Josef Stalin (1879–1953) Soviet premier (1941–53); general secretary of the Communist party of the U.S.S.R. (1922–53). Here, the boys refer to Stalin in his role as leader of the Soviet Union during World War II.
Kraut (slang) a German or person of German ancestry; a derogatory term.
Lazarus the brother of Mary and Martha, raised from the dead by Jesus. Here, Finny awakening on the beach reminds Gene of Lazarus miraculously coming to life again.
Leper a person having leprosy; a person to be shunned or ostracized, as because of the danger of moral contamination. Here, it is a nickname for the quiet, aloof Elwin Lepellier.
LST the initials stand for "land ship tank"; a vessel designed to land large numbers of troops on a beach quickly.
