Reaching back to the 6th century BCE, Greek theater continues to influence modern-day art. From the mythical legends of the god of theater, Dionysus, to modern-day interpretations of Heracles, the charm of the ancient world still affects us. Today, ruins of over 50 ancient Greek theaters remain scattered around Greece. Whether you are a recovering theater kid or simply interested in drama, this guide will explore five ancient theaters in mainland Greece worth visiting.   Why Mainland Greece? Photograph of the Acropolis in Athens, Greece, by Dawid Tkocz, 2023. Source: Unsplash   It is no secret that over-tourism is plaguing the Greek Islands. While the allure of Mykono’s golden beaches and Santorini’s iconic white houses are appealing, mainland Greece offers an authentic look into Greek history and culture. While there are a handful of Greek theaters on islands such as Milos, Delos, and Rhodes, the majority of Greek theaters are found on the mainland.   1. The Theater of Epidaurus Photograph of the theater of Epidaurus, by Genny Dimitrakopoulou, 2019. Source: Unsplash   The cream of the crop is the theater of Epidaurus. It is considered the best-preserved Greek theater in the world. It still maintains its near-perfect acoustics and structure. The theater was built in the late 4th century BCE and can fit between 13,000 and 15,000 audience members. Many academics consider the space a perfect example of a classical theater.   Visitors can test the acoustics for themselves. One person can stand in the center of the stage, which is 20 meters (65 feet) in diameter, and whisper. The other can then climb to the highest point of the theater. From here, the listener at the top of the theater can still clearly hear the person whispering from 50 meters (164 feet) below. However, it is not just the performance space that makes it so magnificent. Located in the underrated Peloponnese region, lush vegetation and mountain views surround the theater. Travelers visiting during the summer can attend the annual Athens Epidaurus Festival, formerly the Epidaurus Festival. Since 1954, audiences have enjoyed both ancient and modern plays in this historic setting.   Additionally, the theater of Epidaurus overlooks the Sanctuary of Asklepios. Ancient Greeks used this site as a place to honor the god of its namesake. As Asklepios was a god of healing, the sanctuary also served as a therapy center. Whether you are dying to recite lines from Antigone or read from your own works, the theater of Epidaurus is a must-visit for anyone interested in drama or Greek mythology.   2. Theater of Dionysus, Athens Photograph of the theater of Dionysus. Source: Wikimedia Commons   The theater of Dionysus is the easiest to visit if you are short on time. Located on the southern side of the iconic Acropolis of Athens, the theater is exceptionally accessible to tourists. The ancient Greeks constructed the space in the 6th century BCE. It held 17,000 audience members. Initially, the theater was used to make sacrifices to the Greek gods. The floor was 60 feet in diameter and contained an altar in the center.   It must be noted that there is much dispute surrounding the space regarding how it was constructed. Some experts argue the theater was originally built with wood and later changed. Toward the 5th century BCE, the theater of Dionysus was used for plays. Iconic ancient playwrights such as Sophocles and Euripides saw their works come to light here. Around 61 CE, the Romans, under Nero, made significant improvements to the space. They likely added a raised stage and replaced the wood with stone.   After the fall of the Roman Empire, the theater of Dionysus went uncared for until its rediscovery in 1765. In the late 1800s, the Greek architectural authority under Wilhelm Dörpfeld restored the theater. Today, many tourists and locals regularly enjoy live theater, concerts, and other performances in the historic theater of Dionysus. Its picturesque location under the Parthenon makes it a needed stop on any Grecian itinerary.   3. Ancient Theater of Delphi Photograph of the ancient theater of Delphi, by DiChatz, 2019. Source: Unsplash   Many people know the ancient city of Delphi for its oracles. Even the famed Alexander the Great made a trip to hear them. However, Delphi was also the setting of the Pythian Games. The Pythian Games was one of four games, including the Olympic Games, that made up the Panhellenic Games of Ancient Greece. These games were essentially a mini version of today’s Olympics.   The ancient city is home to the 5,000-seat ancient theater of Delphi. The performance space was created in the 4th century using limestone from Mount Parnassus. It is located on the side of a steep hill overlooking the Temple of Apollo and the surrounding olive groves. The theater was used for musical contests during the Pythian Games. The original form of the theater is lost to time. What travelers see today is the result of the 160-159 BCE restoration efforts by Eumenes II of Pergamon.   While visiting the theater, be sure to continue walking up the hill to the Stadium of Delphi. At the highest point of the city, it is one of the best-preserved ancient stadiums in the world. The stadium accommodated about 500 spectators to watch track events during the Pythian Games. Visitors should note that it is an intense vertical hike to the stadium from the visitor center, and they should bring plenty of water as there is little shade.   4. Ancient Theater of Dodona Photograph of the Ancient theater of Dodona, by Holger Uwe Schmitt, 2022. Source: Wikimedia Commons   While less well known than the city of Delphi, Dodona was home to the first oracles of Greece. Many believed the area to be the second home of the god Zeus.   Dating back to the late 2nd century BCE, the limestone theater of Dodona is believed to have held between 15,000 to 18,000 people. Its capacity made it one of the largest theaters in the Hellenic world. The theater was commissioned by the king of the Greek tribe Molossians, Pyrrhus of Epirus. King Pyrrhus was said to be an admirer of Alexander the Great and wanted to create a grandiose city to match his own ambitions.   As with many Grecian structures, their purposes changed with the arrival of the Romans. It is believed that Emperor Augustus turned the theater of Dodona’s orchestra area into an arena for classic Roman animal fights. Following 132 CE, both the city and theater were left essentially abandoned.   As recently as 2024, efforts by the Greek government are underway to restore the theater of Dodona. According to The Greek Reporter, Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni, stated that these restoration efforts are “one of the most complex and difficult projects” the Greek government has ever attempted. While Dodona is farther from Athens than others on this list, the historical significance of its ancient lineage is well worth a sojourn.   5. First Ancient Theater of Larissa Photograph of the First Ancient Theater of Larissa, by Apostle Ktenas, 2015. Source: Wikimedia Commons   Antigonus II Gonatas of Macedonia constructed the first ancient theater of Larissa at the beginning of the 3rd century BCE. The theater is the largest in the region of Thessaly, as it can hold 10,000 audience members. Historians believe that the theater was created with the intention of worshipping and honoring the god of theater, Dionysus. It is thought that the theater held performances for at least six centuries. Like others on this list, the theater fell into Roman hands. Around the first century, the theater was used for animal fights, Roman celebrations, and even duals. Eventually, the citizens of Larissa created the less-impressive second theater of Larissa, simply because the first had been transformed.   An earthquake struck Larissa in the 7th century CE. The quake took out the second floor of the first theater’s orchestra and a large portion of the main stage. It sits on a slope (like the theater of Dionysus in Athens) that imitates an amphitheater shape and has been under continuous excavation efforts since 1985. Today, visitors can walk through much of the first level and see parts of what used to be a grand stage.   The second ancient theater of Larissa is easy to visit when visiting the first. However, it is far less impressive. Not much is known about the second theater, but historians have determined that it was built during the reign of Caesar Augustus in the 1st century BCE. At one point, the temple of Demeter and a Christian church stood on the site. The second ancient theater of Larissa was rediscovered in 1978, and excavations continued into the mid-1980s.   Larissa Theater. Source: Wikimedia Commons   Centuries later, the first ancient theater of Larissa “reopened” in 2024 to occasionally host cultural events and concerts. The ongoing restoration efforts have made the theater more accessible to visitors with mobility needs. With newfound life in 2024, the first ancient theater of Larissa serves as a reminder of the enduring legacy of Greek theater.

  Few weapons hold as much mystique as the katana, often said to have a spirit of its own for good or ill. It is depicted as a dueling and battlefield weapon to be wielded by those with unsurpassed might at arms. One of the most well-known tropes in fiction dealing with weapons is that of the so-called “quick draw.” Similar to how a gunslinger in a Western draws his gun and instantly fires accurately from the hip, a skilled samurai could have his sword drawn and cut through three enemies in an instant. Although exaggerated for storytelling purposes, there is a martial art devoted to cutting from the draw: iaijutsu, sometimes shortened to iai. This word means “self-harmony.” Another word used is battoujutsu, or the “sword-drawing art.”   How Did Iaijutsu Come About? Musha Burui, Broken Sword, by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, 1886. Source: Ukiyo-e.org   Prior to the katana and wakizashi, a samurai in the late Kamakura or early Muromachi period would have worn the tanto for everyday carry, reserving the tachi for field engagements.   After the Mongol invasions of 1274 and 1281, the Japanese realized that their existing weapons were not as effective against outside enemies as they had hoped: to wit, the tachi often wound up with a broken tip and it was too large to use in mass infantry formations. Therefore, the shorter katana was developed.   The earliest recorded system of iaijutsu dates to sometime in the 15th century, when the turbulence of the Sengoku Period was in full swing but before the introduction of firearms. The katana, because of its subtle curvature and edge-up mounting, was well suited to self-defense applications on the street because it works with existing human biomechanics. The arm moves in an arc when drawing and cutting with the sword and the curve of the blade follows this arc.   Fundamentals of Iaijutsu Sugatsune Drawing Sword, by Katakana Shunsho, 18th century. Source: Ukiyo-e.org   Each waza (/technique) consists of four parts. First is nukitsuke, the drawing of the sword. From a sheathed position, the samurai brings his sword out in a draw cut usually across the eyes or the throat. Sometimes they would cut from other angles. This was to warn the enemy off or dissuade them from fighting.   Second is kirioroshi, the finishing cut. If, after nukitsuke, the enemy was still hostile, the more powerful two-handed cut would ensure a quicker death. To leave a maimed warrior to die a slow death was viewed as one of the most dishonorable acts possible. After confirming the kill (simulated in training by remaining ready) comes chiburi, the act of shaking the blood off the sword, and noto, which is sheathing the sword while maintaining readiness.   Practical Applications in Fencing Duel in the Snow, by Saito Takao, 1980. Source: Ukiyo-e.org   The common trope of a swordsman sheathing his sword mid-fight is the equivalent of a boxer dropping his guard: it is simply excess motion. Iaijutsu is not a “fighting style.” It is meant to complement existing kenjutsu. Although ideally, an encounter would play out as described above, reality often tells a different story. As a way to deploy a weapon instantly, iaijutsu played a lifesaving role: it enabled a samurai to transition from a completely relaxed state to full combat readiness in less than a second. After the sword was out, standard kenjutsu tactics would be the go-to.   Each iaijutsu waza addresses a given situation a swordsman might encounter. This is referred to as bunkai (practical application). Some examples include facing a sudden attack from any direction while in seiza, dealing with multiple enemies, or fighting from inside a low doorway or in a narrow alleyway. The samurai knew that violence does not occur in a vacuum: numerous environmental and social constraints could be in place that would require a different approach to fighting. For example, the waza Kabezoe from Eishin-ryu assumes that the swordsman is walking through an extremely narrow alleyway and thus dispenses with the standard nukitsuke to draw almost vertically before the kirioroshi.   Moving Meditation Practice With the Long-Handled Sword, by Katsushika Hokusai, 1817. Source: Ukiyo-e.org   Iaijutsu is not only a martial art, it is also a conduit for meditation. While all martial arts require correct movement for effectiveness, iai requires such for the user’s own safety. Incorrect form can cause the katana to slice through the saya and the swordsman’s thumb. Therefore, the art requires absolute focus. Coupled with deep breathing to relax the body and mind, the deliberate movements of iai lend themselves well to developing single-minded concentration, similar to cultivating Zen gardens.   Iai students must use their imagination; to learn to practice the techniques with intent, they have to picture an attacker clearly. This creates a sense of urgency and the need to act with pure focus and intent. This level of discipline can transfer into all martial arts practice. To quiet the mind prior to beginning a waza, it is customary to take several deep breaths to relax the muscles. One problem that iai beginners tend to have is too much tension in their upper body, which drains power and range of motion from the muscles.   During the Edo Period, samurai had largely become government officials rather than the soldiers they had been. It was expected that they would continue to practice with the sword but it took on a more spiritual focus.   Famous Schools Katori Shrine. Source: Wikimedia Commons   Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto-ryu   Although not completely iai–focused, Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto-ryu is one of the oldest and most respected sword styles. It contains 16 iai waza divided into three sets: Omote no Iai (Basics of Sword Drawing), Tachiai Battojutsu (Standing Sword Drawing Forms), and Gokui no Iai (Essentials of Sword Drawing). Only the most advanced students are taught Gokui no Iai. A notable aspect of this school is the dynamic movement. One waza involves the swordsman performing nukitsuke in midair. Also, the traditional seiza is often not used: instead, a kneeling posture called iaigoshi takes its place.   Muso Jikiden Eishin-Ryu   This is one of the most comprehensive iai styles, with over a hundred waza devoted to a variety of situations in seiza, tatehiza, and standing positions. Eishin-ryu is said to be descended from a style taught by Hayashizaki Jinzaemon. Legend has it that he witnessed his father’s murder and swore vengeance, praying to the kami to enlighten him and aid him in his revenge: these methods of drawing a sword were said to be the result of this prayer and he eventually found his father’s killer.   Tsumaki Tamiya-ryu   Tsumaki Tamiya-ryu is another iai style developed during the late 16th century, as a contemporary of Eishin-ryu. It is notable for including—in addition to its iai curriculum—kenshibu and shigin, or the arts of fan/sword kata and traditional poetry reading. This is in keeping with the expectation of samurai as being skilled swordsmen as well as being culturally literate. There is another school called Tamia-ryu known as the Kuroda branch, and it specializes in the use of swords with longer hilts for leverage.   Benefits of Iai Practice Mugai-ryu Musogaeshi. Source: Wikimedia Commons   When dealing with martial arts, the question that inevitably comes up is “Why bother with this art?” That seems especially apt at first glance, for an art concerned with such a seemingly outdated weapon as the katana. The chances of getting into a life-or-death duel with swords is, thankfully, nearly non-existent, but it doesn’t mean the art is useless.   Iai is an art of calm and relaxed focus. By training diligently in iai, one can develop a keen sense of awareness as well. Spatial awareness is important in all martial arts, but even more so when dealing with weapons because the wielder has to know where the weapon is at all times in relation to themselves and any bystanders.   In addition, iai is a low-impact form of exercise that can be practiced by people of all ages. It does not employ sparring or high-contact drills. It is suited for calm, meditative practice that poses no danger to the student; only at advanced levels of study are students allowed to use a live blade, referred to as a shinken, in the dojo.   Modern Iai: Equipment and Training Iai uniform. Source: Wikimedia Commons   To practice iaijutsu, students require the traditional dogi that is common in many martial arts. They also need the obi and the hakama. The obi is a thick sash-like belt wrapped around the waist. The hakama is a pleated pair of trousers that feature as part of Japanese traditional dress. The sword is inserted into the obi between the first and second layers; if a wakizashi is worn, it goes under all the layers of the obi.   Only advanced students are allowed to practice with live steel for the purposes of safety. Most beginner iai students start out with a bokuto and a plastic saya. Later, they can upgrade to an iaito, which is an unsharpened katana made of aluminum-zinc alloy that gives the same aerodynamic feel of a live sword without the attendant danger.   Some practice drills call for more elaborate equipment, but this varies by school. For example, some iai techniques in Yagyu Shinkage make use of the fukuro–shinai, which is a leather-bound bamboo sword that cushions the force of a blow. Padded gloves might also be used in practicing partnered forms that involve cuts to the wrist or forearms.   Blade and Mounting for a Sword (Katana), Fittings inscribed by 高本秀宗, Takamoto Hidemune, 16th century; mounting, 19th century. Source: The MET, New York   Post-war Japan intended to maintain its martial arts traditions while not making them overtly militaristic as they had been during the heyday of the samurai. Iai was one of these. This is where the Zen Nippon Iaido Renmei comes in.   The Zen Nippon Iaido Renmei, or All Japan Iai Federation, is an organization whose purpose is to unify and preserve iai study, as well as to provide a means for testing fairly across different schools. It was formed in 1948 and in 1956 compiled a list of five waza from the various styles. They come from Eishin-ryu, Mugai-ryu, Shindo Munen-ryu, Suio-ryu, and Hoki-ryu.   These techniques are said to be the most representative of their respective styles and each employs a different skill important across all of iaijutsu.

  The Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in the United States military. Authorized by Congress in 1861, nearly 3,500 servicemen have earned the award since its inception. Although it was first intended for Naval recipients, the award’s availability quickly expanded to deserving Army soldiers. After 150 years of existence, the Medal of Honor is a unique honor for its recipients. With such an extraordinary history, the story of Jacob Parrott sheds light into the deeds of valor deserving of the Medal of Honor.   Who Is Jacob Parrott? Jacob Parott in uniform, 1860s. Source: Wikimedia Commons   Private Jacob Parrott, born on July 17th, 1843, enlisted in the Union Army during the Civil War at just 19 years old. Not much is known about the young soldier’s life prior to his climatic actions during the war. As a member of Company K, 33rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, a predecessor of the Ohio National Guard, Parrott volunteered for a risky mission that would serve as a precedent for the awarding of the Medal of Honor in the decades to come. Designed to cripple the Confederacy when it was least expecting it, this raid is currently known as the Great Locomotive Chase and came at a time when the Union was desperate for a victory.   A Rough Start Volunteer Union soldiers from Ohio, 1861-1865. Source: Library of Congress   During the first year of the Civil War, the Union Army was at a disadvantage compared to the Confederates. Eleven southern states seceded from the Union, leading to an outbreak of armed conflict following decades of tensions over socio-economic differences, particularly the institution of slavery. During the early years of the Civil War, some foreign powers considered recognizing the independence of the Confederacy. The Confederate Army enjoyed initial success as it fought primarily from within their own territory, controlled most of the coastline to resist Union naval blockade, while Confederate President Jefferson Davis sought diplomatic support from Europe. President Lincoln had to act fast to rescue the Union, and the Union Army began considering ambitious plans behind enemy lines to seize the initiative.   The Plan General Mitchel on Horseback, 1861/62. Source: Library of Congress   To turn the tide of the war, a civilian spy and smuggler, James J. Andrews, recommended an audacious plan to Union Army leaders: if the Union could steal a high value train 200 miles behind enemy lines, the north could cut off communication and supply lines essential to Confederate military operations. The bold operation demanded individuals who were willing to risk their personal safety for the greater good. Parrott was among 25 soldiers who volunteered to execute the operation. Union General Ormsby Mitchel approved the plan in April 1862, informing Parrott and his peers of the dangers that lay ahead.   Andrews’ plan required the selected volunteers to sneak into Georgia, a risky undertaking as the Confederates were used to executing captured spies. The raiders masqueraded as a small group of loyal southerners traveling from Kentucky to Atlanta to enlist in the Confederate Army, a difficult cover story considering there were plenty of enlistment offices between themselves and the destination. On April 7th, 1862, General Mitchel led Parrott and two dozen soldiers to a railway in Chattanooga. There, the group headed to Marietta, the final staging area before raiding the Confederate train at Big Shanty. In the Union’s eyes, Big Shanty was an enticing target because the station did not have telegraph connections. This meant that if General Mitchel’s small force could hijack the train quickly, they could out-run the news before it reached the Confederate authorities. The plan, however, did not come to fruition as intended.   The Raid Illustration of the Great Locomotive Raid in Deeds of Valor: How America’s Civil War Heroes Won the Congressional Medal of Honor, 1901. Source: Wikimedia Commons   On the journey from Chattanooga to Marietta, two of General Mitchel’s men were enlisted on the spot by Confederates and two overslept the train’s departure to Big Shanty. Already a small band, the raiding party now faced the task of overthrowing a well-armed depot with even fewer men after facing delays as rumors spread of General Mitchel’s movement south. Upon arrival at Big Shanty, the train’s crew and passengers departed the locomotive, and the raiders got to work. In minutes, Parrott and his peers detached the engine, fuel car, and three boxcars, before barreling north as fast as possible.   A Short Journey Confederate fortifications in Atlanta, 1864. Source: Library of Congress   The Confederates chased the raiders for the next 87 miles, delayed by Union efforts to break sections of track and destroy telegraph wires along the way. Andrews’ raiders hastened their escape by releasing two box cars, blocking the track for Confederate chasers. Despite these actions, the raiders ran out of fuel and were forced to stop for wood and water near the Georgia-Tennessee border. The Confederate pursuers soon caught up with the hijackers, forcing Parrott and his fellow soldiers to disperse just a few miles south of Chattanooga. After just seven hours, the Great Locomotive Chase was over.   Unfortunately for Parrott and the other raiders, the daring mission’s effects proved mostly futile. While they achieved some successes in stealing the train and damaging telegraph and supply lines, the Union volunteers failed to destroy any bridges, and their adversaries quickly repaired the damage to the railroad infrastructure. General Mitchell, who stayed at Big Shanty, delayed his follow-on movements to Huntsville, Alabama, longer than intended. This gave the Confederacy time to fully recover before the raid had any material impact.   After the Raid The largest Confederate prison camp in Andersonville, Georgia, 1862. Source: Library of Congress   Parrott and the remaining Union soldiers attempted to avoid Confederate capture after the chase was over. For most of the raiders, however, these efforts were unsuccessful. The mission’s mastermind, Andrews, was executed in Atlanta, Georgia, alongside eight other raiders. Parrott’s fate, while troubling, was more fortunate as he was spared execution and instead forced to bear mistreatment in Confederate confinement. In Atlanta, ten raiders escaped Confederate imprisonment.   Less than a year later, Parrott was released in a prisoner exchange in March 1863 and returned north. Despite the raid’s untimely failure, the bold actions of Andrews’ team spread quickly in the north, and Parrott and his peers were celebrated as courageous heroes. As a result, Parrott was bestowed the Medal of Honor in the weeks following his return, and five other raiders received the same accolade for their parts in the mission shortly thereafter.   For decades after the Great Locomotive Chase, the train and mission represented unifying figures for both sides of the Civil War. The locomotive itself, named “The General” was displayed at a monument in Ohio dedicated to Andrews, Parrott, and their comrades in 1891. One year later, the car was delivered to Chattanooga where the raiders staged their assault. Now, it sits in the same location it was hijacked, available for public viewing inside the Southern Museum of Civil War Locomotive History in Kennesaw, Georgia.   A Lasting Legacy President Lincoln at General Grant’s headquarters, 1865. Source: Library of Congress   Despite the hijacking’s failures, the Great Locomotive Chase holds a respected place in military history today, largely in part for its role in bestowing the United States’ first Medal of Honor. In retrospect, the bold Union strategies in 1862 marked a significant turning point of the Civil War. Shortly after the Great Locomotive Chase, Union armies won the battles of Second Manassas, Antietam, and Fredericksburg, which inspired hopes in the north that the Union would eventually prevail and the country would be reunited. Union heroism during these battles built upon the sacrifices of Andrew’s raiders. Since 1887, several authors have published books on the raid, and a movie was produced in 1956 to highlight the daring mission’s importance.   Before the end of the Civil War, Parrott was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant. After the war was over, the inaugural Medal of Honor recipient returned to his humble carpentry roots in Ohio, where he married Sarah Lawrence in 1866. Parrott remained friends with a fellow Andrew’s raider, Wilson Brown, until his death in December 1908. Parrott is buried in Grove Cemetery in Kenton, Ohio, near a road named in his honor, Jacob Parrott Boulevard. While Parrott is not a well-known figure in American popular culture, his memory continues to be honored inside military and historical circles. For as long as the Medal of Honor exists, the role of Parrott and his fellow raiders in the Great Locomotive Chase will not be forgotten.   The Medal of Honor Today A Civil War Era Medal of Honor, 1864. Source: Library of Congress   The Medal of Honor has evolved from its original conception. Three variants of the award now exist: one for the Army, Navy and Marines, and Air Force and Space Force, respectively. As the nation’s first conflict in which the accolade was awarded, the Civil War represents nearly half of all Medals of Honor recipients, illustrating how the award is increasingly rare in modern warfare. In fact, of the two and a half million service members who served overseas in support of the Global War on Terrorism, only 16 have received the Medal of Honor. Today, living Medal of Honor recipients enjoy a special pension and retirement pay, free admission for their children into American service academies, and prioritized medical benefits. Certainly, the award represents significance greater than the actions of a single individual, as exemplified by the bravery of Jacob Parrott and each of Great Locomotive Chase raiders over 150 years ago.

This the story of William Hitler, the nephew of Adolf Hitler. William enlisted and served in the U.S. Navy in 1944 after personally imploring the President, Roosevelt to admit him into the Allied armed forces. After some understandable hesitation, the U.S. authorities relented, and William proceeded to join the fight against the Axis regime in the Pacific. This is his story.Steve Prout explains. William Hitler receiving his honorable discharge from Navy Commander Louis A. Fey.The early life of William HitlerWilliam was born in March 1911 in Liverpool, England to Alois Hitler and Bridget Dowling. Alois, William’s father was the half-brother of Adolf Hitler, therefore making Adolf William’s half uncle. William’s parents met in 1909 in Dublin when Alois was working as a waiter. Alois met Bridget Dowling there and they quickly eloped to London in 1910 and married. It was not an auspicious start to married life because Alois was accused of “kidnapping” Bridget by her father. The reality was that Alois did not obtain the customary yet old-fashioned blessing for the marriage from Bridget’s father. Eventually Bridget’s family become resigned to the fact that the marriage was now a fait accompli. The couple then moved and settled in Toxteth, Liverpool where William was born a year later. The marriage did not last, and Alois returned to Germany in 1914 where he entered a bigamous marriage with Hedwig Mickley. They would both produce a son whom them named Heinz. Unlike William, Heinz became an ardent Nazi, who later perished in Soviet captivity in 1942. Alois became a restaurant owner which continued to run throughout the war’s duration. His wife, Bridget, was left to raise William alone in England now with the aid of her Irish family. Meanwhile, in Germany Adolf Hitler was about to make the family name a terrible part of history.At the age of eighteen, while his half-uncle Adolf was making his presence known in German politics, William took on a more sober profession and trained to be an accountant in Highgate, London with Benham and Sons. When his connection to Adolf Hitler was discovered, his position was allegedly terminated, and many subsequent opportunities became closed to him. Visting Germany and meeting Adolf HitlerIn 1929, after turning eighteen, William visited in Germany at the request of his estranged father. While in Germany he met his uncle Adolf Hitler for the first time, who was beginning to make an impact on German political life. After a brief stay William returned England. The first meeting with his uncle did not go well. Shortly after his return to England William was ordered to return to Berlin by Adolf, who subsequently admonished his nephew for his public revelations about him. William had on his return authored several articles that were published which irked the Nazi leader and he forced William to withdraw them. The incident appeared to have blown over, or it was more likely that Adolf Hitler’s wider ambitions in German politics consumed his full attention. William would try unsuccessfully to make a life in England and Adolf would seize control of Germany. It would be another four years before William would visit again and that also  did not go well for William.In 1933 William returned to Germany, this time on the advice of his mother with the plan to use Adolf Hitler’s influence to improve William’s career opportunities. Britain at the time was still recovering from the Great Depression and had little to offer William. To make matters worse, being related to the Hitler family was very limiting for William; however, Germany’s economy was showing signs of prosperity and being related to Adolf Hitler carried some currency for William.The plan seemed to work at first. Adolf’s influence first found William work in the Reich Credit Bank. This did not seem to favor William who then took on the role as a car salesperson in the Opel Car Factory. William did not last in any of  these jobs and his constant demands for alternative ones exasperated his uncle. He would soon label William, “My loathsome nephew” and stated, “I didn’t become Chancellor for the benefit of my family…No one is going to climb on my back.” In 1939, after refusing to give up his British citizenship and fearing being trapped in In Germany while it was in a war, he fled back to England and then onto the USA. William had spent six years in Germany.Willam also had little good to say about his uncle and of his time in Germany. On a tour of the USA in 1939 he officially announced that he “had no time for Hitler” and he (Adolf) was “of no benefit to the human race”.He was projecting as an avid anti-Nazi doing “the right thing” but let us for a moment analyze that stance. Was the extent of his antipathy toward his uncle or the regime. Also was it more owing to failure to prosper in Germany than a dislike of Nazism?William spent six years in Germany, and this was long enough to not fail to see the loathsome direction the Nazi Party and his uncle were taking the country and its people. However, we do not know how well acquainted he was with Adolf Hitler and how often he met his uncle. It is worth considering that in 1939 the true face and brutality of Nazism and Hitler were now becoming clearer to the world . Public events such as Kristallnacht, the antisemitism in the streets, the growing totalitarianism, the secret police, the rallies, and the growing militarism did not seem to deter William who still persisted in trying to carve out a career when all this was going on. He still could have easily slipped back to England. We will never know, and this is doing him a disservice. William, the USA, and the warAfter William left Germany, he visited the United States with his mother and began an anti-Nazi themed lecture tour that focused on his time with Adolf Hitler. This was encouraged by publisher William Randolph Hearst who, like William, saw this as very lucrative. William immediately went on a nationwide lecture tour of the USA. It was simply titled “My Uncle Adolf.”  The content was of course focused on his experiences with Hitler and the Nazis to the various audiences. This would be the only theatre where William would challenge his uncle’s regime. His combat experience would be confined to the Pacific theatre.When World War II broke out William was still in the United States, but he still tried to join the British forces. For obvious reasons he was rejected and for a short while he sat as a bystander as the German army subjugated Europe. When the U.S. later entered the war William send a letter dated March 3, 1942, to President Roosevelt appealing for him to be allowed to join the U.S. forces and stating why he felt he was not allowed to serve in the British forces. The letter read:“I am the nephew and only descendant of the ill-famed Chancellor and Leader of Germany who today so despotically seeks to enslave the free and Christian peoples of the globe. Under your masterful leadership men of all creeds and nationalities are waging desperate war to determine, in the last analysis, whether they shall finally serve and live an ethical society under God or become enslaved by a devilish and pagan regime.” It continues:"All my relatives and friends soon will be marching for freedom and decency under the Stars and Stripes … I am respectfully submitting this petition to you to enquire as to whether I may be allowed to join them in their struggle against tyranny and oppression. As a fugitive from the Gestapo, I warned France through the press that Hitler would invade her that year. The people of England I warned by the same means that the so-called ‘solution’ of Munich was a myth that would bring terrible consequences….The British are an insular people and while they are kind and courteous, it is my impression, rightly or wrongly, that they could not in the long term feel overly cordial or sympathetic towards an individual bearing the name I do.” His application was passed to the FBI who eventually seemed satisfied with his background and his intentions. William was drafted into the US Navy in March 1944. He served as a pharmacist’s mate (aka hospitals corpsman), earning himself the purple heart medal after receiving a shrapnel wound to the heart. He remained in service until 1947. Whether his uncle knew about his enlistment or not we cannot be certain. It is more likely Adolf Hitler showed no interest in his nephew’s affairs after washing his hands of him before the war. Also, Adolf Hitler’s mental state deteriorated as the tide of the war was turning against Germany, therefore his “loathsome nephew”  would have been of little interest to him amid his more pressing concerns. Post War LifeAfter the war, William changed his name to William Stuart-Houston and became an entrepreneur. He married Phyllis Jean Jaques in 1947 shortly after leaving the navy. Unlike his father before him he remained married and stayed with Phyliss until his death in 1987. It was a marriage that was certainly more successful than that of his parents. They had four sons born between 1949 and 1965, Alexander, Louis, Howard, and Brian (the latter being the youngest). None of William’s children sired any offspring. His wife, Phyllis, died in 2004.It is of little surprise that William would spend his life in relative obscurity after the war. The true nature of his uncle’s legacy and the full extent of the Nazi atrocities were a permanent stain to his name. William had an extraordinary life, with winning the Purple Heart, being personally attended to by Roosevelt, vehemently opposing Adolf Hitler, and going on to run a successful business in America.Although William served as a medic in the US Navy and not in actual physical combat, the challenges he faced were just as formidable. He had the reputation of his family name to overcome and as the horrors of the Nazi brutality were revealed post war, that challenge certainly would not have been made any easier. Despite his limited combat experience his actual contribution to the Allied cause was greater than he could have imagined. His public opposition to his uncle and his voluntary service spoke volumes as invaluable propaganda for the Allies. The site has been offering a wide variety of high-quality, free history content since 2012. If you’d like to say ‘thank you’ and help us with site running costs, please consider donating here.

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