Chaplain Porter H. “Brooks was born in Chicago, IL on July 5, 1926 and was raised in Kansas and Texas. He was a graduate of McMurry University in Abilene, TX and Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, VA. He also graduated from the Army Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, TX.

“He served in the Army in WWII. After being commissioned a second lieutenant at Fort Benning, GA, he served with the 86th Infantry in the Philippines. He returned to the Army during the Korean War and retired after 35 years of service in 1981. During the 80s he was interim rector of Saint Mary”s, Arlington, Trinity, Arlington, Saint Alban”s, Annandale, and was assistant at St. John”s, McLean, VA.

“Among his military honors were 3 awards of the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, Joint Services Commendation, Army Commendation with one oak leaf cluster, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.

“He was at various times Post Chaplain at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, Deputy Staff Chaplain of the Army headquarters in Vietnam, and Post Chaplain at Fort Myer. He wrote articles on the chaplaincy including a brief history of chaplains at Fort Myer, “Cross, Crook, and Candle”.

Chaplain Brooks’ tombstone on Chaplain’s Hill at Arlington National Cemetery (photo by author).

“The Reverend Porter H. Brooks, a retired Army chaplain and Episcopal clergyman died June 13, 2016 of complications of Alzheimer”s at Sunrise of Reston, VA.

“His wife, Norma, and his brother, Perry, predeceased him. Survivors include a son, Roland (Ann) of New York; two daughters, Beverly Fife (Dave) of Ashburn, VA and Gloria Gundrum (Bill) of Reston; a sister, Lucy Honig of Nebraska, two grandsons, Brian and Steven Fife; and four great-grandchildren.

“A service [was] held … at the Old Post Chapel Fort Myer followed by interment with Full Military Honors at Arlington National Cemetery” with Chaplain (Captain) Joe Mason presiding. (Published in The Washington Post on June 19, 2016)

A memo signed by Chaplain Brooks introducing his book, “Cross, Crook and Candle” (author’s collection).

.

.