Blog Archives
6 June 1944: D-Day
On 6 June 1944, the largest amphibious combat assault in history took place as Allied forces landed in Normandy by air and sea. Among them were 13 chaplains who parachuted in with the airborne troops and many more who landed on the beaches. Here are four videos that talk more about some of these chaplains who were with the troops on D-Day:
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This 7-minute videos tells the stories of several chaplains who jumped and landed with the D-Day troops.
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This 3 1/2 minute video tells the story of Chaplain Ignatius Maternowski who, after jumping into Normandy with his unit, became the only chaplain killed in action in D-Day, while trying to establish a joint American-German medical aid station to care for Allied and enemy wounded.
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This 4-minute video tells the story of Chaplain Francis Sampson who jumped into Normandy along with his unit, nearly losing his life in a river, then to a German firing squad, before continuing to minister to the wounded, dying and fighting.
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This 3 1/2 minute video tells the story of Chaplain Joseph Lacy who proved himself, caring for the physical and spiritual needs of his Ranger battalion as they landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day.
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Remembering the Five Chaplains of the Mallory
Just four days after The Four Chaplains were lost with the sinking of the Dorchester, five more chaplains died when a German sub sunk the Mallory, on this day in Chaplain Corps History, 7 February 1943.
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If you’d like more information on the Mallory’s last voyage, the five chaplains who perished as well as the two chaplains who survived, and other details not included in the shorter version above, this 15-minute video is for you!
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Remember the Four Chaplains
3 February 1943: On This Day in Chaplain Corps History, Chaplains Goode, Fox, Poling and Washington were on the U.S.A.T. Dorchester in the North Atlantic when a German submarine torpedoed and sent it to the bottom of a watery grave. These four chaplains exemplified nurturing the living, caring for the wounded and honoring the dead as they sacrificed their own safety and lives to minister to the needs of others as they served God and country.
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Remembering the Attack on Pearl Harbor
There were many Chaplains and Chaplain Assistants who not only did their jobs but went far above and beyond to serve during and immediately following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and surrounding bases. In this 10-minute video, I explore the stories of some of them.
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On This Day in Chaplain Corps History
On 24 June 1917, after devoting thirty years to the development of a professional Army chaplaincy, Orville J. Nave died of injuries he received when he was hit by a trolley. His amazing career began in the Civil War and continued until this day in Chaplain Corps history, 24 June 1917.
His story is too long to tell in a short video but here are some of the highlights of his influential career:
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Why Do I Want to be an Army Chaplain?
When a minister applies to be a chaplain in the Army, they are asked to submit a statement about why they want to be a chaplain. Going through my old files, I came across the statement that I wrote nearly 20 years ago as I was applying to become an Army chaplain. For me, it still holds true today, perhaps even more so.
In the face of the challenges in our nation today, the Army soldier is asked to do his or her duty to defend the Constitution of the United States with honor, integrity and selfless service while facing dangers on every side. Our young men and women in uniform give up the security of their familiar worshipping community to follow the call of their country to defend freedom.
These soldiers not only need the training that the Army gives them but also a presence that will give them moral and spiritual support as they face the potential risks of military service. While their spiritual leaders back home can give them some support, the Army Chaplain is uniquely qualified and equipped to be there for the soldiers when needed the most.
I feel called of God to represent Him and my Church as part of the Chaplain Corps. I believe that my experiences and education along with the additional training that the Army provides will combine to make me an effective Chaplain, working alongside those of other faith groups to serve our soldiers as they serve their country.
I want to be able to help those who have given up so much to be in uniform, to be a Chaplain who is ‘courageous in spirit and compassionate in service,’ continuing in the great tradition of the Chaplains who have gone before me, serving both God and country as a United States Army Chaplain.
Daryl W. Densford
24 January 2003
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The Chaplain Corps’ Birthday
In 2001, Chaplain (MG) Gaylord T. Gunhus, then Army Chief of Chaplains, wrote this letter to chaplains and chaplain assistants, about the Chaplain Corps’ birthday on 29 July:
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The Chaplain Corps’ Birthday
by Chaplain (MG) G.T. Gunhus, Chief of Chaplains
“We have come a long way since the Continental Congress officially established in 1775 the position of chaplain in the Continental Army. The stipend of $33 per month was established for the chaplains, an amount equal to the pay of a captain.
“During the Revolutionary War the Chaplaincy was a representation of the nation’s religious denominations: 90 Congregationalists, 41 Presbyterians, 20 Anglicans, 11 Baptists, two Lutherans and one Roman Catholic. Since that time, we have ministered to the soldiers and family members of the U.S. Army in war and peace. Our numbers have varied fro a very few in the 1800’s to a high of 8,117 chaplains in World War II.
“It wasn’t until 1914 that chaplains wore the official uniform of an Army officer. The original insignia, a shepherd’s crook, signified the pastoral role of the chaplain. The chaplain’s crook was replaced by a Latin Cross on May 31, 1898. It was authorized for use by all Protestant and Catholic Chaplains. During World War 1, when a large number of Jewish rabbis served in the Army, the Tablets of the Law, with the Star of David, was authorized for them. Those two insignia and the crescent surmounted with a star, the insignia for the Muslim chaplain, are the insignia which identify all of us today.
“Since the beginning of World War II, chaplains have been required to minister in combat unarmed. The signing of the Geneva Convention entitled chaplains to a noncombatant role and protected person status. However, of the 33 chaplains interned by the Japanese in the Philippines, 18 died and many of the survivors were beaten for attempting to invoke the Geneva Convention in an effort to minister to their soldiers. Also, during World War II, 124 chaplains were killed in action, in Korea 13 lost their lives, and 13 were killed in Vietnam.
“Connected to the heritage of the Army Chaplaincy is its history of creative ministry and appropriate pastoral care. The Army is a better institution in which to serve because the Unit Ministry Teams (UMTs) have continually delivered the message of hope and made practical applications to that message. The UMTs’ loan closets and the chaplains’ multifaceted counseling have become institutionalized in what is now known as Army Community Services. When commanders were troubled by problems of racism, rights of individuals, and drug and alcohol abuse, chaplains responded with programs that are now known as Equal Opportunity, Total Army Quality, and the Army Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Program. Today our Chaplain Family Life Centers set the pace for the Army Family Support Activities.
“The Army Chaplaincy is facing new challenges: reduced force, numerous deployments, reduced resources and the impact of those factors on the quality of life for the soldier and family members. As we celebrate the 226th Anniversary of the Army Chaplaincy, may we renew our call to the service of the Lord. May our pastoral care and ministry renew the spirit and soul of our soldiers and family members. May we bring hope and strength to all of those we serve. This is my prayer for you, for all the Army Chaplaincy and the people we serve.
“GOD BLESS YOU AND HAVE A GREAT DAY!”
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From a letter to Lutheran chaplains from Chaplain Stake dated 19 August 2001, from the personal chaplain papers of Chaplain Paul Howe (TCK Archives).
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Happy 243rd Anniversary!
The Army Chaplain Corps celebrates its 243rd anniversary on 29 July 2018. Here’s a short video celebrating where they have gone and what they have done:
Happy Anniversary to the United States Army Chaplain Corps!
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Soldiers of God
The U.S. Army Chaplain Corps March was first performed by Bing Crosby on Easter in 1944. While many may be familiar with the chorus, there are also verses to the song you may not know. Enjoy Bing singing Soldiers of God with prints from the Chaplain Corps series’ History of the Chaplaincy and Chaplain Activities.
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The Chaplain Kit 