The Purple Heart

Captain Harvey Ross leads the eight aircrew with disciplined resolve, serving as the group’s moral anchor. He refuses to reveal the air carrier’s location and strives to keep his men united under torture and pressure. His leadership becomes the backbone of the crew’s resistance.

Greenbaum is a civilian attorney who argues that the trial is illegal because the men are in military service. He advocates for due process and coordinates a defense under duress. His legal mind provides a counterweight to the interrogations.

Canelli, an artist, endures torture and injury while offering a humanizing perspective on the events through his observations. His artistic sensibility helps him process the trauma and hold onto his identity.

Vincent endures catatonia as a result of torture, illustrating the dehumanizing effects of captivity. His silence becomes a haunting reminder of what is endured and what remains unsaid.

Clinton returns from captivity with ruptured vocal cords, rendering him unable to speak. His condition dramatizes the physical costs of torture and the challenges of communication under duress.

Bayforth returns from torture with disabled hands and arms, symbolizing the lasting impact of the abuse and the fragility of a soldier’s body under interrogation.

General Mitsubi is a sadistic commander who embodies the brutality of occupation. His cruelty culminates in a self-inflicted death after facing the airmen’s unyielding resolve.

Kappel is the Swiss Consul whose attempts to contact Washington highlight diplomatic channels and the hope of higher oversight amid the trial.

Johanna Hartwig is a Berlin News Correspondent observing the trial, underscoring the role of journalism in shaping international perception of the events.