Jay de l’Eau Character Analysis in With the Old Breed

Although Sledge calls Jay one of his closest friends in the war, this fellow infantryman is only mentioned by name a few times during Sledge’s narrative. Despite being a Gloucester veteran, Jay proves extremely clumsy and irresponsible during the first days of fighting on Peleliu, when he leaves his foxhole at night without giving Sledge the password—thus risking being shot by his own friend. Apart from this episode, Jay is described as good-natured and friendly.

Jay de l’Eau Character Timeline in With the Old Breed

The timeline below shows where the character Jay de l’Eau appears in With the Old Breed. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

The man then appears—it’s Jay de l’Eau, one of Sledge’s best friends and a Gloucester veteran, who has come to... (full context)

...met with the Marines’ alertness and discipline. Sledge recalls an episode in which his friend Jay stepped on a hiding Japanese soldier while going to relieve himself during the night. When... (full context)