Nicholas Alexander Norem real name Nikolai Novochev, was found in 1998 floating near the island of Ilze Island. A passing tanker found the soldier and quickly saved him, though he had no memory of his history. He came up with the name of Nicholas Norem after having a slight flashback and soon came to the United States. He then joined the US Army in 1999, and by 2000 was at the rank of Sargeant.