People in the Letters
The family, friends, military personnel, and historical figures who appear throughout Dolph's correspondence.
Family
Lt. Adolph J. "Dolph" Bennett
Letter writer
U.S. Army officer, author of these letters. Born April 20, 1919. Wounded March 17, 1945 near Wadern, Germany.
Appears in: All letters
Ensign Jean Carton Bennett
Recipient, wife
WAVES officer, Dolph's wife. Married March 26, 1944. The beloved recipient of these letters.
Appears in: All letters
Pete ("the kid")
Family member
Referenced in early letters, likely a nephew or young relative Dolph saw before departing.
Appears in: Letters 1, 2
Fan Carton
Jean's mother
Jean's mother. Died January 1946 while Dolph was overseas.
Appears in: Letters 120, 124
Dad Carton
Jean's father
Jean's father. Visited Washington to lobby Senator Russell for Dolph's return.
Appears in: Letter 111
Military Personnel
Lt. Col. Harrington
Military contact
Officer who helped Dolph acquire socks during the Atlantic crossing.
Appears in: Letter 9
Henry Cohen
Fellow officer
Provided detailed account of Jewish DP camp conditions that deeply affected Dolph.
Appears in: Letter 131
Gen. Lucius Clay
Military Governor
Deputy Military Governor of Germany. Spoke at the Holocaust memorial service Dolph attended.
Appears in: Letter 139
Ambassador Robert Murphy
U.S. Ambassador
U.S. Political Adviser for Germany. Also spoke at the memorial service.
Appears in: Letter 139
Civilians Encountered
Michel
French child
7-year-old boy from a French family in Givet who hosted Dolph for an evening.
Appears in: Letter 26
Grandfather ("Boche Kaput")
French civilian
Michel's grandfather who proclaimed "Boche Kaput" (Germans finished) to Dolph.
Appears in: Letter 26
Historical Figures
Franklin D. Roosevelt
U.S. President
His death on April 12, 1945 was a major event in the letters.
Appears in: Letter 65
Adolf Hitler
Nazi dictator
His suicide on April 30, 1945 was celebrated. Dolph visited his bunker one year later.
Appears in: Letters 80, 82, 143
Winston Churchill
British Prime Minister
Announced V-E Day on May 8, 1945.
Appears in: Letter 87
Benito Mussolini
Italian dictator
His execution on April 28, 1945 was noted in the letters.
Appears in: Letter 79