The Journey

Follow Lt. Adolph Bennett's path from Hartford to Berlin—146 letters across 481 days, 6 countries, and 4,000 miles.

Map showing Dolph's journey from Hartford, CT across the Atlantic to Europe

Journey Segments

January 30 – February 6, 1945

Departure

Hartford, CTFort Meade, MD

Dolph says goodbye to Jean at the Hartford train station. After final preparations at Fort Meade, he boards a troop transport for Europe.

Letters from this period

#1–5
Letter #1Jan 30

First letter. Written on train at Hartford. Saw "the kid" (Pete). Mentions toilet incident with Ralph. Photos being sent. Deep expressions of love.

Letter #2Feb 1

At replacement depot. Buying equipment - field coat ($33.50), OD towels, underwear. Will send foot locker home. Reassuring Jean about their marriage.

Letter #3Feb 3

"Hubba hubba." Troops preparing to ship out. Thanks Jean for sending hood. Discusses desire for children. Enclosing allotment forms and will.

Letter #4Feb 4

Written on airplane stationery. Reassures Jean about the future — "the end is relatively in sight." Hopeful he might phone her. Dreams of post-war trips together.

Letter #5Feb 4

Fragment/continuation. Resting on bunk, visions of Jean. Nice group of officers. Saw rookies he trained who gave warm greetings.

Journey Progress

Hartford, CTHome