Character Relationship Map: Between Heaven and Hell

Characters

• Sfc. Pvt. Sam Francis Gifford (played by Robert Wagner) — protagonist

  Protagonist. A wealthy cotton farmer demoted from Sergeant to Private for striking an officer. Struggles with battle fatigue but demonstrates leadership and courage. Undergoes significant personal gro...

• Jenny Gifford (played by Terry Moore) — protagonist

  Gifford's wife and daughter of Colonel Cousins. Appears primarily in flashbacks regarding his civilian life and pre-war motivations.

• Capt. 'Waco' Grimes, CO Co.G (played by Broderick Crawford) — supporting

  Dictatorial company commander who adopts the alias "Waco" to avoid sniper fire. Runs the punishment company with strict discipline but eventually recognizes and respects Gifford's capabilities.

• Pvt. Willie Crawford (played by Buddy Ebsen) — supporting

  Former sharecropper and Gifford's closest ally in the company. Forms a deep bond with Gifford over their shared background. Wounded in the leg, he forces Gifford to retreat to warn headquarters of an...

• Col. Cousins (played by Robert Keith) — supporting

  Wealthy plantation owner, Jenny's father, and Gifford's National Guard commander. Killed by a Japanese sniper, an event that serves as a major psychological turning point for Gifford.

• Lt. Ray Mosby (played by Tod Andrews) — minor
• Lt. Joe 'Little Joe' Johnson (played by Brad Dexter) — supporting

  Lieutenant commanding the outpost where Gifford and Crawford are stationed. His death during a Japanese mortar attack leaves the two as the sole survivors.

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Lt. Ray Mosby → Col. Cousins (Professional Subordinate) — Mosby serves under Colonel Cousins in the National Guard reserve unit.
• Capt. 'Waco' Grimes, CO Co.G → Lt. Joe 'Little Joe' Johnson (Power Superior Officer) — Johnson reports to Captain Grimes within the company's chain of command.
• Sfc. Pvt. Sam Francis Gifford → Lt. Joe 'Little Joe' Johnson (Professional Subordinate) — Lieutenant Johnson serves as Gifford's direct superior at the forward outpost.
• Sfc. Pvt. Sam Francis Gifford → Capt. 'Waco' Grimes, CO Co.G (Professional Commander) — Captain Grimes commands the punishment company that Gifford is assigned to.
• Sfc. Pvt. Sam Francis Gifford → Col. Cousins (Family Father-in-law) — Colonel Cousins is Gifford's father-in-law and former reserve unit commander.
• Sfc. Pvt. Sam Francis Gifford → Jenny Gifford (Family Husband) — Gifford is married to Jenny, bridging his civilian wealth with military life.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Pvt. Willie Crawford → Lt. Joe 'Little Joe' Johnson (Social Fellow Soldier) — Crawford and Johnson share the frontline experience at the isolated outpost.
• Sfc. Pvt. Sam Francis Gifford → Pvt. Willie Crawford (Alliance Comrade) — Crawford and Gifford become loyal comrades bound by shared background and survival.
• Sfc. Pvt. Sam Francis Gifford → Lt. Ray Mosby (Conflict Arch Enemy) — Mosby's cowardice and betrayal make him Gifford's primary antagonist in the flashback.

Story Analysis

A prejudiced soldier is transformed by combat, loss, and loyalty into a leader willing to risk himself for a wounded comrade.

Plot Progression

1. A Soldier Recast — Gifford is demoted and placed in Waco's punishment company. Flashbacks establish his privileged civilian life, marriage, class prejudice, and growing connection with former sharecroppers.
2. The Cost Of Command — Gifford earns recognition as a battlefield leader but suffers fear and battle fatigue. Cousins's death and Mosby's panic-driven attack force Gifford into violent confrontation.
3. Proof Under Fire — Waco sends Gifford's patrol toward San Carlos. The patrol finds the town abandoned, returns with the church name plate, and faces a mortar barrage.
4. Comrades At The Outpost — At the outpost, Gifford forms a deeper friendship with Crawford and admits his past prejudice. Radio failure sends him back toward headquarters as Waco loses command and dies.
5. The Journey Back — Little Joe is killed, leaving Gifford and wounded Crawford isolated. Gifford crosses Japanese lines, warns the company, and returns in time to see Crawford rescued.