The military commander cleared his throat, collecting his thoughts.

The commander cleared his throat loudly.

Finally the commander cleared his throat.

Another commander cleared his throat and said that he didn't see why the Russians would care enough about a missile test to go ballistic.

The commander cleared his throat and the expression of pain on his lined face grew, if anything, clearer and more definite.

Then, as if realizing just how much had changed since then, the commander cleared his throat and bowed his head.

The commander had cleared the desk with a headlong dive.

The former commander of the tercio cleared his throat.

The commander cleared his throat and continued.

The commander cleared his throat again.