During World War II, it might surprise many to learn that Adolf Hitler had a nephew who actively fought against the Nazis. His name was William Patrick Hitler, born in Liverpool, England, in 1911.
William Patrick was the son of Alois Hitler Jr., Adolf Hitler’s half-brother. Despite being related to one of history’s most infamous dictators, William Patrick had a very different path in life. In the 1930s, he even moved to Germany, hoping to take advantage of his family name, but soon became disillusioned by the Nazi regime.
By 1939, William Patrick returned to Britain and later moved to the United States, where he settled in New York. When America entered World War II, he volunteered for the U.S. Navy, joining the fight against the Axis powers — and ultimately, against the regime led by his own uncle.
He served in the Navy as a specialist in intelligence and security, making his service deeply symbolic. The irony was not lost on him — fighting for the U.S. against the very family he was born into. After the war, he became an American citizen, lived a quiet life, and had a family.
William Patrick Hitler’s story is a remarkable example of personal courage and moral choice, showing that even in the shadow of a tyrant, individuals can choose to stand for what is right.
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