Adolf Hitler's Nephew Joins The US Navy, March 1944

Via: imgur

Born in Liverpool, 1911, William Patrick Hitler was the son of Alois Hitler Jr, the half-brother of Adolf Hitler. Alois left his wife & son in 1914, leaving William to grow up in England. William returned to Germany in 1933, hoping to gain a high-level position of employment due to his uncle's power.

After being offered only minor jobs (banking, car sales) William made threats to expose secrets about his family, including publicizing the (alleged) fact that Hitler's grandfather was a Jewish merchant. Eventually Hitler responded by offering William a high ranking position if he would renounce his British citizenship. Perhaps fearing a trap, William fled back to Britain where he continued to blackmail and denounce his uncle, writing such magazine articles as "Why I Hate My Uncle".

Eventually William and his mother Bridget Dowling found themselves in America on a public speaking lecture, at the request of William Randolph Hearst. During this time of public condemnation of both his uncle and the Third Reich, war erupted. As he had been previously denied enlistment in Britain, William petitioned and begged President Roosevelt to fight against the Germans. He was cleared to join in 1944, serving as a Pharmacist's Mate, getting wounded and earning a Purple Heart. 1946 saw him become a naturalized citizen, and the following year he was discharged from the Navy.  

After earning US citizenship, William Patrick Hitler changed his name to William Stuart-Houston, settled down in Long Island, NY and ran his medical business. He died in Patchogue NY, 1987.
American hero, or resentful opportunist?