Letter from Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson to the Secretary of State Regarding John G. Winant, Jr.
11/13/1943
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In this letter from Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson reports that Lieutenant John Winant, the son of Ambassador John G. Winant is en route to a German prison camp, Stalag Luft 3. It had previously been reported that Winant was missing in action.
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News that the son of the U.S. Ambassador to Great Britain was missing in action during World War II made headlines worldwide. So receiving a letter signed by Secretary of War Henry Stimson could be an occasion for celebration or mourning. In this case it was both. Ambassador Winant learned that his son was alive but was a German prisoner of war. Lieutenant Winant was held by the Nazis as one of the Prominente—prisoners related to Allied political figures. They were intended to be used as bargaining chips in the final days of the war, but instead, most were released just as the war in Europe was ending.
This primary source comes from the General Records of the Department of State.
National Archives Identifier: 7860683
Full Citation: Letter from Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson to the Secretary of State Regarding John G. Winant, Jr.; 11/13/1943; General Records of the Department of State, Record Group 59. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/letter-from-secretary-of-war-henry-l-stimson-to-the-secretary-of-state-regarding-john-g-winant-jr, April 29, 2025]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.
