WWII Soldier's Love Letters to Sweetheart Reveal Wartime Romance

Intimate correspondence between William Raymond Whittaker and Jane Dean sheds light on their courtship and marriage during World War II.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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A trove of over 200 love letters between William Raymond Whittaker and Jane Dean, a couple who met at Meharry Medical College in Nashville and married during World War II, is now on display digitally through the Nashville Public Library. The letters offer an intimate look at their courtship, separation due to Whittaker's military service, and ultimate marriage in 1942 despite the uncertainties of war.

Why it matters

The letters provide a rare, personal glimpse into the lives of ordinary people navigating love and relationships during the tumultuous World War II era. They shed light on the challenges faced by interracial couples and soldiers stationed far from home, as well as the resilience and determination required to maintain connections amidst the upheaval of war.

The details

Whittaker, from New Rochelle, New York, met Jane Dean while attending Meharry Medical College in Nashville. After losing touch when he left the city, Whittaker reconnected with Dean in 1942 after being drafted into the Army and stationed at Fort Huachuca in Arizona. Their correspondence chronicles their rekindled romance, Whittaker's proposal, and their eventual marriage in Birmingham in November 1942, despite having to remain apart due to his military duties.

  • In the summer of 1942, Whittaker was drafted into the Army.
  • On July 30, 1942, Jane Dean replied to Whittaker's first letter since they lost touch.
  • In an undated letter from September 1942, Whittaker told Dean he had something important to tell her, hinting that he might propose.
  • On September 23, 1942, Dean expressed skepticism about Whittaker's proposal plans.
  • On November 7, 1942, Whittaker and Dean were married in Birmingham.

The players

William Raymond Whittaker

A soldier from New Rochelle, New York who attended Meharry Medical College in Nashville, where he met and dated Jane Dean.

Jane Dean

A student at Meharry Medical College in Nashville who dated and later married William Raymond Whittaker.

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What they’re saying

“It sure was a pleasant and sad surprise to hear from you. Pleasant because you will always hold a place in my heart and it's nice to know you think of me once in a while. Sad because you are in the armed forces — maybe I shouldn't say that but war is so uncertain, however I'm proud to know that you are doing your bit for your country.”

— Jane Dean

“I have something very important to tell you when I do see you and you will be surprise to know as to what it is. I might even ask you to marry me. One never knows.”

— William Raymond Whittaker

“What makes you think you still love me? Is it that you are lonesome and a long way from home. I'm sure I want you to love me but not under those conditions.”

— Jane Dean

“Events are changing so rapidly these days that one can't really plan for the future. But I am going to make a decisive decision in matters of most importances.”

— William Raymond Whittaker

“It's a wonderful thing to have such and sweet and lovely husband. Darling you'll never know how much I love you. The only regret is that we didn't marry years ago… As it is now things are so uncertain and we are not together but such a few happy hours. But maybe this old war will soon be over and we can be together for always.”

— Jane Dean

What’s next

The Nashville Public Library plans to continue digitally displaying highlights from the collection of over 200 love letters between William Raymond Whittaker and Jane Dean to offer the public an intimate look at their wartime romance.

The takeaway

The Whittaker-Dean correspondence provides a poignant, first-hand account of the personal challenges and triumphs experienced by ordinary couples during the upheaval of World War II, underscoring the resilience of the human spirit in the face of uncertainty and separation.