players that form the CIA. Through the movie, Sullivan is plagued with the complications of diabetes, at the beginning simply complaining that his feet hurt to the removal of parts of his feet to his death. He isn't a major character in scene time but a major factor is the progress of the plot. The character is clearly based upon Major General William J. Wild Bill Donovan, the head of the OSS in WWII, and founder of the CIA.