“Before World War I, each chaplain was issued a flag on which was a Latin cross. Jewish chaplains eventually received flags with Tablets of the Law. In 1923, a field desk, folding organ and chests filled with 300 books of religious and patriotic songs were available.”

(Tools of the Trade, signage at the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps Museum, Ft. Jackson, SC)

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Portable Record Player

Portable record players were often carried by chaplains for services away from chapels. Above is a WW2-era record player. Notice the crank on the left for winding up the record player to provide power and the chrome lid on the right front corner that holds extra needles (author’s collection).

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Folding Organ

The folding organ was a heavy, bulky item for the chaplain to travel with but if provided with a Jeep and trailer, there was room for it along with his other equipment. Below is a folding organ that was used during WW2 and accompanied the chaplain to war, evidenced by the “TAT” markings, which stand for “To Accompany Troops.”

This particular organ continued to be used by its chaplain following the war as he traveled as an evangelist in the Missouri area. His wife must have attempted to beautify it a bit with the floral contact paper on the back!

Unusual for a folding organ this old, the billows still hold air, filled by pumping the pedals, and most of the keys still play.