Category Archives: Chaplaincy
War, Just War & Moral Injury
Here is a brief video culminating in a short discussion on Moral Injury.
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History of Non-Christian Chaplains
It has not been until relatively recent history in our military that faith groups other than Judeo-Christian have been officially recognized. Up until 1862, a chaplain was required to be endorsed by a “Christian” denomination excluding any chaplains in other faith groups from being officially recognized by the government.
Continue reading the History of Non-Christian Chaplains here…
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Chaplain’s Etiquette-The Matter of Time*
The chaplain’s reputation is often based on his or her timeliness as on any other characteristic. This was no less true in 1965 when the following article appeared in a Navy chaplains’ newsletter:
“Punctuality is expected of all officers, but is especially appropriate for chaplains. ‘It is said that promptness and responsibility go hand in hand. Therefore a habitual lack of punctuality must be considered irresponsibility.’
“Divine services should start precisely at the time announced. Appointments, especially with senior officers and those in command, should be punctiliously met. Official calls should be made at the time scheduled in advance and be kept within customary time limits.
“If the chaplain is a junior officer at an official or social function, he should not leave until after the guest of honor or the high ranking guest departs. At any party, the chaplain should not be the last guest to leave. When invited to share a boat or car with the commanding officer or a senior officer, the chaplain should be waiting when the host officer arrives.”
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*From the Fleet Chaplain’s Newsletter, U.S. Pacific Fleet, 1 April 1965, page 25, where it was reprinted from 1 June 1961 issue (author’s collection).
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A Philosophy of Life for a Time Like This (a Chaplain Message from 1942)
“Many attitudes toward life indicate a lack of moral and perhaps even mental virility. They represent indifference toward the principles of living, rather than any clear cut attitude toward life.
“It is easy to be a hedonist and follow the principle that sensory pleasure is the chief good in life and that moral duty is fulfilled in gratifying our appetites, and then go out for fun and a good time.
“It is easy to be a skeptic and carry our incredulous attitude to an excessive degree to every aspect of life.
“It is easy to be a cynic and sneer at rectitude and the conduct of life by moral principles. Cynic and cynical come from a Greek derivation meaning, ‘dog-like;’ a particular kind of dog – one which is surly and snarls at every thing and every one.
“It is easy to be a fatalist and assume that whatever is to be will be, and there is no need of trying to make the results otherwise; no need to struggle against undesirable situations and outcomes.
“It is easy to be an opportunist and seek only immediate advantages with little or no regard for principles of ultimate consequences and, like Esau of old, sell our birthright for a mess of pottage.
“But any adequate adjustment toward life must be positive, and we must appraise life in terms of remote good rather than immediate benefits.
“There is one fundamental principle upon which we can build, which is as staunch as steel, as everlasting as truth, and as necessary to a sound philosophy as air is to life itself. That principle is faith. We need faith in ourselves, faith in our fellows, faith in human nature, faith in religion, faith in the Church, faith in God, and particularly faith in a democratic society such as we have been trying to build on this side of the Atlantic. We need faith in plain old fashioned character. No form of Government will work well without men of character in control. All staunch character needs the undergirding of faith in God and the principles of religion.” -Thomas M. Carter, Lieutenant Colonel, District Chaplain (2nd District, Army Air Forces Technical Training Command)
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The above message was written by Army Air Corps Chaplain (LTC) Thomas Carter. Written above the message of this copy, which apparently was sent home to family, was written: “Every time it is time to get paid we get something like this from the chaplain. I guess he thinks we should be thankful we are getting paid. Maybe.” Below is the original:
Chaplains Message written and distributed by Chaplain (LTC) Thomas M. Carter, 2nd District Army Air Forces Technical Training Command Chaplain, Spring 1942 (author’s collection).
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Chaplain Death Toll Is 24; 3400 Serving Overseas
31 July 1944: Twenty-four Army chaplains have been killed to date, the War Department announced yesterday and 33 have been taken prisoner. Some 3,400 chaplains are now serving overseas.
Meanwhile SHAEF announced the names of 13 chaplains who jumped with the paratroopers in Normandy on D-Day from four to six hours before the first seaborne unit landed. They were:
Capts Raymond S. Hall, Episcopalian, the first jumping in the U.S. Army, who was injured; George B. Wood, Episcopalian; Matthew J. Connelly, Catholic; Robert H. Hennon, Baptist; John J. Verret, Catholic; James L. Elder, Baptist; Ignatius P. Maternowski, Catholic; killed in action; Kenneth M. Engle, Methodist; Francis L. Sampson, Catholic; Joseph Andrejewski, Catholic; Tilden S. McGee, Baptist; John S. Maloney, Catholic, awarded the DSC; and William Reid, Methodist.
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“The Stars and Stripes,” Vol. 4, No. 231, July 31, 1944, pg. 5.
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Original, from The Stars and Stripes, 31 July 1944 (TCK Archives)
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Christmas at the Front
Just like Thanksgiving, few Christmases roll around without the United States having hundreds or thousands of Service Members deployed to various parts of the world fighting for and defending freedom. It seldom fails that wherever our armed forces find themselves, they find ways to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Here are some examples of Christmas celebrations at the front…and a few from the “Homefront.”
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George Washington visits the troops encamped at Valley Forge over Christmas, 1777
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Christmas dinner of enlisted men at Valdahon, France, 1917
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Christmas decorations in the Y.M.C.A. at Valdahon, France, 1917
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Officers of Headquarters 79th Division, who served cocoa, sandwiches, cake, orange, nuts, grapes, cigars, and cigarettes to enlisted men of Headquarters at Y.M.C.A. Christmas night. Dugny, Meuse, France. Dec. 25, 1918
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All Pennsylvania soldiers in Co. B of the 10th Regiment in Camp Lee’s Quartermaster Replacement Center gather to sing carols around the tree to show how men of the Keystone State demonstrate Christmas spirit. Camp Lee, Virginia. December 1941.
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“Continuous night bombing schedule of the intensive bombardier training program allows no time out for Christmas Eve worship. Lt. Eugene F. McCahey, flying chaplain of San Angelo Army Air Field, bring the Christmas message to the bomber flight line on Dec. 24, 1942. Pausing after the cadets receive his blessing before continuing their practice blasting of the 18,000 acres of this bombardier school’s night target bombing ranges in San Angelo, Texas. Chaplain McCahey is himself a pilot.” (AP Photo).
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A Sherman tank with a Christmas greeting painted on its hull, Benghazi, 26 December 1942.
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U.S. Soldiers Caroleers Circle Globe. The Christmas spirit is universal, the traditions unchanging even in the midst of war. Where ever our American troops are to be found throughout the world Christmas Carols will be heard in joyful hymns on the eve of the Nativity of Christ. In India – “Come and Behold Him, Born the King of Angels”. 1942
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Chaplain Lt. Col. William King leads troops of the 45th in Christmas Day services in Italy, 25 December 1943
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“Christmas Day services near the front, in Italy. Lt. Col. William E. King, of Kansas City, Mo., Chaplain of the 45th Division, speaks to men assembled near their Bivouac Area. Notice the Young dog by the Altar.” Venafro area, Italy. 25 December 1943.
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“1st LT Harvey Floyd Bell, Chaplain of 1st Bn., 180th Inf. Regt., says grace before Christmas dinner is served.” Demanio area, Italy. 25 December 1943
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“During prayer, the flag is lowered at outdoor Christmas Day services conducted by LT Aloysis S. Carney, Jersey City, New Jersey, at Headquarters of 120th Medical Clearing Co.” Venafro area, Italy. 25 December 1943
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Somewhere in the Pacific, Depot Chapel decorated for Christmas, 1944
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Somewhere in the Pacific, Christmas worship service in the Depot Chapel, 1944
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Soldiers of the 463rd Combat Engineers in France near the German border pause to observe Christmas the best way they could 25 December 1944. Note K-ration cans as ornaments and three stacked M1 Garand rifles
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General Patton’s Christmas greeting to his troops, Christmas 1944. On the reverse side was the prayer for good weather written by his chaplain
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An American MP stands stands guard in front of a 65 ft. tree at the top of Radicosa Pass; 2500 ft. in the Appennine Mountains. Italy, December 18, 1944
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US Army soldiers stationed in the small Luxembourg town of Wiltz, gave the townfolk, and especially the children, a St. Nicholas Day celebration in Dec 1944
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Christmas greetins from Chaplain William J. Mahoney, 121st Medical BN, South Pacific, 1944
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Bundles from America for soldiers in the field with Field Artillery Unit in Germany. Holding Christmas packages are, left to right: Pfc. W.J. Kessler; Pfc. J.L. Proffitt; Pvt. B. Narter; Cpl. T.J. Barnewski; and Pfc. J. Stoll. 11/26/44
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CHRISTMAS SERVICE – Personnel of the 303rd Bomb Group receive the Sacrament Of Holy Communion at an airbase somewhere in England. 26 December 1944
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Manger scene in Yokota, Japan, 1951
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Korean KP decorates Christmas tree set up in front of serving counter of HQs & HQs Co, 19th Inf Regt, 24th US Inf Div, as Christmas Day dinner is readied for men of the Co. Korea. 25 December 1951
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Men of Co “B”, 4th Signal Bn, X US Corps, prepare to decorate the Christmas tree at Bn HQ. Korea. 11 December 1951
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Men of Co “F”, 9th Inf Regt, 2nd U.S. Inf Div, enjoy their Christmas Day dinner at CO HQS, Korea. 25 December 1951
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Soldiers in Germany prepare to deliver gifts to local children, 1953
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Navy Chaplain Capodanno with a manager scene in Vietnam, 1966
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1967-12-25 – C Co, 4th Bn, 9th Inf, 25th Inf Division, Manchus, Young and Christmas tree at Katum chow line Cambodian border. 1967 Katum, Late Dec — Young is holding our Christmas dinners, as I took the picture of him with the tree. Young was killed in the March 2, 1968 at the Hoc Mon bridge ambush
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Soldier eats Christmas dinner by a simple Christmas Tree. Vietnam, ca 1967
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The troops get a visit from Santa Claus. Vietnam ca 1968
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U.S. soldiers set up a Christmas tree in a spare mortar pit at the Duc Lap Special Forces camp. 1969. (Bettmann/CORBIS)
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Christmas in Vietnam, ca 1970
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Soldiers gather around a small Christmas tree for a picture. Vietnam, ca 1972
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Army Spc. Freddy Barahona, left, and Army Spc. Michael Hanes enjoy their Christmas at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, 2004 (photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Kristin Fitzsimmons, USN)
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Army Sgt. Maj. Della St. Louis, operations sergeant major for Headquarters Company, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, takes her real Christmas tree on a tour of Camp Taji, Iraq, to have soldiers of the camp help decorate it, 2004 (Cpl. Benjamin Cossel, USA)
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Santa visits the troops, ca 2005
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U.S. Navy Lt. Jennifer Bowder, a chaplain with Marine Wing Support Squadron 273, conducts a Christmas service for U.S. Marines and Soldiers at Combat Post Heider in Rabiah, Iraq, Dec. 29, 2008. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jason W. Fudge/Released)
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Santa gets a lift from a Blackhawk helicopter to visit the troops, ca 2010
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Dec 24 2010: A U.S. Airman carries a candle to light those of his colleagues during a ceremony on the eve of Christmas at the US base of Camp Phoenix in Kabul Afghanistan (AP)
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Santa visits the troops in Bagram, Afghanistan, ca 2012
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Altar prepared for Christmas Worship by Navy Chaplain Jonathon Maloney at FOB Deli, Afghanistan, 2012
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Christmas greetings sent from Camp Clark, Khost Provence, Afghanistan, 2014
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Santa visits the troops, ca 2015
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SGT Santa Claus stands in formation with his elves, ca 2015
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First Sergeant Santa Claus marches with Marines, ca 2015
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Navy Chaplain Jonathon Maloney stands by the Christmas tree in his office on the USS San Diego while at sea, Christmas 2017
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On the Homefront: Cantonement Chapel on Fort Leonard Wood decorated for Christmas during World War II
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On the Homefront: The Panzer “Santa”, with well-filled sack of radios, books, cookies, and other gifts dear to soldiers hearts, glides up to the door of the barracks in Camp Lee’s Quartermaster Corps and it isn’t hampered by lack of snow in Virginia. Camp Lee, Virginia, Quartermaster Replacement Center. December 1941
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On the Homefront: Christmas Eve service at the Main Post Chapel on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, 2015
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On the Homefront: Christmas Day Mass at the Old Post Chapel at Fort Hood, led by Father Lito Amande, 2015
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On the Homefront: Interior of St. Mary’s Chapel at Fort Riley, decorated for Christmas, 2016
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Wherever you’re reading this from, either from a deployed location or at home, or a family member missing their deployed service member, If you celebrate Christmas, I wish for you a very blessed and merry holiday season and pray for the safe return of all of our deployed and separated service members!
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Christmas at War
For as long as we’ve been a nation (and even before) American Service Members have been deployed during the holidays. Here’s a short video that shows some of the Christmas scenes from wartime deployments and the home front during war.
With this video goes out a special “Merry Christmas!” to our armed forces wherever they may be serving this Christmas.
https://animoto.com/play/LqQM1qy5o91pbB1jm0NaQg
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Better Late than Never?
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Having “faithfully and constantly preached to said soldiers, and in all respects performed all the duties pertaining to said office of chaplain” for the 13th Tennessee Cavalry Regiment from 1865 onwards, the U.S. House of Representatives added Chaplain Stephen Collis to the muster rolls of the Regiment in 1888, the officers of the Regiment having neglected to properly add him as they promised. Below is the transcript of Report No. 555 of the 50th Congress, 1st Session, 5 Dec 1887-20 Oct 1888 (author’s collection):
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February 21, 1888.-Committed to the Committee of the Whole House and ordered to be printed.
Mr. Ford, from the Committee on Military Affairs, submitted the following
Report:
(To accompany bill H.R. 478.)
The Committee on Military Affairs, to whom was referred the bill (H.R. 478) to place the name of Rev. Stephen M. Collis on the muster-roll of the Thirteenth Tennessee Cavalry as chaplain thereof, have had the same under careful consideration and submit the following report:
Said Stephen M. Collis has been for a number of years a regularly ordained minister of the Gospel and a duly authorized preacher of the Baptist Church. That on or about the 1st day of April, 1865, he was on a visit to the Thirteenth Tennessee Cavalry, at Lenoir’s Station, in the State of Tennessee, said regiment being at the time without a chaplain; that while there the officers and soldiers of said regiment by a petition strongly solicited him to remain with said regiment as its chaplain.
That upon such solicitation and a promise by the officers that he should be duly mustered as a chaplain of the regiment, he consented to remain and did remain with said regiment during the remaining period of its service, and faithfully and constantly preached to said soldiers, and in all respects performed all the duties pertaining to said office of chaplain, but his name was not placed upon the rolls of the regiment.
In consideration of the faithful service performed, and the understanding that this aged minister should be paid for his services, which has not been done, the bill is favorably reported.
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The bill (H.R. 478) was brought to the floor of the House by Mr. Johnston of North Carolina, on 24 February 1888 where it passed and Chaplain Collis was added to the muster rolls of the Thirteenth Tennessee Cavalry Regiment, 20 years after his service.
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French Chaplains at Fort Saint Frederic
Model of Fort Saint Frédéric
Long before the American Revolution, British and French colonial powers both laid claim to the Champlain Valley and the strategically important peninsula known as Crown Point. With their occupation came chaplains to meet the religious needs of the Soldiers stationed there. The page on The Chaplain Kit, “French Chaplains at Fort. St. Frederic” lists the French chaplains who served during the French occupation from 1732-1758.
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A Career of the Highest Calling
“Faith in God is the heartbeat of men and the lifeblood of nations. The United States Army believes in this doctrine…” begins an Army chaplain recruiting brochure from 1954. it continues:
The emergence of the United States as the champion of democracy and freedom under God has been built on the twin bulwarks of faith in God and high moral principle. To guard this heritage and to insure that it will never be lost, the Army has qualified chaplains as part of its armament.
This red, black and white brochure goes on to tell of the tradition of chaplaincy from the Egyptians, 16 centuries before the Christian era, through the Hebrews and Romans. It speaks of chaplains who served during the French and Indian War then “in every war in which this country has engaged.”
It goes on to describe the many opportunities for “real service” as chaplains in the United States Army and the urgent need for “many men to make great sacrifices for the cause of liberty,” sacrifices which “must be shared and supported by the churches of the Nation.”
It concludes with a few lines from the official Chaplains’ March, Soldiers of God, which was sure to inspire prospective candidates for the chaplaincy:
Soldiers of God, we serve Him faithfully
and march in his name
Through thunder and flame
Wherever the ‘call’ may be
Trusting in God, His strength we lean upon
As into the fight the Legions of Light,
The Soldiers of God, march on …
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The Chaplain Kit 