Post on 31-Mar-2016
description
world war II chaplains of the new england province of jesuits
to love and serve
Edited by Joseph P. Duffy, S.J., Boston College
dedicated to: graduates of new england jesuit higher education
and secondary school institutions who died serving their country
3 | table of contents
to love and serve
5 Acknowledgements
6–7 Introduction
chapter 1 8–9 FirstChaplain
chapter 2 10 MenforOthers11–25 ChaplainServiceRecords
chapter 326–36 TheMedalsandtheMen
26–27 CitationsandAwards
28 MedalofHonor
29 PurpleHeart
30 LegionofMerit
31–32 BronzeStarMedal
33 NavyandMarine CorpsMedal
34 AirForceCommendationMedal
35 ArmyCommendationMedal
36 BenemerentiMedal
chapter 4 37 InTheirOwnWords
38–39 FightinginFrance
40–41 TheBravestMan IEverKnew
42–43 TheAmericanSpirit
44–58 JourneytoMorocco
TableofContents
4 | table of contents
to love and serve
TableofContents(continued)
59 BattlefieldPromotion
60 Darwin’sDead
61–64 WorshipinWartime
65–68 ParableofRedemption
69 PastoralMinistry
70–73 ThePadreReports
74–79 VeteransDayRemembrance
80 Afterword
81 Appendices
82–86 NewEnglandProvince MilitaryChaplains, 1918–2014
87–89 NewEnglandProvince MilitaryChaplains, NumberByYear, 1942–2014
90 NewEnglandProvince MilitaryChaplains, PostWorldWarII
91–93 PhotoGallery
5 | acknowledgements
to love and serve
DeservingspecialappreciationisAliceHowe,CuratorofCollections,NewEng-landJesuitArchives,CollegeoftheHoly
Cross.Herediting,formattingandconstructivesuggestionswereimmenselyhelpful.ShewasalsomorethangenerouswithhertimeduringmyvisitstoHolyCrossandprovidedformyreviewandcon-siderationeverythingthatIrequestedaswellasad-ditionalmaterialsshethoughtmightbeofinterest.AndworthyofspecialmentionisBenBirnbaum,ExecutiveDirector,OfficeofMarketingCommuni-cations,forhisinterestinandhissupportofthis
projectandformakingavailabletheexpertiseofhisstaffinbringingittocompletion.
IalsowishtoacknowledgeAmerica and CompanymagazinesforgrantingpermissiontoreprintarticlesfromtheirpublicationsthatarevaluablecontributionstothisstoryofaspecialtimeinJesuitandAmericanhistory.
Finally,mydeepgratitudetomygoodfriendandcolleague,thelateDr.ThomasH.O’Connor,UniversityHistorian,BostonCollege,forhisconstantencouragement,gentleguidanceandprofessionalassistanceallalongtheway.
Acknowledgements
thisvolumewouldnothavebeenpossiblewithouttheexhaustiveresearchofgerardf.giblin,s.j.onjesuitsaschaplainsinthearmedforces. MuchofthisstoryofNewEnglandProvinceJesuitChaplainsinWorldWarIIisbuiltonthatfirmfoundation.
MoreimmediatelyIamindebtedtoDavidHorn,SpecialProjectsLibrarian,BurnsLibrary,
BostonCollegeandShelleyBarber,ReferenceandArchivesSpecialist,BurnsLibrary,fortheircooperation,especiallyinretrievingmaterials.
6 | introduction
to love and serve
Rev.JamesLaynez,S.J.,whosucceededSt.IgnatiusasGeneraloftheSocietyofJesus,wasthefirstJesuittoserveasamilitary
chaplain.In1550hewasinvitedbyJohndeVegatoaccompanyhimandhismeninawaragainstpiratesintheeasternMediterranean.AschaplainLaynezministeredtoboththephysicalandspir-itualneedsofthefightingforces.Fromthisexperi-enceheofferedadviceaboutengagingchaplainsinthemilitarytoJohndelaCerda,whohadbeenappointedViceroyofSicilyafterdeVega’sdeath.
“IbelievethatourLordwillbeverywellservedandYourExcellencymuchconsoledifyousendsomegoodreligiousalongonthisexpedition,menwhowillbetrueservantsofGodandwhowillseekthesalvationofsouls.Byprayerandgoodexample,bypreachingandhearingconfessions,bynurs-ingthesickandhelpingthedying,thesemenwilldoatremendousamountofgood.Theywillteachthesoldiersthepropermotivesforfighting,keepthemfromquarrelingamongthemselves,andwillcallthemtotaskforblasphemiesandgambling.Finally,Iknowthatthesoldiersofournationwill
reallyprofitfromthis,forbytheirpeaceofmindandconfidenceinGodtheywillbetterfulfilltheirdutiesinthewar.”
2
Despiteallthechangesoverthecenturiesinhowwarsareconducted,theroleoftheCatholicchaplainhasremainedessentiallythesameinourownnationaswellasinnationsthroughouttheworld.AndJesuitshavebeenleadersamongthosewhohaveservedtheirvariouscountrieswithhonoranddistinction.Rev.GerardF.Giblin,S.J.hasdocumentedtherecordsofJesuitsintheUnitedStateswhoservedintheArmedForcesfrom1917to1960.
3Buildingonhisdetailedreport,thisvolumefocusesonJesuitsfromtheNewEnglandProvinceduringWorldWarII.Atitspeakin1945,246AmericanJesuitswereservingatchaplains.ThesecondlargestnumberwasfromtheNewEnglandProvince(54);onlytheNewYorkProvincehadmore(59).
TheywereapartofwhatTomBrokawhascalled“TheGreatestGeneration.”Theyrespondedtoournation’sandourworld’sneedinthecompanyofandinsupportofyoungmenmostly,
Introduction
inthecontemplationontheloveofgodthatconcludesthespiritualexercisesofst.ignatius,thegracepetitionedisthatone“maybeableinallthingstoloveandserve”1thelord.thatidealofloveandserviceisattheheartofthejesuitvocationandthemotivatingforcebehindwhateverapostolicactivitiesareundertakenonbehalfof
thepeopleofgod.Thatthisextendstothemenandwomeninthearmedforcesoftheir
respectivecountriesshouldcomeasnosurprise.SuchservicehasbeenpartofJesuithistory
sinceitsearliestyears.
1 The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. (New York: Catholic Book Publishing, 1956), 115.2 Joseph H. Fichter, James Laynez, Jesuit. (St. Louis, B. Herder Book Co., 1944), 277.
7 | introduction
to love and serve
muchyoungerthanthemselves,andmanythousandsofwhomgavetheirlivesinthefightforfreedom.AlloftheseChaplainshavelongsincegonetotheireternalrewardand,likethosewhomandwithwhomtheyserved,withstoriesuntold.Throughtheirservicerecords,citationsfor“conspicuousgallantryandintrepidity,”“meritoriousachievement”and“heroicconduct,”andintheirownandin
thewordsofothers,wecatchaglimpse,notonlyoftheirowngenerousserviceandoftencourageousaccomplishments,butalsooftheirappreciationandadmirationfortheyouthofournationandforwhatoneChaplaindescribedas“TheAmericanSpirit.”
May 2014 Joseph P. Duffy, S.J.
3 Gerard F. Giblin, “Jesuits as Chaplains in the Armed Forces,” Woodstock Letters, 89, 323-482.
Introduction(continued)
8 | first chaplain
chapter 1 | to love and serve
WiththehelpofthreeRomanCatholicbishops,hewasabletosecuretheservicesofFr.JohnMcElroy,S.J.at
theageof64andFr.AnthonyRey,S.J.,whowas39yearsofage.
ThenatureoftheirappointmentwasspelledoutinalettertoFr.McElroyfromtheSecretaryofWarW.L.Marcy.“ItisproperthatIshouldapprizeyouthattheexistinglawsdonotauthorizethePresidenttoappointandcommissionchaplains,buthehasauthoritytoemploypersonstoperformsuchdutiesasappertaintochaplains.”
4MarcyhadrequestedFr.McElroyforhisviewsofwhatthosedutiesmightincludeandhewasevidentlypleasedthatMarcyexpressedtheminhislettertoGeneralZacharyTaylor,notifyinghimoftheirassignment.“…itishis(Polk’s)wishthattheybereceivedinthatcharacter(aschaplains)byyouandyourofficers,berespectedassuchandbetreatedwithkindnessandcourtesy–thattheyshouldbepermittedtohaveintercoursewiththesoldiersoftheCatholicFaith–toadministertothemreligiousinstruction,toperformdivineserviceforsuchasmaywishtoattendwheneveritcanbedonewithoutinterferingwiththeirmilitaryduties,andtohavefreeaccesstothesickorwoundedinhospitalsorelsewhere.”
5
AfteralonganddifficultjourneyFatherMcElroyarrivedinMatamoras,Mexicowhereheremainedforalittlemorethantenmonthsin1846and1847duringwhichtimehehadbeenalmostconstantlysick,sufferingfromaherniacondition.ThisbecamesopainfulthatsomesixmonthsafterhisarrivalinMatamorashewasunabletomountahorsetocarryhimaroundtothevarioushospitals.Stillitwasinthevariousarmyhospitalsthatmostofhisapostolicworkwasaccomplished.HisroutineinvolveddailyMassinacoveredshedwhichservedasasacristy,visitstothevariousbuildingsusedashospitals,othervisitstoeithertroopsmovinguptosupporttheU.S.Armyorreturningunitsawaitingdischarge.Asifthiswerenotenough,inwhatevertimehecouldspare,hebeganclassesforthechil-drenofbothmerchantsandArmypersonnelandgivinginstructionstoconvertstoCatholicism.Butapparentlybecauseofhisageandphysicalcondition,inApril1847hewasdirectedbyhisreligioussuperiortoreturntoGeorgetownassoonasconvenient.(Hisfellowchaplain,Fr.AnthonyRey,S.J.,hadbeenmurderedbyhighwayrobbersin1847duringthisconflict.)BeforehisreturnhereflectedonhisministryinMexicoandonthegoodthatcanbeaccomplishedinservingasachaplain
inamericanjesuithistoryoneofthefirsttoserveasachaplaininthemilitarywas
noneotherthantherenownedfr.johnmcelroy,s.j.,founderofbostoncollege.For
reasonspragmaticandpoliticalratherthanreligiousorspiritual,PresidentJamesPolkwas
anxioustohaveCatholicpriestsappointedaschaplainstoAmericantroopsinthewar
againstMexico.
4 John McElroy, “Chaplains for the Mexican War – 1846,” Woodstock Letters, 15, 200.5 Ibid., 201.
FirstChaplain
9 | first chaplain
chapter 1 | to love and serve
tomembersofthemilitary.“Iamnowfullycon-vinced,thoughIwasnotatthebeginningofourMission,thatourlaborsinthesevariousdepart-mentshadahappyeffectonsectariansoldiersandonthecountrygenerally.Notonlytimewasneces-saryonourparttolearnhowtotreatsuccessfullywiththesoldiers,bothofficersandprivates,butalsoitisimportantforthemtohaveanopportunityoflearningsomewhatofourreligion,fromourprac-ticeandourlabors.ThusIfoundthatthosewhowereshyinthecommencementbecamefamiliarandconfidentwithusintheend.Ithinkthatveryfewwoulddepartthislifeeitheronthebattlefieldfromtheirwounds,orinthehospitalbydisease,withoutacceptingorcallingforourministry.Itisinsuchfunctions,ourreligionbecomesintheireyes,whatitalwayswas,areligionbaseduponcharity,havingforitsdivineauthortheGodofcharity.”
6
Alocalnewspaperofferedanaffirmationoftheimpactthathispresenceaschaplainhadonthelocalcommunity.“WearequitesureweexpressthesentimentsofeverycitizenofMatamoraswhenwesayithassustainedalossinthedeparturefromourmidstofFatherMcElroy.Hewaseverreadyto
impartinstructionoradministerconsolationtotheafflicted.Hiswasnotthatcold,austerepietythatenshroudsitselfinthecloakofbigotryandfreezesintoanicebergthosewhohavebeentaughtadif-ferentmodeofworship.Heheldnoonetoaccount-abilityforadifferenceofopinion;hisheartpulsatedonlywithdevotiontohissupremeLordandMaster,andpeaceandgoodwilltothehumanfamily.”
7
Alaterhistoriancommented:“MoregoodcameofFr.McElroy’sandFr.Rey’schaplaincythanMcElroycouldknow.Thetwopriestssetanexem-plarymodelintheMexicanwarwhichtheirfellowCatholicchaplainswouldfollowinmanylatercon-flicts.TheyministeredtoCatholicandnon-Catholicalike,totheenemyaswellastheirownpeople,regardlessofpoliticalorreligiousdifferences.”
8
TheeffectsoftheirinspiringexampleareevidentinthededicatedserviceoftheNewEnglandProvinceJesuitswhohavefollowedintheirfootsteps.
HislosstothecitizensofMatamoraswastobeBoston’sgainwherehewasmissioneduponhisreturnfromMexicoandoversawthefoundingofBostonCollege,that,today,morethan150yearslaterstandsasthegreatestmonumentinhismemory.
6 John McElroy, “Chaplains for the Mexican War – 1846,” Woodstock Letters, 16, 228.7 Ibid., 229.8 Steven O’Brien, “Soldiers in Black: Father John McElroy and Father Anthony Rey in the Mexican-American War,” Papers of the Bi-National Conference on the War between Mexico and the United States, ed. Douglas A. Murphy. (Brownsville, TX: National Park Service, 1997).
10 | men for others
chapter 2 | to love and serve
Hestatedthat“ourprimeeducationalob-jectivemustbetoformmen-for-others…menwhocannotevenconceiveoflove
ofGodwhichdoesnotincludelovefortheleastofourneighbors;mencompletelyconvincedthatloveofGodwhichdoesnotissueinjusticeformenisafarce.”
9Thephrasewithitsidealofunselfishservicehasapplicationineveryareaofourlives.ThemilitaryservicerecordsofourJesuitchaplainsdocumentsuchapplicationintheirreadinessandwillingnesstoundertakeanyassignment,athomeorabroad,inwhichtheycanprovidereligiouswor-ship,supplymoralsupportandspiritualguidance,andbringtheSacramentstothesick,woundedanddyingundereventhemostdangerousanddifficult
circumstances.ForAmericansengagedinthestruggleforpeaceinourcountryandaroundtheglobeinWorldWarII,theyembodiedwhatittrulymeanstobe“menforothers.” Inanefforttoachieveuniformity,whereavail-able,thefollowinginformationhasbeenincludedintheservicerecords:n Name, dates of birth, entrance into Jesuits, ordination and date of death.n Date of commission and branch of service.n Serial number.n Date of appointment to various ranks.n Place and date of assignments.n Date of release from service.n If recalled, second tour of duty.n Awards.
anyoneinvolvedwithjesuiteducationforthepast40yearsisfamiliarwiththephrase,
“menforothers”oritsmorerecentandmoreinclusivevariations,“menandwomenforoth-
ers”or“personsforothers.”ItwasfirstusedbyFatherPedroArrupe,S.J.,28thGeneralofthe
SocietyofJesus,inanaddresstotheInternationalCongressofJesuitAlumniofEuropeat
Valencia,SpainonJuly31,1973.
world war ii chaplain service records
9 Pedro Arrupe, “Men for Others,” Justice with Faith Today, ed. Jerome Aixala. (St. Louis: Institute of Jesuit Sources, 1980), 124.
Thisinformationiscompiledfrom“JesuitsasChaplainsintheArmedForces”byGerardF.Giblin,S.J.,Woodstock Letters,89,323-482.
MenforOthers
11 | men for others
chapter 2 | to love and serve
john l. barry, s.j. Born:13Jan1911.EnteredJesuits:9Nov1928.Ordained:23Jun1940.Died:3Mar1987.Commissioned
asFirstLieutenantintheArmy:11May1945.Serialnumber:0931664.TorankofCaptain:31March1953.
Assignment:FortJackson,SC(1945to1946).Recalledtoactiveduty:Aug1951.Assignments:FortLeonard
Wood,MO(Aug1951toDec1951);CampGifu,Japan(Mar1952toMay1952);11thEvacuationHospi-
tal,Korea(May1952toSep1952);7thDivisionArtillery(Sep1952toAug1953);FortLee,VA(Sep1953
toMay1955);Berlin,Germany(May1955toFeb1958);Göppingen,Germany(Feb1958toApr1959);
Headquarters,5thUSA,Chicago(May1959to1970)Awards:BronzeStar;PurpleHeart.
john l. bonn, s.j. Born:23Oct1906.EnteredJesuits:30Jul1923.Ordained:23Jun1935.Died:17Jan1975.Commissioned
asLieutenant(j.g.)intheNavy7Apr1943.Serialnumber:307221.ToLieutenant:1Jan1945.Assign-
ments:ChaplainSchool,Williamsburg,VA(13Sep1943to7Nov1943);NavalTrainingStation,Great
Lakes,IL(19Nov1943to22Jan1944);NavalAirStation,Ottumwa,IA(27Jan1944to21Oct1944);
13thNavalDistrict(NorthwestcoastofU.S.:2Jan1945untilrelievedofduty). Revertedtoinactivestatus:
31Oct1945.RetiredfromNavalReserve1Jan1954.
bernard r. boylan, s.j. Born:5May1905.EnteredJesuits:14Aug1924.Ordained21Jun1936.Died:29Jan1978.Commissioned
asLieutenant(j.g.)intheNavy:6Mar1943.Serialnumber:262652.ToLieutenant:1Jun1944.Assign-
ments:ChaplainSchool,Williamsburg,VA(18Apr1943to6Jun1943);NavalHospital,NewRiver,NC
(18Jun1943to7Apr1944);withCommander,7thFleet,Australia(Apr1944to14Jun1945);88thNaval
ConstructionBattalion,NewGuinea(14Jun1945to8Oct1945);NavalAirBase#3964,Philippines
(8Oct1945to14Dec1945).Revertedtoinactivestatus:28Mar1946.AppointedLieutenantCommander
intheNavalReserve.ResignedfromtheNavalReserve:9Feb1951.Award:NavyandMarineCorpsMedal.
thomas a. brennan, s.j. Born:27Dec1895.EnteredJesuits:14Aug1915.Ordained:20Jun1928.Died:27Dec1967.Appointedtothe
Army:4Apr1945.Serialnumber:0931744.Assignments:ChaplainSchool,FortDevens,MA(11May
1945to22Jun1945);FortMason,SanFrancisco,CA(22Jun1945to7Jul1945);CampStoneman,CA
(7Jul1945to14Jul1945);FortOrd,CA(14Jul1945to17Apr1946).Revertedtoinactivestatus:17May
1946.RetiredasCaptainintheOfficers’ReserveCorps:1946.
12 | men for others
chapter 2 | to love and serve
laurence m. brock, s.j. Born:30May1903.EnteredJesuits:30Jul1923.Ordained:21Jun1935.Died:9Feb1989.Appointed
totheArmy:16Jan1941.Serialnumber:0403400.TorankofMajor:(182ndInfantry,Mass.N.G.)
15Nov.1947;toLieutenantColonel:12Apr1958.Assignments:182ndInfantryRegiment,26thDivision,
CampEdwards,MA(1941);182ndRegiment,26thDivision,SouthwestPacificArea(1942to1944);Fort
Devens,MA(20Jul1944);1448thSCU,CampBlanding,FL(13Nov1944);1400thSCU,Headquarters,
4thServiceCommand,Atlanta,GA(29Jul1945).Relievedofactiveduty:15May1946.Award:Legion
ofMerit.
anthony g. carroll, s.j. Born:9Aug1906.EnteredJesuits:14Aug1922.Ordained:23Jun1935.AppointedtoArmy:12Jan1940.
Serialnumber:0386674.TotherankofCaptain:24Apr1942;toMajor:12May1945.Assignments:from
1942to1945servedwithArmyAirForceUnitsinAustralia,NewGuinea,PhilippinesandJapan.Served
intheUnitedStatesandoverseaswiththe102ndCoastArtillery.Overseaswiththefollowingunits:380th
BombardmentGroup;8thFighterGroup;5thFighterCommand.Revertedtoinactivestatus:9Nov1946.
john l. clancy, s.j. Born:25Oct1903.EnteredJesuits:30Jul1922.Ordained:20Jun1934.Died:11Apr1984.Commissioned
intheArmyasFirstlieutenant:28Dec1937.Serialnumber:0361159.TorankofCaptain:20Jun1942;
toMajor:27Sep1945.Assignments:Chaplain,CivilianConservationCorps;FortEdwards,MAwith
68thCoastArtillery,26thDivisionSpecialTroops,181stInfantryRegiment;EasternDefenseCommand;
CushingGeneralHospital,Framingham,MA;PanamarimField,Natal,Brazil;servedalsowithunitsof
theAirTransportCommand.Revertedtoinactivestatus:15May1946.
jeremiah f. coleman, s.j. Born:16Jun1911.EnteredJesuits:7Sep1928.Ordained:22Jun1940.Died:7May1961.Appointedto
theArmy:6Apr1944.Serialnumber:0549368.TotherankofCaptain:4Apr1945.Assignments:
HarvardChaplainSchool(30Apr1944);Headquarters,3rdAirForce,Tampa,FL(16May1944);335AAF
BUDaleMabryField,FL(15Jun1944);354AAFBU,RapidCityAirBase,SD(9Nov1945).Revertedto
inactivestatus:14Apr1946.Recalled:15Jun1951.Assignments:CampKilmer,NJ(1951);Germany
(1952).ReturnedtoCampKilmerandrelievedofactiveduty28Oct.1952.
13 | men for others
chapter 2 | to love and serve
j. bryan connors, s.j.Born:15Mar1898.EnteredJesuits:15Aug1918.Ordained:16Jun1931.Died:24Oct1970.Appointed
totheArmy:27Sep1944.Serialnumber:0927185.TotherankofCaptain:18Sep1945.Assignments:
ChaplainSchool,FortDevens,MA(7Oct1944);KeeslerField,Biloxi,MS(1944to1946).Revertedto
inactivestatus:20May1946.
joseph p. curran, s.j. Born:5Jan1910.EnteredJesuits:30Jul1929.Ordained:22Jun1940.AppointedtotheArmy:19Apr
1944.Serialnumber:0550495.TotherankofCaptain:25Jun1945.Assignments:HarvardChaplain
School(30Apr1944);Venice,FL(12Jun1944toNov1945),Stuttgart,AR(Nov1945toDec1945);Brooks
Field,SanAntonio,TX(Dec1945toJan1946);BiggsField,ElPaso,TX(Jan1946toFeb.1946);Mitchell
Field,NY(Feb1946toApr1946).Revertedtoinactivestatus:23May1946.
john f. devlin, s.j.Born:25Nov1905.EnteredJesuits:8Sep1927.Ordained:19Jun1938.Died:19Nov1981.Appointed
totheArmy:24Apr1944.Serialnumber:0550793.TotherankofCaptain:18May1945.Assignments:
HarvardChaplainSchool(1May1944);RichmondArmyAirBase,VA;CampSpringsArmyAirBase,
Washington,DC;BradleyField,WindsorLocks,CT;WestoverArmyAirBase,Chicopee,MA;Seymour
JohnsonArmyAirBase,Goldsboro,NC;CharlestonArmyAirBase,SC;ChathamField,Savannah,GA;
MyrtleBeachArmyAirBase,SC;ShawField,Sumter,SC.Revertedtoinactivestatus:19May1946.
james j. dolan, s.j.Born:25Apr1903.EnteredJesuits:14Aug1920.Ordained:22Jun1933.Died:5Mar1952.Appointedto
theArmy:21Dec1940.Serialnumber:0402252.TotherankofCaptain:1Feb1943;ToMajor:30Jan
1946.Assignments:63rdCoastArtillery,FortBliss,TX(1941);FortLewis,WA(1941);Hawaii(10Dec1941
to30Nov1942;HarvardChaplainSchool(30Nov1942);63rdCoastArtillery,SeattleWA(Feb1943to
Feb1944);13thReplacementDepot,Hawaii(28Mar1944);751stAAA,GuamandSaipan(28Jul1944to
end1945).Revertedtoinactivestatus:30May1946.Award:BronzeStar.
14 | men for others
chapter 2 | to love and serve
michael j. doody, s.j.Born:25Mar1898.EnteredJesuits:14Aug1918.Ordained:20Jun1932.Died:10Apr1988.Commissioned
asLieutenantintheNavy:3Mar1942.Serialnumber:139093.ToLieutenantCommander:10Jul1945.
Assignments:ChaplainSchool,Norfolk,VA(6Apr1942to30May1942);NavalHospital,AieaHeights,
Hawaii(21Jun1942to10Jan1944);NavalAirStation,Glynco,Brunswick,GA(10Feb1944to23Nov
1944);U.S.S. Richmond(cruiser)(19Dec1944to27Nov1945);PersonnelSeparationCenter,GreatLakes,
IL(12Dec1945to22Apr1946).Revertedtoinactivestatus:19Jul1946.ResignedfromNavalReserve:
20Jan1954.
william j. duffy, s. j.Born:1Jan1902.EnteredJesuits:14Aug1918.Ordained:16Jun1931.Died:23Jul1998.Appointedtothe
Army:25Jan1944.Serialnumber:0544422.TotherankofCaptain:10Oct1945.Assignments:Harvard
ChaplainSchool(10Feb1944);StarkGeneralHospital,Charleston,SC;FinneyGeneralHospital,
Thomasville,GA;755thAnti-AircraftGunBattalion,Hawaii;SchofieldBarracks,Hawaii.Revertedto
inactivestatus:22Oct1946.
john j. dugan, s.j.Born:26Jun1897.EnteredJesuits:30Jul1915.Ordained:20Jun1928.Died:6Dec1964.Appointedto
Army:28Aug1936.Serialnumber:0348200.TotherankofCaptain:6Feb1941;toMajor:18Feb1945;
toLieutenantColonel(MassachusettsNationalGuard):11May1946;separatedfromtheMass.National
GuardasColonelJun1953;separatedfromtheArmyReserveasLieutenantColonel25May1954.
Assignments:ChaplainUSAR,CCC,VT(Nov1937toJun1940);FortRiley,KS(Jun1940toSep1941);
toPhilippines(Oct1941);toBilibidPrison,Manila(20Jun1942);toCabanatuan,Luzon,PrisonCamp#1
(3Jul1942);toCabu,Luzon,PrisonCamp#3(10Jul1942);toCabanatuan,Luzon,PrisonCamp#1(1Nov
1942);liberatedby6thRangerBattalion(30Jan1945);arrivedinSanFrancisco(8May1945);Chaplain,
CushingGeneralHospital,Framingham,MA(May1945).Relievedofactiveduty:25Aug1946.Recalled:
21Jun1948.Assignments:RandolphField,TX(Jun1948);OliverGeneralHospital,Augusta,GA(Sep1949);
FortCuster,MI(Feb1950):CampCrawford,Hokkaido,Japan(Oct1950);Guam(Feb1951);Manila(Feb1952);
CampStewart,Hinesville,GA(Feb1953).Relievedofactiveduty:Jun1953.Awards:BronzeStar;
ArmyCommendationRibbon.
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chapter 2 | to love and serve
thomas a. fay, s.j.Born:15Jan1892.EnteredJesuits:14Aug1911.Ordained:28Jun1925.Died:14Mar1969.Commissionedin
theUnitedStatesMerchantMarine:15Dec1942.TaughtinOfficers’SchoolsonHoffmanIsland,NY,Gallups
Island,Boston,andatAlameda,CA.ReachedrankofLieutenantCommander.Releasedfromduty:Nov1945.
thomas p. fay, s.j.Born:29Aug1905.EnteredJesuits:14Sep1931.Ordained:22Jun1940.Died:23Jun1988.Appointedto
theArmy:12Apr1944.Serialnumber:0549900.TotherankofCaptain:16May1945.Assignments:
HarvardChaplainSchool(30Apr1944);inU.S.with61stOrdnanceGroup;inU.S.andEuropewith1151
EngineerCombatGroupand3230EngineerServiceBattalion.Revertedtoinactivedutystatus:11Aug
1946.Recalled5Aug1948andservedwithAirForceunitsforoverayearduringwhichtimehewasin
GermanyforperiodoftheBerlinAirLift.Revertedtoinactiveduty:3Nov1949.Award:Benemerenti
(PapalDecoration).
bernard j. finnegan, s.j.Born:9Jan1906.EnteredJesuits:7Sep1929.Ordained:22Jun1940.Died:19Dec1979.Commissioned
asLieutenantintheNavy:18Jan1945.Serialnumber:445079.ToLieutenantCommander:1Aug1951;
toCommander:1Jul1956.Assignments:ChaplainSchool,Williamsburg,VA(26Feb1945to21Apr
1945);NavalHospital,Shoemaker,CA(Apr1945toJun1945);U.S.S. Bottineau(attacktrooptransport)
(Jun1945toDec1945).Revertedtoinactivestatus:21Mar1946.Recalled:Oct1950.Assignments:Na-
valTrainingStation,Newport,RI(Oct1950toApr1953);AssistantFleetChaplain,Commander,Service
Force,Atlantic,Norfolk,VA(Apr1953toFeb1955);NationalNavalMedicalCenter,Bethesda,MD(Feb
1955toAug1955);NavalHospital,Newport,RI(Aug1955to1957).Relievedofactiveduty:1957.
john p. foley, s.j. Born:6Jun1904.EnteredJesuits:14Aug1923.Ordained:21Jun1936.Died:21Oct1995.Commissioned
asLieutenant(j.g.)intheNavy:22Feb1942.Serialnumber:133964.ToLieutenant:1Mar1943;
toLieutenantCommander:3Oct1945.Assignments:ChaplainSchool,Norfolk,VA(20Apr1942to12
Jun1942);U.S.S. George Clymer(attacktransport)(25Jun1942to15Mar1944);NationalNavalMedical
Center,Bethesda,MD(30May1944to15Jan1945);U.S.S. Vella Gulf(escortcarrier)(27Jan1945to10
Nov1945).Revertedtoinactivestatus:14Jan1946.ResignedfromtheNavalReserve:6Apr1946.
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chapter 2 | to love and serve
frederick a. gallagher, s.j.Born:5Aug1898.EnteredJesuits:30Jul1917.Ordained:18Jun1930.Died:25May1964.Commissioned
asLieutenantintheNavy:11Mar1942.Serialnumber:136485.ToLieutenantCommander:1Mar1944;
toCommander:5Nov1945.Assignments:ChaplainSchool,Norfolk,VA(20Apr1942to12Jun1942);
MarineBarracks,ParrisIsland,SC(15Jun1942to7Oct1942);U.S.S. Tryon(armedhospitalevacuation
ship)(7Oct1942to11Mar1943);FleetMarineForce,1stMarineAmphibiousCorps(11Mar1943to
1Aug1944);NavalHospital,St.Albans,NY(11Sep1944to2May1946).Revertedtoinactivestatus:
16Jul1946.ResignedfromtheNavalReserve:20Oct1953.
james f. geary, s.j.Born:21May1905.EnteredJesuits:14Aug1925.Ordained:20Jun1937.Died:8Sep1980.Appointed
totheArmy:13Apr1944.Serialnumber:0549986.TotherankofCaptain:1Oct1945.Assignments:
HarvardChaplainSchool(30Apr1944);InfantryTrainingBattalion,CampCroft,Spartanburg,SC;
IndiantownGap,PA;CampKilmer,NJ;replacementdepots,England,Belgium,GermanyandFrance;
115thStationHospitalatPlaistowDowns,England,Metz,FranceandAugsburg,Germany.Revertedto
inactivestatus:27Jan1946.
thomas p. hennessey, s.j.Born:30Nov1908.EnteredJesuits:30Jul1926.Ordained:17Jun1939.Died:10Apr1978.Appointed
totheArmy:6Aug1943.Serialnumber:0530788.TotherankofCaptain:16Oct1944;toMajor:
1Aug1947;toLieutenantColonel:13May1956.Assignments:7thServiceCommand,FortRiley,KS(1943
to1944);ChaplainSchool(3Jan1944);toFrancewith11thRegiment,5thInfantryDivision(13Jun1944);
FortCampbell,KY(23Jul1945);WalterReedHospital,Washington,DC(1946to1947);FortRuger,
Hawaii(1947to1948).Separatedfromservicein1948.RecalledtoArmy1951.Assignments:FortMcClel-
lan,AL(1951to1953);EielsonAirBase,Fairbanks,AK(1953to1955);505thMissileBattalion,FortTilden,NY
(1955to1958);MetzandOrleans,France(1958–1960).Relievedofactiveduty:1968.Award:BronzeStar.
harry l. huss, s.j.Born:23May1903.EnteredJesuits:8Sep1926.Ordained:20Jun1937.Died:25Feb1976.Appointedto
theArmy:28Dec1942.Serialnumber:0509085.TotherankofCaptain:Jul1944;toMajor:19Sep1945.
Assignments:HarvardChaplainSchool(3Feb1943);52ndCoastArtillery,FortEustis,VA(3Mar1943),
andFortHancock,NJ(1Apr1943);181stInfantry,FortDevens,MA(Nov1943).(continued)
17 | men for others
chapter 2 | to love and serve
harry l. huss, s.j. (continued)
Assignmentsoverseas:(1944and1945):WesternBaseSection,Chester,England;ChannelBaseSection,
Lille,France;ChanorBaseSection,Brussels,Belgium.Revertedtoinactivestatus:5Jun1946.Award:
BronzeStar.
john j. kelleher, s.j.Born:18Sep1908.EnteredJesuits:14Aug1928.Ordained:22Jun1940.Died:16Dec1964.Appointedto
theArmy:19Apr1944.Serialnumber:0550493.TotherankofCaptain:21Feb1945;toMajor:12Apr
1948;toLieutenantColonel:10May1955.Assignments:HarvardChaplainSchool(30Apr1944);Camp
Atterbury,INandCrileGeneralHospital,Cleveland,OH(1944);Hawaii(1944to1945);Governors
Island,NYandFortDix,NJ(1946);FortMonmouth,NJandNewMexico(1947);FortSamHouston,TX
(1948);Okinawa(1949);CampGordon,GA(1950);U.S.Army,Europe(1951to1953);CampKilmer,NJ
(1954);CampDix,NJ(1955to1957);U.S.Forces,Caribbean(1957to1958);NikeBase,Coventry,RI(1958);
Headquarters,11thArtilleryGroup,Rehoboth,MA(1959to1960);Headquarters,11thEngineerGroup,
Schwetzingen,Germany(Apr1960to1964).RelievedofactivedutywiththerankofMajor:1964.
william j. kenealy, s.j.Born:30Jul1904.EnteredJesuits:14Aug1922.Ordained:20Jun1934.Died:2Mar1974.Commissioned
asLieutenantintheNavy:2Jan1943.Serialnumber:246575.ToLieutenantCommander:3Oct1945.
Assignments:ChaplainSchool,Norfolk,VA(22Feb1943to25Apr1943);Pre-FlightSchool,St.Mary’s
College,CA(12May1943to15Sep1943);U.S.S. California(battleship)(26Sep1943untilrelievedfrom
duty)duringwhichtimehesawserviceintheinvasionsofGuam,Saipan,Tinian,PalauIslands,Leyte
Gulf,LingayanGulf,andOkinawa;participatedintheseabattleofSurigaoStrait.Revertedtoinactive
status:6Feb1946.RetiredfromtheNavalReserve:1Nov1953.
walter e. kennedy, s.j.Born:20Nov1910.EnteredJesuits:14Aug1928.Ordained:22Jun1940.Died:5Dec.1966.Appointedto
theArmy:27Apr1944.Serialnumber:0551228.TotherankofCaptain:Feb1945.Assignments:Harvard
ChaplainSchool(1May1944);FortLeonardWood,MO,asChaplainforEngineers;CampBarkeley,TX;
189thGeneralHospital,Lison,France;189thGeneralHospitaland333rdEngineers,Mourmelon-le-Grand,
France;AssistantChaplain,BaseSection,Rheims,France;BaseSectionChaplain,BadNauheim
Germany,ContinentalBase.RevertedtoinactivestatuswiththerankofMajor:4May1946.
18 | men for others
chapter 2 | to love and serve
george a. king, s.j.Born:23Oct1907.EnteredJesuits:15Aug1925.Ordained:20Jun1937.Died:6Jan1965.Appointed
totheArmy:26Aug1942.Serialnumber:0492181.TotherankofCaptain:1Feb1944;toMajor:
6Apr1945.Assignments:48thEvacuationHospital,TennesseeManeuvers(AugtoOct1942);Chaplain
School,FortDevens,MA(30Nov1942);LedoRoad,AssamthroughBurma(March1943);BaseChaplain,
Chabua,India,servingalsounitsofAirServiceCommandand10thAirForce(Nov1943toNov1944);
Headquarters,ADMAC,AmericanNewDelhiCommand(Nov1944toSep1945).Revertedtoinactive
status:4Feb1946.
william j. leonard, s.j.Born:10Apr1908.EnteredJesuits:30Jul1925.Ordained:20Jun1937.Died:11Feb2000.Appointedto
theArmy:24Jan1944.Serialnumber:0544318.TotherankofCaptain:26Jun1945.Assignments:
HarvardChaplainSchool(10Feb1944);86thInfantryDivision,CampLivingston,Alexandria,LA;
9thOrdnanceBattalion,Finschhafen,NewGuineaandMangaldan,Luzon;HeadquartersBaseX,Manila.
Revertedtoinactivestatus:28Jul1946.
john j. long, s.j. (continued)
Born:20Feb1904.EnteredJesuits:14Aug1920.Ordained:22Jun1933.Died:17Jul1964.Appointed
totheArmy:31Jul1942.Serialnumber:0487098.TotherankofCaptain:19Mar1943;toMajor:25Oct
1943;toLieutenantColonel:19Jul1946.Assignments:MitchellField,LongIsland(1942to1944);5thAirForce,SouthwestPacific,PhilippinesandJapan(1944to1946).Revertedtoinactivestatus:
27Oct1946.RecalledtotheArmy:22Jul1947.Assignments:28thBombardmentWing,RapidCity,SD
(1947to1948);AntillesAirDivision,PuertoRico(1948to1949);CaribbeanAirCommand,Panama,
CanalZone(1949to1951);LacklandAirForceBase,TX(1951to1953);Headquarters,5thAirDivision,
FrenchMorocco(1953to1954);LoringAirForceBase,ME(1954to1956).InAug1949FatherLongwas
transferredtotheAirForce;Serialnumber:A0487098.Revertedtoinactivestatus:1May1956.
daniel j. lynch, s.j.Born:1Jan1879.EnteredJesuits:14Aug1900.Ordained:28Jun1916.Died:13Nov1952.CommissionedasFirstLieutenantintheArmy:16Apr1918.StationedatBloisandTourswiththe310thInfantry,78thDivision.BrigadedwiththeBritishnearArras.InactionattheSt.MihielOffensiveatThiaucourt,andLineySectoratSt.JuvininMeuse-ArgonneOffensive.CitedbyGeneralPershinginaletterdated11Nov1919forconspicuousandmeritorious(continued)
19 | men for others
chapter 2 | to love and serve
daniel j. lynch, s.j. (continued)
serviceatBoisdesLoges.Discharged29May1919atCampLee,VA.TotherankofCaptain:31Dec1924;toMajor:(NationalGuard)20Jul1935;toLieutenantColonel:(NationalGuard)15May1936.RecalledtotheArmy:16Jan1941.Serialnumber:0208785.Assignment:AssistantChaplain26thDivisionatCampEdwards,MAandFortDevens,MA(16Jan1941to19Feb1942).Honorably
dischargedforphysicaldisabilityresultingfromaheartattack:7May1942.AppointedBrigadierGeneral,MassachusettsOrganizedMilitia,16Dec1946.Award:PurpleHeart.
john f. lyons, s.j.Born:22Oct1904.EnteredJesuits:14Aug1926.Ordained:17Jun1939.Died:17Jul1964.Appointed
totheArmy:24Jan1944.Serialnumber:0544278.TotherankofCaptain:16Aug1945.Assignments:
HarvardChaplainSchool(11Feb1944);MasonGeneralHospital,Brentwood,LongIsland(1944);
34thGeneralHospital,AtlanticCity,NJ,andFrance(1944);48thGeneralHospital,France(1944);
305thBombardmentGroup,France(1945);305thand306thBombardmentGroup,France(1946);
414thAirServiceGroup,France(1946).Revertedtoinactivestatus:17Feb1947.
francis j. macdonald, s.j.Born:29Mar1897.EnteredJesuits:30Jul1917.Ordained:18Jun1930.Died:14Dec1979.Commissioned
asLieutenantintheNavy:11Sep1942.Serialnumber:207850.ToLieutenantCommander:3Oct1945.
Assignments:ChaplainSchool,Norfolk,VA(5Oct1942to29Nov1942);MobileHospital#7(12Mar1943
to22May1944);NavalTrainingCenter,Bainbridge(13Jul1944to2Mar1945);U.S.S. Tutuila(15Apr
1945toOct1945).Revertedtoinactivestatus:13Mar1946.ReleasedfromNavalReserve:15Oct1954.
harry c. macleod, s.j.Born:23Aug1900.EnteredJesuits:14Aug1917.Ordained:18Jun1930.CommissionedasLieutenant
intheNavy:21Aug1942.Serialnumber:200219.ToLieutenantCommander:3Oct1945.Assignments:
ChaplainSchool,Norfolk,VA(21Sep1942to13Nov1942);AmphibiousTrainingBase,Solomons,MD
(23Nov1942to3Aug1943);CommanderNavalBase,FOLD(6Oct1943to20Mar1944);LandingCraft
RepairBase#2(8Apr1944toJan1945);NavalHospital,FortEustis,VA(22Apr1945untilrelievedof
activeduty).Revertedtoinactivestatus:1Dec1946.
20 | men for others
chapter 2 | to love and serve
leo p. mccauley, s.j.Born:8May1904.EnteredJesuits:14Aug1922.Ordained:20Jun1934.Died:31Dec1993.Commis-
sionedasLieutenantintheNavy:31Aug1943.Serialnumber:317540.ToLieutenantCommander:
3Oct1945.Assignments:ChaplainSchool,Williamsburg,VA(11Oct1943to5Dec1943);Naval
ConstructionTrainingCenter,CampPeary,Williamsburg,VA(11Dec1943to11Apr1944);USN
AdvancedBase,Dartmouth,Devon,England(May1944toAugust1944);NavalAdvancedBase,Fowey,
Cornwall,England(Aug1944toOct1944);PortChaplain,LeHavre,France(Oct1944toJul1945);
PortHueneme,CA(12Aug1945toMar1946).Revertedtoinactivestatus:12Mar1946.
james d. mclaughlin, s.j.Born:11Nov1901.EnteredJesuits:30Jul1917.Ordained:18Jun1930.Died:24Dec1977.Commissioned
asLieutenantintheNavy:6Nov1943.Serialnumber:335812.ToLieutenantCommander:1Jan1946.
Assignments:ChaplainSchool,Williamsburg,VA(3Jan1944to27Feb1944);NavalHospital,SanDiego
(12Mar1944to7Jul1944);2ndNavalConstructionBrigade(13Jul1944to2Dec1944);121stNaval
ConstructionBase(2Dec1944untilrelievedofactiveduty).Revertedtoinactivestatus:31July1946.
ReleasedfromtheNavalReserve:15Oct1954.
carl h. morgan, s.j.Born:24Mar1908.EnteredJesuits:30Jul1926.Ordained:19Jun1938.AppointedtotheArmy:1Feb
1945.Serialnumber:0930671.TotherankofCaptain:27Sep1950.Assignments:ChaplainSchool,Fort
Devens,MA((Feb1945);FortWadsworth,SouthIsland(Aug1946toMay1947);11thAirborne,Sapporo,
Japan(May1947toJan1948);OsakaArmyHospital(Jan1948toNov1949);82ndAirborne,Fayetteville
(Nov1949toJul1950);8069ReplacementDepot,Sasebo(Jul1950toDec1950);Headquarters,Kobe
Base(Dec1950toOct1951);279thGeneralHospital,Sakai(Oct1951toDec1952);8022A.U.,Kumamoto
(Dec1952);FortLee,VA(1953to1954).Revertedtoinactivestatus:30Nov1954.
francis j. murphy, s.j.Born:15Jul1905.EnteredJesuits:14Aug1924.Ordained:21Jun1936.Died:31May1995.Appointedto
theArmy:27Mar1945.Serialnumber:0931658.TotherankofCaptain:24Dec1945.Assignments:Fort
DevensChaplainSchool(11May1945);33rdInfantryDivision,Philippines(1945);123rdInfantryRegiment,
Kobe,Japan(1945);Japan(1946);38thRegimentalCombatTeam,CampCarson,CO(1947).Relievedof
activeduty:16July1947.Recalledforashorttimeandagainrelieved:4May1948.
21 | men for others
chapter 2 | to love and serve
george m. murphy, s.j.Born:13Oct1899.EnteredJesuits:14Aug1917.Ordained:18Jun1930.Died:11Jun1971.Commissioned
FirstLieutenantintheArmyReserve:26Aug1938.Resigned:28Aug1940.CommissionedFirst
LieutenantinMassachusettsNationalGuard:13Aug1940.Orderedintoactiveservice:16Sep1940.
Serialnumber:0371536.TotherankofCaptain:28May1942;toMajor:31Jul1945.Assignments:
241stCoastArtillery,FortAndrews,MA(26Sep1940to9Mar1942);50thCoastArtillery,CampPend-
leton,VA(4Mar1942to3Apr1942);Headquarters,HeadquartersBatteryand3rdBattalion,50thCoast
Artillery,and20thCoastArtillery,Galveston(3Apr1942to4Jun1942);50thCoastArtillery,Camp
Pendleton,VA(4Jun1942to5Aug1942);HarvardChaplainSchool(5Aug1942to17Sep1942);Camp
Pendleton,VA(17Sep1942to10Dec1942);Chaplain,HarborDefenses,KeyWest,FL(10Dec1942to13
May1943);50thCoastArtilleryRegiment,MontaukPoint,NY(13May1943to20Sep1943);FortMcKin-
ley,CascoBay,ME(20Sep1943to14Dec1943);CampHero,MontaukPoint,NY(14Dec1943to14Jan
1944);Headquarters,16thCavalry,Framingham,MA(17Jan1944to18May1944);2ndCoastArtillery,
FortStory,VA(18May1944to15Jun1944);HarborDefenses,ChesapeakeBay(15Jun1944to25Sep
1944);WoodrowWilsonGeneralHospital,Staunton,VA(25Sep1944to29Dec1944);ValleyForge
GeneralHospital,Phoenixville,PA(29Dec1944to31Jan1946).Revertedtoinactivestatus:18Jun1946.
Award:ArmyCommendationRibbon.
paul j. murphy, s.j.Born:18Nov1908.EnteredJesuits:7Sep1926.Ordained:19Jun1938.Died:27Aug1990.Originally
appointedaschaplainintheU.S.MaritimeService:Feb1943.ServedatOfficers’School,Alameda,CA,
untilMay1944.CommissionedasLieutenant(j.g.)intheNavy:7Jun1944.Serialnumber:394865.
ToLieutenant:1Feb1946.Assignments:ChaplainSchool,Williamsburg,VA(3Jul1944to27Aug1944);
NavalHospital,GreatLakes,IL(8Sep1944to12Mar1945);BogueField,NC(18Mar1945to22Aug1945);
U.S.S.GeneralMeigs(transport)(22Aug1945toMar1946);NavalHospital,Newport,RI(16Mar1946
untilrelieved).Revertedtoinactivestatus:14Jul1946.ResignedfromtheNavalReserve:13Oct1953.
vincent de p. o’brien, s.j.Born:23Aug1907.EnteredJesuits:30Jul1925.Ordained:20Jun1937.Died:5Jul1987.Servedwith
theUnitedStatesMaritimeService:Feb1945toDec1945.
22 | men for others
chapter 2 | to love and serve
joseph t. o’callahan, s.j.Born;14May1905.EnteredJesuits:30Jul1922.Ordained:20Jun1934.Died:18Mar1964.CommissionedatLieutenant(j.g.)intheNavy:7Aug1940.Serialnumber:87280.ToLieutenant:2Jan1942;toLieutenantCommander:1Jul1943;toCommander:20Jul1945.Assignments:NavalAirStation,Pensacola(23Nov1940to20Apr1942);U.S.S. Ranger(carrier)(31May1942toMay1944)duringwhichtimethecarrierservedinNorthAtlanticwatersandintheinvasionofNorthAfrica;NavalAirStation,Alameda(May1944toDec1944);NavalAirStation,Hawaii(23Dec1944to2Mar1945);U.S.S. Franklin(2Mar1945to8Apr1946)duringwhichtimethecarrierwashitbyenemybombsinwatersoffthecoastofJapan,19Mar1945;BureauofPer-sonnel(April1945untilrelievedofactiveduty).ActedasofficialescortchaplainforthebodyofManuelQuezon(firstpresidentofthePhilippineIslands)fromWashington,DCtoManila,P.I.Revertedtoinactivestatus:12Nov1946.RetiredfromtheNavalReserve:1Nov1953.Awards:MedalofHonor;PurpleHeart.
daniel f. X. o’connor, s.j.Born:12Oct1900.EnteredJesuits:14Aug1918.Ordained:16Jun1931.Died:12Sep1958.Commis-
sionedasLieutenantintheNavy:18May1942.Serialnumber:169209.ToLieutenantCommander:17Oct1944.Assignments:ChaplainSchool,Norfolk,VA(6Jul1942to28Aug1942);NavalHospital,Corona,CA(10Sep1942to10Sep1943);14thNavalDistrict,PearlHarbor,Hawaii(18Sep1943to10Jan1944);NavalOperatingBase,MidwayIsland(10Jan1944to10Oct1944);IroquoisPoint,Oahu,Hawaii(13Oct1944to2Jun1945);NavyBase,PortHueneme,CA(6Jul1945to18Sep1945);NavalTrainingCenter,SanDiego(23Sep1945toApr1946).Revertedtoinactivestatus:26May1946.ResignedfromNavalReserve:18Feb1957.
leo p. o’keefe, s.j.Born:10Apr1908.EnteredJesuits:15Aug1929.Ordained:17Jun1939.Died:16Nov1991.Appointed
totheArmy:29Jan1944.Serialnumber:0544766.TotherankofCaptain:25Jan1945.Assignments:
HarvardChaplainSchool(14Mar1944);RandolphField,TX(1944to1946).Revertedtoinactivestatus:
22Apr1946.
23 | men for others
chapter 2 | to love and serve
charles j. reardon, s.j.Born:2May1907.EnteredJesuits:7Sep1927.Ordained:17Jun1939.Died:28Jun1991.Appointed
totheArmy:29Apr1944.Serialnumber:0551384.TotherankofCaptain:1May1945.Assignments:
HarvardChaplainSchool(8Jun1944);CampGordon,Augusta,GA(15Jul1944);FortJackson,SC
(20Sep1944);England,France,HollandandGermany(Oct1944toMay1945);15thGeneralHospital,
Belgium(28Jul1945).ServedintheUnitedStatesandoverseaswith1147thEngineerCombatGroup.
Revertedtoinactivestatus:22Sep1946.
charles m. roddy, s.j.Born:26Sep1888.EnteredJesuits:7May1910.Ordained:26Jun1923.Died:11May1967.Appointed
totheArmy:2Aug1943.Serialnumber:0530276.TotherankofCaptain:28Jul1944.Assignments:
HarvardChaplainSchool(1Oct1943);FortGeorgeMeade,MD(1943);CarlisleBarracks,PAandCamp
Lee,VA(1944);hospitalshipchaplain(1945).Revertedtoinactivestatus:18Mar1946.
richard l. rooney, s.j.Born:21Oct1903.EnteredJesuits:15Aug1923.Ordained:23Jun1935.Died:2Feb1977.Appointed
totheArmy:13Apr1944.Serialnumber:0549988.TotherankofCaptain:21Apr1945.Assignments:
HarvardChaplainSchool(30Apr1944);ArmyAirForceBase,BiggsField,ElPaso,TX.Revertedto
inactivestatus:28Feb1946.
daniel f. ryan, s.j.Born:30Jul1888.EnteredJesuits:13Aug1905.Ordained:29Jun1920.Died:8Jan1970.Appointed
totheArmy:29May1943.Serialnumber:0523595.TotherankofCaptain:28Jul1944.Assignments:
HarvardChaplainSchool(4Nov1943);WoodrowWilsonGeneralHospital,Staunton,VA;Indiantown
GapMilitaryReservation,PA.Revertedtoinactivestatus:20May1946.
john d. st. john, s.j.Born:9Feb1908.EnteredJesuits:30Jul1925.Ordained:20Jun1937.Died:9Sep1992.Appointedto
theArmy:6Apr1942.Serialnumber:0447906.TotherankofCaptain:7Dec1942;toMajor:17Aug
1944;toLieutenantColonel:7Jun1946.Assignments:324thAirForceServiceGroup,Orlando,FL
(22Apr1942to21Aug1942);324thAirForceServiceGroup,Lakeland,FL(22Aug1942to26Dec1942);
324thAirForceServiceGroup,Algeria,Tunisia(Jan1943toDec1943);(continued)
24 | men for others
chapter 2 | to love and serve
john d. st. john, s.j. (continued)
324thAirServiceGroup,Foggia,Italy(Dec1943toMay1944);304thBombardmentWing,Cerignola,Italy
(May1944toSep1944);Headquarters,15thAirForce,Bari,Italy(Sep1944toMay1945);304thBombard-
mentWing,Cerignola,Italy(May1945toSep1945).Revertedtoinactivestatus:7Feb1946.Appointedto
theAirForce:Jan1949.Serialnumber:A0447906.TotherankofColonel:17Dec1956.Assignments:
OfficeoftheAirForceChiefofChaplainstoorganizeandconductmissionsforAirForcepersonnel
(5Jan1949to1Jun1957);StaffChaplain,9thAirForce,TacticalAirCommand(25Jun1957to31Dec
1959);Headquarters,30thAirDivision,TruaxField,Madison,WI(1Jan1960to1965).Awards:Bronze
Star,AirForceCommendationMedal;AirForceCommendationRibbon.
joseph p. shanahan, s.j.Born:7Mar1908.EnteredJesuits:14Aug1925.Ordained:19Jun1938.CommissionedasLieutenant
(j.g.)intheNavy:20Jan1944.Serialnumber:349588.ToLieutenant:1Jul1945.Assignments:Chaplain
School,Williamsburg,VA(28Feb1944to23Apr1944);NavalAirStation,SanDiego(9May1944toJul
1945);3rdMarineAirWing(19Jul1945to22Sep1945);NavalAirStation#28(22Sep1945untilrelieved
ofactiveduty.)Revertedtoinactivestatus:19Apr1946.ReleasedfromNavalReserve:15Oct1954.
thomas a. shanahan, s.j.Born:23Jun1895.EnteredJesuits:14Aug1916.Ordained:22Jun1929.Died:25Jun1963.Appointed
totheArmywiththerankofCaptain:2May1942.Serialnumber:0888031.TotherankofMajor:
5Jul1943;toLieutenantColonel:15Jan1946.Assignments:35thA.B.Group,ChartersTowers,North
Queensland,Australia(2Mar1942to2Jun1942);Headquarters,USASOSSWPA,DeputyChaplain,
SydneyandBrisbane,Australia(5Jun1942to18Sep1944);Headquarters,BaseK,Tacloban,Leyte,
Philippines(19Sep1944to31Dec1944);Headquarters,BaseM,SanFabian,Luzon(1Jan1945to8Mar
1945);LettermanGeneralandLovellGeneralHospitals(30May1945to20Sep1945);Redistribution
Center,FortOglethorpe,GA(Sep1945toNov1945);FortGeorgeMeadeSeparationCenter,MD(Nov
1945toJan1946);reliefworkinPhilippines(Feb1946toMar1946).Revertedtoinactivestatus:8May
1946.PriortohisappointmenttotheArmy,FatherShanahanhadbeenappointedasRedCrossChaplain,
Manila(9Dec1941);andwasChaplainontheS.S.Mactanwhichevacuatedwoundedpersonnelfrom
ManilatoSydney,Australia(1Jan1942to28Jan1942).Award:BronzeStar.
richard g. shea, s.j.Born:28Sep1902.EnteredJesuits:14Aug1922.Ordained:20Jun1934.Died:25Mar1984.Appointed
totheArmy:15Dec1942. Serialnumber:0507901. TotherankofCaptain: 20Nov1943(continued)
25 | men for others
chapter 2 | to love and serve
richard g. shea, s.j. (continued)Assignments:HarvardChaplainSchool(3Jan1943);CampPatrickHenry, HamptonRoadsPortofEmbarkation,VA(1943toAug1944);InfantryReplacementCenter, CampBlanding,FL(Aug1944toOct1944);with9thAirForceinFrance,Belgium,Germany(Oct1944toSep1945);ShawAirForceBase,Sumter,SC(Oct1945toDec1945). Revertedtoinactivestatus:19Feb1946.Appointed
totheAirForceReserve:1Jul1949. Serialnumber:A0507901.Calledtoactiveduty:Jun1951.Assign-
ments:CastleAirForceBase,CA(Jun1951toMar1952);3918th AirBaseGroup,RAFStation,Up-perHeyford,Oxfordshire,England(Mar1952toApr1955);LacklandAirforceBase,TX(May1955toJun1956).RelievedofactivedutywiththerankofMajor:Jun1956.
robert e. sheridan, s.j.Born:7Jun1897.EnteredJesuits:15Aug1915.Ordained:20Jun1928.Died:25Dec1978.Appointedto
theArmy:11Mar1942.Serialnumber:0442204.TotherankofCaptain:5Oct1942;toMajor:9Dec
1946.Assignments:PortofEmbarkation,Charleston,SC(23Mar1942);fromFeb1944toFeb1946,
thirteenmonthsofhospitalshipdutyaboardAcadia(inAtlantic)andChateau-Thierry(inPacific),logging
95,000milesatsea.Revertedtoinactivestatus:21May1946.Award:ArmyCommendationRibbon.
harold v. stockman, s.j.Born:3Jun1898.EnteredJesuits:16Sep1917.Ordained:18Jun1930.Died:10Aug1962.Commissioned
asLieutenantintheNavy:24Aug1943.Serialnumber:316882.ToLieutenantCommander:1Nov1945.
Assignments:ChaplainSchool,Williamsburg,VA(11Oct1943to5Dec1943);NavyYard,Norfolk
(15Dec1943to21Jun1944);withnavalunitsinMediterraneanTheaterofOperations(24Jun1944to
25Jul1945);Chaplain,PortsmouthNavalPrison(Sep1945toJul1947);NavalAirStation,GreenCove
Springs,FL(Aug1947untilrelievedofactiveduty).RevertedtoinactivestatusandretiredfromNaval
Reserve:1Jun1948.
francis v. sullivan, s.j.Born:10Apr1898.EnteredJesuits:23Jan1919.Ordained:18Jun1930.Died:11Jan1972.Commissioned
asLieutenantintheNavy:13Mar1942.Serialnumber:139079.ToLieutenantCommander:13Dec1943;
toCommander:5Nov1945.Assignments:ChaplainSchool,FortSchuyler,NY(1May1942to12Jun
1942);NavalOperatingBaseandChaplains’TrainingSchool,Norfolk,VA(20Jun1942to31Jul1942);
3rdMarines,Samoa(1Aug1942to3Mar1943);DeanChaplainsSchool,WilliamandMaryCollege,VA
(28May1943to13Aug1944);SeniorChaplain,EuropeanTheater,London(3Sep1944untilrelievedof
activeduty).Revertedtoinactivestatus:14Mar1946.RetiredfromNavalReserve:Jan1956.
26 | the medals and the men
chapter 3 | to love and serve
TheMedalsandtheMen
thelistofcitationsandawardswascompiledfromquestionnairesandtherecordsof
theofficesofchiefchaplainsorthevariousservices.TheNavyandAirForcerecordsare
reasonablycomplete;theArmylistforJesuitsisabout80%complete.Awardsthathavenot
beenverifiedhavenotbeenincluded.
worldwariicitationsandawards:military
barry, john l. bronze star, purple heart
boylan, bernard r. navy and marine corps medal
brock, laurence m. legion of merit
dolan, james j. bronze star
dugan, john j.bronze star, army commendation ribbon
hennessey, thomas p. bronze star
huss, harry l. bronze star
lynch, daniel j. purple heart
murphy, george m. army commendation medal
Inthefollowinglist,thecitationorgeneralordersconferringthedecorationiscitedor,ifunavailable,aprécisofthecitation.
Ifneitherisavailable,onlythetitleofthedecorationislisted.
citations and awards
27 | the medals and the men
chapter 3 | to love and serve
world war ii citations and awards: military (continued)
o’callahan, joseph t. medal of honor, purple heart
st. john, john d. bronze star air force commendation medalair force commendation ribbon
shanahan, thomas a. bronze star
sheridan, robert e. army commendation medal
world war ii citations and awards: papal
fay, thomas p. benemerenti – awarded by pope pius Xii
NOTE:TheCommendationMedalwasoriginallyaribbonandwasfirstissuedbytheNavyandtheCoastGuardin1943.Butby1960,theCommendationRibbonshadbeenauthorizedasfullmedalsandwerethereafterreferredtoasCommendationMedals.
Thisinformationiscompiledfrom“JesuitsasChaplainsintheArmedForces”byGerardF.Giblin,S.J.,Woodstock Letters,89,361-491.
28 | the medals and the men
chapter 3 | to love and serve
themedalofhonorisawardedbythepresidentinthenameofcongresstoapersonwho,whileamemberoftheunitedstatesarmedforces,distinguisheshimselforherselfconspicuouslybygallantryandintrepidityattheriskofhislifeorherlife
aboveandbeyondthecallofdutywhileengagedinanactionagainstanenemyofthe
UnitedStates;whileengagedinmilitaryoperationsinvolvingconflictwithanopposingforeign
force;orwhileservingwithfriendlyforeignforcesengagedinanarmedconflictagainstan
opposingarmedforceinwhichtheUnitedStatesisnotabelligerentparty.
Thedeedperformedmusthavebeenoneofpersonalbraveryorself-sacrificesoconspic-uousastoclearlydistinguishtheindividual
abovehisorhercomradesandmusthaveinvolvedriskoflife.Incontestableproofoftheperformanceoftheservicewillbeexactedandeachrecommen-dationfortheawardofthisdecorationwillbecon-sideredonthestandardofextraordinarymerit.
joseph t. o’callahan, s.j.Forconspicuousgallantryandintrepidityatthe
riskoflifeaboveandbeyondthecallofdutywhileservingaschaplainonboardtheU.S.S. FranklinwhenthatvesselwasattackedbyenemyJapaneseaircraftduringoffensiveoperationsnearKobe,Japan,on19March1945.Avaliantandforce-fulleader,calmlybravingtheperilousbarriersofflamesandtwistedmetaltoaidhismenandhisship,LieutenantCommanderO’Callahangropedhiswaythroughsmoke-filledcorridorstotheflightdeckandintothemidstofviolentlyexplod-
ingbombs,shells,rocketsandotherarmament.
Withtheshiprockedbyincessantexplosions,with
debrisandfragmentsrainingdownandfiresraging
inincreasingfury,comfortingandencouraging
menofallfaiths,heorganizedandledfire-fighting
crewsintotheblazinginfernoontheflightdeck;
hedirectedthejettisoningofliveammunitionand
thefloodingofthemagazine;hemannedahoseto
coolhot,armedbombsrollingdangerouslyonthe
listingdeck,continuinghiseffortsdespitesearing,
suffocatingsmokewhichforcedmentofallback
gaspingandimperiledotherswhoreplacedthem.
Servingwithcourage,fortitudeanddeepspiritual
strength,LieutenantCommanderO’Callahanin-
spiredthegallantofficersandmenoftheFranklin
tofightheroicallyandwithprofoundfaithinthe
faceofalmostcertaindeathandreturntheir
strickenshiptoport.
medal of honor
29 | the medals and the men
chapter 3 | to love and serve
thepurpleheartisawardedinthenameofthepresidentoftheunitedstatestoany
memberofthearmedforcesoftheunitedstateswho,whileservingundercompetent
authorityinanycapacitywithoneoftheU.S.ArmedServicesafterApril5,1917,hasbeen
woundedorkilled,orwhohasdiedafterbeingwounded.
john l. barry, s.j. (ReceivedthePurpleHeartforwounds
sustainedinaction17October1952nearKumhwa,NorthKorea,whileonservicewiththe48
thArtillery.)
daniel j. lynch, s.j. Hisworkcomfortingthedyingandburyingthe
deadinfrontoftheBoisdesLogesinOctober1918involvedmuchnightwork,exhaustingmentallyandphysically,underfireofallkinds.
ChaplainLynchonmorethanoneoccasionappearedatdawnatBrigadeHeadquartersalmostinastateofcollapsefromanallnightofarduous,dangerousandnerve-wrackinghours.Hethoughtnotofhimself,onlyofothers,hisdutytohiscountryandhisGod.
joseph t. o’callahan, s.j. (Woundedbyanexplosionaboard
U.S.S. Franklin19March1945.)
DuringtheearlyperiodofAmericaninvolvementinWorldWarII(December7,1941–September22,1943),thePurple
Heartwasawardedbothforwoundsreceivedinactionagainsttheenemyandformeritorious
performanceofduty.WiththeestablishmentoftheLegionofMerit,byanActofCongress,thepracticeofawardingthePurpleHeartformeritoriousservicewasdiscontinued.
purple heart
30 | the medals and the men
chapter 3 | to love and serve
thelegionofmerit,establishedbyactofcongress20july1942,isawardedtoanymemberofthearmedforcesoftheunitedstatesorafriendlyforeignnationwhohasdistinguishedhimselforherselfbyexceptionallymeritoriousconductinthe
performanceofoutstandingservicesandachievements.Theperformancemusthave
beensuchastomeritrecognitionofkeyindividualsforservicerenderedinaclearly
exceptionalmanner.
laurence m. brock, s.j.LaurenceM.Brock,0403400,Captain,
ChaplainCorps,UnitedStatesArmy,forexcep-tionallymeritoriousconductintheperformanceofoutstandingservicesintheSouthPacificArea,duringtheperiodofFebruary1942toSeptem-ber1943.AsChaplainofaregimentbivouackedinanareaofoverfiftymilesatanadvancedbase,CaptainBrocktravelledtohismenunderthemostadverseconditionstocarryouthisowndutiesandthoseofSpecialServiceOfficerpriortothetimethattheTableofOrganizationprovidedanofficerforthatduty.ThispresentedCaptainBrockwiththeproblemofextendinghisnormalworkto
includesucharrangementsastheoperationandupkeepofmotionpictureapparatus,andtheorganizationanddirectionofamateurtheatricals.Thecumulativeeffectofhisgoodworkwasclearlyevidencedbythehighmoraleoftheregimentuponitsentryintoactivecombat.InhisunceasingeffortstocarrythewordofGodtotroopsfightinginperilousforwardareasCaptainBrockdisdainedallhazardsandexpendedhiseveryeffort.Thealtru-istic,courageousqualityofhissuperlativeworkwasbestillustratedatChristmastime,1942,whenhetraversedfromfoxholetofoxholeunderhostilesniperfiretoreceiveconfessionsandthusadminis-terreligioussolacetomen.
legion of merit
31 | the medals and the men
chapter 3 | to love and serve
john l. barry, s.j.Chaplain(FirstLieutenant)JohnL.Barry,
0931664,Chaplains,UnitedStatesArmy,amem-berofHeadquarters,7
thInfantryDivisionArtillery,distinguishedhimselfbymeritoriousachievementon20October1952.Whileanintenseattackwasbeinglaunchedagainsttheenemy,ChaplainBarry,againsttheprotestsofthecommandingofficer,movedintothethickofthebattle,administer-ingaid,bothspiritualandmedical,tothefriendlycasualtiesandencouragingthefightingmen.Theintegrity,thesinceredevotiontoGodandcountry,andthedeeppersonalregardforthewelfareofthemenwithwhomheserved,madeChaplainBarryaninspiringfigureandanennoblinginfluenceonallwithwhomhecameincontact.ThemeritoriousachievementofChaplainBarryreflectsgreatcreditonhimselfandthemilitaryservice.
james j. dolan, s.j.JamesJ.Dolan(Captain),0402252,Chaplains
Corps,hasbeenawardedtheBronzeStarMedalformeritoriousserviceandexceptionalserviceincon-nectionwithmilitaryoperationsagainsttheenemy
onSaipan,MarianasIslands,duringtheperiod21July1944and2September1945.
john j. dugan, s.j.(AwardedBronzeStarbyGeneralOrder113,
Headquarters,WarDepartment4December1945.)
thomas p. hennessey, s.j.ChaplainThomasP.Hennessey,(Captain)
0530788,CorpsofChaplains,hasbeenawardedtheBronzeStarMedalfordistinctiveheroisminconnectionwithmilitaryoperationsagainsttheenemyduringtheperiod22to23March1945nearGeinsheim,Germany.WhenassaulttroopscrossedtheRhineRiver,ChaplainHennesseyvolunteeredtoaccompanytheattachedcollectivecompany.Anhourandahalfenemyartillerybarragewaslaunchedintotheareaoccupiedbythecollectivestation,andChaplainHennesseyexposedhimselfconstantlytosupervisetheremovalofwoundedmen.Hisoutstandingdevotiontohisself-appointedmis-sionwasagreatinspirationtothewoundedandthemenworkingwithhimandreflectsgreatcredituponhimselfandthemilitaryservice.
thebronzestarmedal,establishedbyexecutiveorder9419,4february1944,isawardedtoanypersonwho,whileservinginanycapacityinorwiththearmyoftheunitedstatesafter6december1941,distinguishedhimselforherselfbyheroicormeritorious
achievementorservice,notinvolvingparticipationinaerialflight,inconnectionwithmilitary
operationsagainstanarmedenemy;orwhileengagedinmilitaryoperationsinvolvingconflict
withanopposingarmedforceinwhichtheUnitedStatesisnotabelligerentparty.
bronze star medal
32 | the medals and the men
chapter 3 | to love and serve
harry l. huss, s.j.Major(Chaplain)HarryL.Huss(then
Captain),(ArmySerialNo.0509085),ArmyoftheUnitedStates,formeritoriousserviceinconnectionwithmilitaryoperations,asDistrictChaplain,WesternDistrict,UnitedKingdomBase;DeputyChaplain,ChannelBaseSection;DeputyChaplain,ChanorBaseSection,CommunicationsZone,EuropeanTheaterofOperations,from16September1944to8May1945.Despitetheeverin-creasingdifficultieswithregardtothereadjustmentofChaplains,ChaplainHussexecutedquickandsurejudgmentintheredeploymentprogram.HiszealandenergyincoveringsmallandisolatedunitswhowerewithoutaChaplainandhismeticulousattention,guaranteeingburialservicesofAmericanpersonnel,gainedtherespectandhighregardofallwithwhomhecameincontact.Hisunderstandingofhumannatureenabledhimtosolvemanydeli-cateproblemsrequiringaknowledgeofthecivilianstatutes,armyregulationsandindividual’semo-tions.TheoutstandingservicesrenderedbyChap-lainHussreflectgreatcredituponhimselfandtheArmedForcesoftheUnitedStates.EnteredmilitaryservicefromMassachusetts.
john d. st. john, s.j.LieutenantColonelJohnD.St.Johnperformed
meritoriousservicefromApril1944toMay1945asChaplain,304thBombWing,andlaterasAssistantChaplain,15thAirForce.Heexhibitedahighdegreeofinitiative,tactandforethoughttoinsurespiritualandmoralfacilitiesfortheentirepersonnelunderhisministration.Hedisplayedexceptionalexecu-tiveabilityandresourcefulnessinreorganizingand
puttingintoeffectanentirelynewChaplain’spolicyforthe15
thAirForce,wherebyallmembersofhisfaithreceivedguidanceandconsolencedespiteashortageofChaplains.
thomas a. shanahan, s.j.Chaplain(Major)ThomasA.Shanahan
(0888031),ChaplainCorps,UnitedStatesArmy.FormeritoriousachievementinLuzon,PhilippineIslands,from13January1945to15March1945,inconnectionwithmilitaryoperationsagainsttheenemy.BecauseofhisformerresidenceinthePhilippinesandhisintimateknowledgeoftheirpeople,ChaplainShanahanvoluntarilyaccompaniedtheadvanceechelonofamajorbaseheadquarterstoLuzon.Immediatelyonarrivalheorganizedreliefandrehabilitationmeasuresforthelocalpopulaceandministeredtobattlecasualtiesinforward-areahospitalswithcompletedisregardforhisownsafety.AmongthefirstAmericanstoenterManila,heimmediatelybeganobtainingfood,shelter,andmedicalcareforupwardof10,000sick,injured,andhomelessrefugees,andfor70nunssufferingfromillnessandmalnutrition.WhiletheenemywasshellingtheUniversityofSantoTomas,hestoodbycontinuallytoadministerclericalritestothewound-edanddyinganddevotedhimselfunstintinglytotheaidofcivilianinternees.HiseffortsmateriallyassistedintheorganizationofSantoTomasforcon-versionintoamajorhospitalunit.Byhisintrepidcourage,inspiringspiritualguidance,andsubstan-tialmaterialaidtoaneedyandsufferingpeople,ChaplainShanahanupheldthehigheststandardsofhumanityandthepriesthoodandrenderedsubstan-tialaidinthepropercareofthesickandwounded.
bronze star medal (continued)
33 | the medals and the men
chapter 3 | to love and serve
thenavyandmarinecorpsmedal,establishedbyanactofcongressonaugust7,1942,maybeawardedtoservicememberswho,whileservinginanycapacitywiththenavyor
marinecorps,distinguishthemselvesbyheroismnotinvolvingactualconflictwithanenemy.
Foractsoflifesaving,orattemptedlifesaving,itisrequiredthattheactionbeperformedatthe
riskofone’sownlife.
bernard r. boylan, s.j.Forheroicconductduringrescueoperationsin
FinschhafenHarboronAugust23,1944.WiththegasolineladenS.S. John C. Calhounenvelopedinflamesfollowinganexplosioninthehold,Lieu-tenantBoylanleapedfromanadjoiningvesseltogototheaidofseveralcasualtiesonthestricken
ship.Awareoftheimminentdangerofadditionalexplosions,heassistedinremovingmentosafety;searchedthedebrisforotherwounded;andrefusedtoleavethesceneuntilallcasualtieshadbeencaredfor.HisinitiativeandcouragethroughoutreflectthehighestcredituponLieutenantBoylanandtheUnitedStatesNavalService.
navy and marine corps medal
34 | the medals and the men
chapter 3 | to love and serve
theairforcecommendationmedalwasauthorizedbythesecretaryoftheairforceonmarch28,1958, forawardtomembersofthearmedforcesoftheunitedstateswho,whileservinginanycapacitywiththeairforceaftermarch24,1958,
shallhavedistinguishedthemselvesbymeritoriousachievementandservice.Thedegreeof
meritmustbedistinctive,thoughitneednotbeunique.Actsofcouragewhichdonotinvolve
thevoluntaryriskofliferequiredfortheSoldier’sMedalmaybeconsideredfortheAirForce
CommendationMedal.
john d. st. john, s.j.Chaplain(Colonel)JohnD.St.John
distinguishedhimselfformeritoriousserviceasStaffChaplain,NinthAirForce,ShawAirForceBase,SouthCarolina,from25June1957to1November1959.Duringthisperiodofunprec-edentedoperationalactivityandfrequentoverseasdeploymentbyunitsofthiscommand,ChaplainSt.John’sdynamicpersonalityandtirelesseffortswereaninspirationtothecommandersandunitchaplainschargedwithmaintainingthemoraleandspiritualwelfareofNinthAirForcepersonnel.InadditionHeadquartersUnitedStatesAirForcehasacceptedaplanconceivedbyChaplainSt.JohnforsendingselectedmembersoftheUSAFChap-lainCorpstocivilianinstitutionsoflearningtore-ceivespecializedtraining.DesignedtoenhancetheprofessionalqualificationsandprestigeofAirForcechaplains,thisprogramwillyieldfarreachingben-efitsthroughouttheAirForce.ChaplainSt.John’sinitiative,devotiontoduty,andunflaggingconcernforthewelfareofothershavereflectedgreatcredituponhimself,NinthAirForceandTacticalAirCommand.
john d. st. john, s.j.Chaplain(LieutenantColonel)JohnD.St.John
distinguishedhimselfbymeritoriousserviceasamemberoftheUSAFCatholicpreachingmissionteam,OfficeoftheChiefofAirForceChaplains,HeadquartersUSAF,duringtheperiod12May1949to19July1955.DuringthisperiodChaplainSt.Johntraveled238,082airmiles,whichincluded1228:58hoursofflyingtime,toconductCatholicpreach-ingmissionswithineveryoverseaAirForceCom-mand.Incarryingoutthesepreachingmissions,ChaplainSt.Johnandhisco-missionerconducted218missions,1,203eveningservices,2,624Massesandadministered64,462HolyCommunions.Itisestimatedthat387,784AirForcepersonnelandtheirdependentsoftheCatholicfaithtookpartinthesemissionactivities.ThroughhiseffortsasamemberoftheCatholicpreachingmissionteam,ChaplainSt.Johnhasbroughtspiritualbenefitsandenlighten-menttopersonneloftheCatholicfaithandinturnadvancedtheprogramoftheAirForceChaplainsSix-PointProgramindevelopingthespiritualwellbeingandmoraleofAirForceCatholicpersonnel.Inaccomplishinghisdutiesinsuchanoutstandingmanner,ChaplainSt.JohnhasreflectedgreatcredituponhimselfandtheUnitedStatesAirForce.
air force commendation medal
35 | the medals and the men
chapter 3 | to love and serve
thearmycommendationmedal(arcom),establishedbywardepartmentcircular377,18december1945,isawardedtoanymemberofthearmedforcesoftheunitedstateswho,whileservinginanycapacityinthearmyafter6december1941, distinguishes
himselforherselfbyheroism,meritoriousachievementormeritoriousservice.awardmaybemadetoamemberofthearmedforcesofafriendlyforeignnationwho,
after1june1962,distinguisheshimselforherselfbyanactofheroism,extraordinary
achievement,ormeritoriousservicewhichhasbeenofmutualbenefittoafriendlynationand
theUnitedStates.AwardsoftheArmyCommendationRibbonandoftheCommendation
RibbonwithMetalPendantwereredesignatedbyDAGeneralOrders10,31March1960,as
awardsoftheArmyCommendationMedal,withoutamendmentoforderspreviouslyissued.
george m. murphy, s.j.Formeritoriousandoutstandingservice
asChaplainatValleyForgeGeneralHospital,Phoenixville,Pennsylvania,fromDecember1944to1February1946.ChaplainMurphyfilledthespiritualneedsofthepatientsandnocallonhisserviceswentunanswered.Aboveandbeyondhisnormaldutieshehaswonthefriendshipofpatientsandstaffalikebyhissympatheticunderstandingoftheirproblemsandhiscongenialpersonalitywhichwasreflectedinhisdailytasks.ChaplainMurphyexemplifiedthefinestattributesofhisprofession
andhiscontributiontotheservicereflectsgreatcreditupontheChaplainCorpsandtheMilitaryService.
robert e. sheridan, s.j.Hisuntiringefforts,cheerfulness,pleasing
personalityandcompletedevotiontodutydisplayedfrom10May1945to21February1946gavecomfortandconfidencetopatientsaboardtheHospitalShipChateau Thierry.Ahighstateofmoralewasalsoachievedthroughoutthevoyage.
army commendation medal
36 | the medals and the men
chapter 3 | to love and serve
Benemerenti medal in the collection of the Thomas P. Fay, S.J., Archives of the Society of Jesus of New England, College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA
thebenemerentimedal,institutedbypopegregoryxviin1832,isconferredonthosewho
haveexhibitedlongandexceptionalservicetotheCatholicChurch,theirfamiliesandcommu-
nity.Thewordbenemerentimeans“toawelldeservingperson.”
thomas p. fay, s.j.
pius Xii pontifeX maXimusNumismaDecernereAcDilargiri
DignatusEst
rev. p. thomas p. fay, s.j.VirtutisLaudeBenemerenti
EidemFacultatemFaciensSeipsumHocOrnamentoDecorandiExAedibusVaticanis,Die30Aprilis1947
WhileservingasChaplainwiththeArmedForcesoftheUnitedStatesofAmericaintheEuropeanTheatreduringtwoyears,fromJuly1944toJuly1946,andparticularlyduringtheperiodfromMay1945toJuly1946,asChaplainattachedtoWesternBaseHeadquarters,France,ThomasPatrickFay,oftheSocietyofJesus,renderedsignalserviceoverandabovethelineofdutyinadminis-trationofduties,notonlytotheAmericanperson-nelinhischarge,butalsototheneedypopulationofthewartorncountriesandinparticulartothenumerousclergyofallfaithsamongtheprisonersofwarheldbythevictoriousAmericanarmiesinvariousencampmentsinFranceandBelgium.FatherFayarrangedandprovidedforspiritualretreatsforCatholicpriestsandforLutheranministersamongtheprisonersofwarandshowedadevotiontohisfellowmenwhichrichlydeservestherecognitionoftheawardofthemedal“Benemerenti”.FatherFay’sservicesinthisregardwereuniqueandinvaluable:themoresoastheyareevidenceofacharitythatistrulyChristianandtranscendingmotivesmerelyhuman.
benemerenti medal
37 | in their own words
chapter 4 | to love and serve
InTheirOwnWords
ManyofthesearticlesarereprintedfromTheWoodstockLetters,apublicationoftheSocietyofJesusfrom1872until
1969.TheWoodstockLettersincludehistoricalarticles,updatesonworkbeingdonebytheJesuits,eyewitnessaccountsofhistoricevents,bookre-views,obituaries,andvariousothersitemsofinter-esttotheSociety.TheyprovideaninvaluablerecordoftheworkdonebyAmericanJesuitsthroughoutthe19thand20thcenturies.TheyarenowfullydigitizedandavailableonlineattheSt.LouisUniversityLibrariesDigitalCollection,http://cdm.slu.edu/cdm/landingpage/collection/woodstock
Twoautobiographicalpublications,toolengthytoreprinthere,maybeofinterest.n “LifeUndertheJaps:FromBataan’sFallto
MiraculousRescueatCabanatuanbyYanks”byMajorJohnJ.Dugan,S.J.astoldtoWillarddeLueandpublishedininstallmentsintheBoston GlobenewspaperfromSunday,April1toSaturday,April21,1945.Basedonaseriesofinterviews,thefullstoryofFr.Dugan’s34monthsasaprisonerofwarundertheJapanese.
n I Was Chaplain on the“Franklin”byJosephT.O’Callahan,S.J.(NewYork:MacmillanCompa-ny,1956).Fr.O’CallahanrecountshisexperienceasaNavyChaplainontheUSS“Franklin”,anaircraftcarrierbombedbyJapaneseaircraft.
thisselectionofarticlesoffersaninsidelookatjesuitchaplains.theyofferaccountsoftheirpersonalexperiences,thespiritualdimensionsoftheirservice,theharshre-alitiesofwar,theiradmirationfortheyoungmentowhomtheyministeredandwith
whomtheysufferedimprisonment.Alsoincludedaresampleexpressionsofappreciationof
extraordinarycourageandsingularcommitmentofindividualJesuitsthatmeritedforsomany
welldeservedcitationsandawards.
38 | in their own words
chapter 4 | to love and serve
Nowthatthecensorshiphasrelaxedalittle,IshallgiveyouabriefaccountofmywanderingsoverFrance.
IleftNewYorkonMaysecond,ontheBrit-ishIndiasteamerLeistershire.ThefleetoffifteentroopshipswereallBritish,carryingaboutthirtythousandtroops,withtheSanDiego(U.S.cruiser)asescort.AfterfifteendaysatseawesightedthenorthofIrelandandenteredLiverpoolbythenorth.Onesubmarineattackontheway.FromLiverpoolweproceededbytraintoLondonwherewewereinformedthatthechannelwasclosedtotrafficforaweek.IrestedthedayafterourarrivalinLondon,visitingWestminsterAbbey,etc.,andintendedtocallatMillHillthefollowingday.OrderscameformethatnighttoproceedimmediatelytoSouthamp-ton,whereIwouldfindasmallfaststeamertotakemetoHavre.Ofcourseitwasrough,andtoseethedestroyersracingalongonallsidesofusmadeitaveryinterestingevening.FromHavreIwasorderedtoParis,whereIranintoanairraidthefirstnight.TherewasanairraidstartingwhenIleftLondon.AfterseeingthesightsaboutParisforafewdaysIstartedforBlois.FromBloisIwasshippedtoTourstojoinmynegroes.AstherewasnoCatholicchap-laininthatcity,IwascalledtoHeadquarters,given
thesecondAviationFieldtolookafter,besidesSt.PierredesCorps,thethreeBarracksandAmericanHospital.ThisjobIhelddowntillaK.C.chaplainarrivedinaboutamonthandtookpartofthework.Itwasnotsohard,asIhadlotsoftransportationeitherfromHeadquartersorAviationField.AllIhadtodowastocallupeithergarageandIhadaCadillacatmydoorintenminutes.Youcanim-aginemydisappointmentwhenIwasdisturbedfromthisgentleman’smodeofwarfarebyorderstojointhe310
thInfantry,thenintheBritisharea,atonce.FiftypoundswasallIwasallowedtocarry.Therewassomehustlingforadayorso,gettingmyaccountsstraightenedout,andthenafterleavingalmosteverythingIhadatOurFathers’HouseinTours,IstartedforCalaisviaParis.WhenIlandedinParisoneofthoseshellsfromthatlongdistancegundropped,nottoofarawayfromthestation.Itmadequiteamessinthosecrowdedstreets,butasIwasexpectingtoseelotsofsuchexcitementinafewdays,Ididnotdelaylong.TheshellswerethendroppingonPariseverytwentyminutes.FromCalaisIwenttoBolognetoseeanotherbigairraid,andfinallyfoundmyregimentnearSt.Pol.FromSt.PoltheregimentmovedupbackofArras,aratherquietfront,exceptfornightairraids.FinallyIgotorderstoprepare(wethoughtforItaly).Aftertwodaysandtwonightsinfreightcarswelanded
fatherdaniellynchwastheonlynewenglandprovincejesuittoserveinbothworldwariandworldwarii.forhisoutstandingserviceinworldwarihewasawardedthepurpleheartaswellasthecroixdeguerrefromthefrenchgovernmentforheroic
serviceduringseveralsuccessivehoursunderheavyfire.Thisletteraboutsomeof
hisexperiencesinWorldWarIisincludedheresinceitcapturesthespiritthatcharacterized
hislaterserviceinWorldWarII.
fighting in france
InTheirOwnWords
39 | in their own words
chapter 4 | to love and serve
neartheSwissborder.Afteraweek’srestthetroopsmovedupbackoftheSt.MihielSectorandwerestationedbehindtheMarinesnearLimey.Ofcourseitrainedallthetime.Theroadswereinafrightfulcondition.Allonecouldseefromthelightofthecannonswaswreckedtransports,deadhorsesandmenfallingfromexhaustion.Wehadallkindsofsurprises,wonderingwhetherbridgesweregoingtoblowupbefore,orafter,orwhilewewerecross-ingthem.Wehadnotreallygotintoaction.Thewholeskyinfrontofuswasjustablazewithrocketsandflaresandallkindsoflight.Wedidn’tknowthenwherethatwas,butweknewthingswouldbemoreplaininafewhours,asweweregoingrightthroughthatline.TheMarineskeptaheadofustillwereachedThiaucourt,wherewerelievedthemunderthebiggunsofMetz.AfewkilosbeyondThi-aucourttheGermansmadeastand.Welostabouteighthundredmen.HereIburiedaboutonehun-dredandthirtyofourboysinsightoftheGermanlinesandundercontinuousshellfire.Iamabouttowritetothegoodmotherofone.Sheknewfromhislettershomehewasveryclosetome,servingmyMasseverymorningwhenpossible.ItaughthimatSt.Peter’s(JerseyCity)andburiedhimunderterrificshellfire.Afterthreeandonehalfweeksofsuchexcitementtheregimentwaspulledbackforarest,beingrelievedbythe256thRegiment.ThedaybeforeweretiredIsaidMassinthewoodsbecauseitwaspouringrain,andGermanaeroplanescouldnotseeus.TheGermansshelledussomadlywhentheysawusretiringthatitwasimpossibletogetmychaplain’skit,andmaybeitisthereyetorsome-whereinGermany.
Ihadtakenadvantageofaverycloudyday-infactitwasraining-tosayMassforoneofourbat-talionsandtwodetachmentsofmachinegunnersinthewoodsnorthofThiaucourt.OnaccountofnumerousGermanplanes,whichwerequicktosignalforheavyshellingonanyspotwhenthey
observedmengatheredtogether,wewerenotabletosayMass,exceptincrowdeddugouts,forovertwoweeks.
AfterMassandCommunionforovertwohundred,IhurriedupthelinetobringCommun-iontothemenonduty.WhenIreturnedthenextday,ourmenhadbeenshelledoutofthewoodsandleftmychaplain’skitbehind.Iinquiredeverywhereofourmenandoftheotherdivisionwhooccupiedthewoodssomedayslater,butnotraceofthekitcouldbefound.Iwascalledtothewoodsatabouttwelveo’clockthenightoftheshellingtoattendtothedeadandthewounded,butinconfusionforgottolookupmykit.WemovedthatweektotheArgonne,andIhaveneverheardanythingofmychaplain’soutfitsince.DivisionHeadquartersthensecuredanotherkitformefromtheKnightsofColumbus.
Well,wewentbackforagoodrestandtogetreplacementstofillupourranks.Thisgoodlongrestlastedjustonenightintherainwhenwestart-edfortheArgonneForests.Herewewentthrough,foroveramonth,someofthemostdesperatefight-ingofthewholewar.WehadthecelebratedPrus-sianGuardsagainstus,andtheyweretheretodie,allwithmachineguns.Whenourmenwoulddrivethemoutoftheirmachinegunnests,theywouldcomearoundourrightflankandsetthemselvesinourrear.Thisfactalsomadetheveryfrontlineassafeasanywhere.HowIevercameoutaliveisduetotheprayersofmydearonesandfriends.IcertainlyneverexpectedtoseetheU.S.A.again.Therewasnothingtodo,butwaittoseejustwhatshellorbombormachinegunwastohavethehonorofdoingthejob.
Finallyonthelastbigdrivewebrokethisline,andtheretreatstartedthatendedinthearmistice.
Daniel J. Lynch, S.J. Lieut. Chaplain10
10 Daniel J. Lynch, “Letter from France,” Woodstock Letters, 48, 285-288.
40 | in their own words
chapter 4 | to love and serve
FatherO’CallahanwasthebravestmanIeverknew.AJesuitandaninstructorinmath-ematicsandphilosophy,hewasaLieuten-
antCommanderandSeniorChaplainontheUSS Franklin,abigaircraftcarrierthatIwascommand-ingonMarch19,1945,about50MilesoffthecoastofJapan.
Notlongafterdawnthatmorning,whilewewerelaunchingaircraft,theFranklinwashitwithtwoheavybombsbyaskilledJapanesedivebomber.Bothbombspenetratedtothehangardeck,killingeveryoneinside.Theplanesontheflightdeckwerebouncedintotheairandcamedowninapile,theirchurningpropellerschoppingintogastanksandspillingabout17,000gallonsoffuel.Thegasolinevaporwentoffwithatremendousblastandwewereonfirefromstemtosternonthreedecks.
Forfourinterminablehoursblastafterblastrockedtheship.Allinteriorcommunicationsweredestroyed,firemainswerecut,allpowerwaslost.
Frommypositiononthebridge,itseemedthatwhereverIlookedIcouldseeafamiliarbattlehelmetwithawhitecrosspaintedonit.Mynaviga-tor,CommanderStephenJurika,didn’toverstatethecasewhenhewroteinhislog:“O’Callahanwaseverywhere,leadingmen,officiatingatlastrites,manninghosesanddoingtheworkof10men.”
Thousand-poundbombskeptgoingofflikefirecrackersatafestival.Themenwouldscurryaway,onlytomeetthepadrecharginginaftermoreofthewounded.Timeandagaintheyfollowedhim.
TherearetwinturretsforeandaftoftheFranklin’sbridge–ammunition-handlingroomsforfive-inchanti-aircraftguns.Inmid-morningtheaftoneblewupintheworstblastyet.
Ilookedattheforwardturret.Visibleheatfumeswerecomingoutofthetophatch,indicatingitmightbenexttoblow.Icalledtoagroupofmenondecktotakeahoseinsideandcoolitdown.Theydidn’tunderstandbutO’Callahandid.Herecruitedtwootherofficersandthethreeofthemwentdownintothatoven-hotholewithasmallemergencyhose,knowingthatitmightblowsky-highanyinstant. AfewminuteslaterO’Callahan’ssmoke-grimedfacegrinnedupatmefromthehatchashemadetheOKsignwithhisfingers.Thenheandtheothertwoofficerspassedouttheammo,stillblisteringhot,toawaitinglineofmenwhotosseditover-board.Ibreathedasighofrelief.Ifthatturrethadgoneliketheotherone,theshipprobablywouldhavebeenabandonedandlost. IrecommendedChaplainO’CallahanfortheCongressionalMedalofHonor,anditwas
todayisthreedaysbeforethe14thanniversaryofpearlharbor,whichremindsmethatsomedaysooni’llbestaringatamoviescreenandrelivinganothernavaltragedy–the
mostunforgettabledayofmylife.There,inthemidstofaseaborneholocaust,Iwillseea
widegrintoppedbyahelmetwithawhitecross.ThatwillbesomeoneactinglikeJosephTimo-
thyO’Callahan,andhemaydoitwell,buthe’llnevermatchtheoriginal.
the bravest man i ever knew
InTheirOwnWords
41 | in their own words
chapter 4 | to love and serve
approved.ThePresidenthimselfpresentedthemedal,theonlysimilarawardtoachaplainsincetheNavy’sMedalofHonorwascreatedin1861.
IamnotaCatholic.IhavebeenaskedwhyIrecommendedtheCongressionalMedalforO’CallahanandonlyNavyCrossesforthetwooffic-erswhoaccompaniedhimintothejawsofdeath.Toasea-goingprofessionaltheanswerisobvious.Theothertwomenwerelineofficers.Itwasnot“aboveandbeyondthecallofduty”forthemtorisktheirlivestosavetheship.Butitwasnopartofthechaplain’sdutytohelpcarrythathoseintoadark,hotandexplosiveturret.Hejustwent. IntheafternoonanotherJapplanesprayeduswithbullets.Thepadre,ondeck,didn’tevenlookup.“Whydidn’tyouduck?Ishouted.Hegrinnedandyelledback:“Godwon’tletmegountilHe’sready.”Maybethatexplainedeverything. Wegotatowlateinthedayandmanagedtooutlivethenight.BymorningwehadpartofourpoweragainandmanagedtolimpbacktoPearlHarbor,theworst-damagedNavyshipevertoreachport.With432deadandmorethan1,000wounded,ourswasthegreatestcasualtylistinNavyhistory. AllthewaybackChaplainO’Callahanwasthelifeoftheparty.Hehelpedorganizeabandwith
dishpansandtubsandhewroteparodiesoffamiliarsongstokeeptheboysinhumor.TheJewishladsaboard,whohadnochaplainoftheirownfaith,gottiredofhearingtheIrishboastabouttheirpadre. “He’sourpadre,too,”oneofthemdeclared.“Toushe’sRabbiJoe,youjerks.”Thestorygotaround.Yearslater,IreceivedanotefromO’Callahansigned,“YoursinChrist,RabbiJoe.” Now,adecadeafterthedisaster,ColumbiaStudiosinHollywoodisworkingonafilm,Battle Stations,basedontheFranklin’stravailandontheheroismofChaplainO’Callahan,who’llhaveafictitiousnameinthemovie. He’sbackatHolyCrossCollegeinWorcester,Massachusetts,wherehetaughtbeforethewar.Threeyearsofgeneralcombatserviceoncarriersdidn’thelphishealthany.Ihearhehassufferedastrokeandisnowasemi-invalidalthoughhehopestoteachagainsoon.Hisspiritsarestillhigh,I’mtold.Theywouldbe.IprayGodisn’treadytolethimgoforalongtimetocome.
Rear Admiral Leslie E. Gehres, USN (Ret.)11
11 Leslie E. Gehres, “…The Bravest Man I ever Knew,” The American Weekly. (December 1955).
42 | in their own words
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Yes,welivedabarbaric,cruelandoftenbestialexistence.Butwelivedalifewhichboundeachuntotheotherandwesharedthepainandsuf-
feringofimprisonmentunderourruthlessJapanesecaptorswiththesamecommunityfeelingwithwhichwearenowsharingourfreedomundertheArmyof-ficersandmenwhoarealmosttookindtobereal.
IwasoneofthosefewfortunatemenwhomissedtheDeathMarch–Iwasill,tooilltowalk,andeventheJapaneseapparentlyfearedtoinfringegreatlyatthattimeontheChurch.
ButeverywherearoundmeIsawwhattheydidtoourmen.Firsttheyconfiscatedeverythingwehad–ourfewpreciousremainingvaluablesandkeepsakes,whatlittlefoodwehadsavedaside,and,yes,evenourmedicines.
Notthen,norweekslater,normonthslater,didtheyevergiveusthatmedicineweneededsobadlyforourwoundedandourdying.
Theydideverythingtheycouldtostarveus,buttheyforgotonething–theAmericanspirit.Ourboyshadthatfromthestarttothefinishandtheyabsolute-lyrefusedtolettheJapanesecrushthatspirit.
Deliberately,inthefirstdays,theydidalltheycouldtoconfuseus.Therewerefrequentmoves,disquietingreportswhichtheycirculatedofwhatour
leadersweredoing,propagandaabouthowAmericawasabouttosurrender.
Itachievedthemnogoodexcepttocreateanevendeeperdistrustanddislike.
Ourdeathtollatfirstwasstaggering.IntheearlydaysatCampCabanatuan,secondonlytotheterriblescenesatCampO’Donnellforsavageadministration,oursoldiersweredyingattherateoffiftyaday.
Then,inlateNovemberof1942,weweregivenourfirstRedCrossparcels–parcelswithfood,medi-cine,cigarettesandevensomereadingmatterwhichtheenemytroopsletpass.
Nothingwasreceivedinallthetimewewereimprisonedthatdidsomuchtoliftourmorale,toin-creaseourconfidenceandtocutourdeathrate.Thatmedicinemeantthedifferencebetweenlifeanddeathformanyscoresofourmen.
Alltheofficers,chaplainsanddoctorshadtodomanuallaborinthefieldseveryday,workingfromdawntodusk.
Ourjobsrangedfromcleaninglatrinestofarm-ingandwoodchopping.AndthosewhofailedtomeetthescheduletheJapanesehadsetwerebeatenandsometimesexecuted.
I’veseenmorethanoneAmericanbeatentodeathbecausehelackedboththestrengthandthewillto
icantellthewholestoryofmycomradesduringthesepastthreeyearsinafew
simplewords. Thosewordsarethese–theyprovedthemselvesrealAmericans;Americans
withhonesty,courage,Godlinessandfinecommonsense;Americanswhoneverfaltered
andwhomayhavefeared,butweretooproudtoadmitit.ManyofthemfoundGodindeath;
othersfoundtheirGodwithmeinthesimpleservicewewereallowedtoholdinourrude
littleprisonchapel.
the american spirit
InTheirOwnWords
43 | in their own words
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keepuptheback-breakingphysicallaborsourcap-torsdemanded.Certainmemorablehighlightsstandoutinthosethreeyearswewereincaptivity,butnotmany.Intime,ofteninaveryshorttime,thesheerweightoflivingbecomessoheavyyoustrivetoleteachdaypasswithaslittlenoticeaspossible,exceptforathankfulprayerthatyouarestillalive.
Icouldtelloftensandtensofthousandsofter-riblethingswesawandheard,oflittleeventswhichwemagnifiedsomuchatthetime,butwhichseemsosmalltousnow,ofmoreofthatsametypeofcamara-derieImentionedbefore.
Butfortunately,whilethehardshipsofthoseyearswillalwaysremain,somewheredeepwithinus,it’sthebrighterthingsweliketoremember.
Forexample,thewonderfulkindnessofalltheFilipinoswhowillinglysacrificedtheirlivesandfree-domtobringusgiftsoffoodormedicine.
Icannotfindwordstopraisetoohighlytheirunselfishness,theirloyaltyandtheirfriendshipforuswhenwewererepresentativesofwhatseemedtoeveryonebutthemandus,agreatlostcause.
Icangivethetimerightdowntotheminutewhenourcaptorsknewthatourcausewasnotalostone.Itwas10:30a.m.onSept.21oflastyear.Wewereworkinginthefieldswhenthathopeflewpasthighaboveus–intheformofatleast150carrier-basedplanes.
Weshouldhavebeenbeatentodeathhadweshowedtheleastoutwardsignsofhappiness,butyoucanimaginewhatjoyfulnessseethedwithin.
Thatmoment,Ithink,weallknewbetterthaneverbeforethattheAmericanswereonthewaybacktousforsure.
Itwasanunforgettabledayinallourlives.IliketorecallChristmasEveof1942,also–an
eveningwhichwillliveinmymindasoneofthegreatexperiencesofallmyimprisonment.
Wesecuredpermissionfromtheprisonauthori-tiestoholdChristmasservicesinthefieldsnearCabanatuan.Allthechurchesandalldenominationswererepresentedinthatpicturesquesettingand6,000Americansoldierscametothatsingleserviceofbelief.
IamsureGodlookeddownonusthatnightandtodayIamequallysurethatHeansweredourprayers.
Ofcourse,Tuesdaynight,Jan.30,wasournightofredemptionandthere’llneverbeanotherquitelikeitforanyofus.
IfallAmericansarepouringintothiswarthesameeffortsthose120Rangersgave,individuallyandcollectively,torescueusfromalmostcertaindeath,thenIknowwhywearewinningthiswar.
Theydidanabsolutelyherculeantaskwithtrulybeautifulteamwork.
Youjustcan’tputintowordswhatyourheartfeelswhenfreedom–thelastthingyouhavelearnedtoexpectafterthreeyearsofprison–issuddenlyyours.
Whatperhapsmadeitmostrealistictomewasthattwofriends–Lieut.JohnMurphyofSpringfield,Mass.,andLieutenantO’ConnellofBoston–wereamongthefirsttorecognizemeandtellmeitwasnotadream,butreality.
ThenIknewthateventhoughtherewasalongmarchaheadofus,homelayattheendoftheroad.
OurGovernmentcannotrewardtoohighlyColonelMucciandhisRangersforwhattheydid.
IwanttosayonceagainthatthemoraleofourmenthenightweleftCabanatuanwasthesamestrong,unflinchingmoralethey’dshowedthroughout,andIwanttosayagainhowproudtheymakemefeeltobeanAmerican.
HowdoIfeelaboutthisnewfreedom?It’slikewalkinginanewandwonderfulworld.
Captain John J. Dugan, S.J., U. S. Army Chaplain12
12 John J. Dugan, “Cabanatuan Prison Camp,” Woodstock Letters, 74, 154-157.
44 | in their own words
chapter 4 | to love and serve
ThewindsareblowingabitbutnothingofconsequencetodisturbmeduringtheMass.Men,hundredsofthem,standinthethree
laneslookingatthealtar–atthewarshipsbehindthekingmast#2justaheadofthekingmastalongsidethegunnelsoftheinvasionships.AstrangesettingforHolyMassbutonethatispleasingtoOurLordandthatthemenwillnotforget.Oneregret–thecelebranthastokeepasilenttongueinhisheadwhenhehadsomuchtosay;anunex-pectedandmostuntimelyattackoflaryngitishittheChaplain,firsteverofitskind.Printedadopesheettofamiliarizemenwithsomenecessarypoints.GaveGeneralAbsolution.
Lieut.Starkweather,leaderoffifteenComman-dos,takenaboardatthelastminute.Theyaretocutthesubnetuptheriverwherewearetoland.HetellsmethattheFifthColumnistsofourshavebeendoingtheirworkinMoroccoforalongtime.
JustbeforeheleftWashingtononthistrip,hesaidgoodbyetoanofficerwhotoldhimthathewouldmeethimonthedockinMorocco.
Lieut.StarkweathersentoneofhisComman-dos,ErnestJ.Gentile,tomewithofferstohelpmeinanywaythathecould.Laterintheafternoon
hevisitedmyroom.Hetoldmetheirjobistocutthenetsilentlyforpassageupofadestroyer;theyhaverubberboatswithpaddlesonboard.Hopetotakechargeofthenettenderswithoutresortingtobloodshed.
Whydidhesignupforthisvolunteerwork?“ItoldmywifethatIwouldgiveeverythingI’vegot;thiswasachancetogive.Willbedoingourbittobringthewartoacloseinahurry.
I’dhatetothinkthatmytwolittlegirlswouldhavetoliveinaworldruledbyHitlerandhisgang.That’swhyIsignedup.”
Calmlyhespokeofhisambitionsandideals,thelongpreparationsmadeforthisraid,howheusedtoreadaboutsuchthingsinbooksasaboy,withouteverdreamingthathewouldtakepartinonesomeday.
monday, october 26, 1942. Today,ourfourthdayatsea,isfairlyroughfor
landlubbers.Yet,Mr.Kreutzer,2ndDivisionOfficer,assertsthatthisamountstonothing.Hewascross-ingthePacificonce,whenhisfreightertriedtoclimbawallofwaterthreetimesandslidbackthreetimes.Yetitisroughenoughforusstrangersto
sunday,october25,1942–feastofchristtheking.0530–Generalquarters.Massonboat
deckaftat0630,halfanhourbeforesunrise.Thealtarissetagainsttheshieldofthe#16and
#18mmAAguns,withcrewsmanningthem.Portsideaftofboatdeck,asIturnaroundtostart
theMass,thefullmoonissettinginthewest,abitpaleafteritslongtrip,lookingasthoughit
neededarest.Straycloudsdriftalongslowly,keepingcompanywiththemoontomakesurethat
shewillnotbelonely.Theyarejustahandfulwhoapparentlydetachedthemselvesfromtheir
brothersandsistersandwentontheirown.Theothershavegonetopartsunknown.
journey to morocco
InTheirOwnWords
45 | in their own words
chapter 4 | to love and serve
thesea.Lastnightinmybunk,Ismackedmyheadagainsttheportsidebulkheadastheshiprolledwayover.
OutondeckaftercelebratingMasswithadozenmenreceivingHolyCommunion,asfarastheeyecansee,whitehorsesareontherampage.Oneoftheshipsbehindisreallypitching.Herkeelisvis-ibletenfeetbelowthewaterlineassherisesuponthehugewaves.
1200 –Anewconvoyoffourshipsjoinus,thebattlewagonMassachusetts,twoheavycruis-ers,andatanker.Theyflankourstarboardsideoftheconvoy,slidingalongslowly,theirhorsepowercutdowntokeepcompanywithusfellowswhoaremakingonly15knots.
Lieut.RobbinsoftheArmystopsmeonthewayoutfromthewardroom.Wondersifitwouldbepossibleformetomailamessagetohiswifeafterhisoutfitleavestheship.“JustincaseIamploughedunder,”hesays,“Iwouldlikehertohavealastword,fromme.”Hespeaksquietlyofhislittlegirlfourmonthsoldwhomhehopesthathewillseeagain.Hewillwritealettertoheralso.Buthisproblem,“WhatifIwrite,yetnothinghappensandImanagetobeoneofthesurvivorsoftheinitialattack?”Heremarksthathewillwrestlewiththeproblemforawhile,thenletmeknowhisdecision.Heisayoungfellow,well-educated,whospeaksinsofttones;yetthroughthosetonesrunsthequietdeterminationthatmustmakehimagoodofficerforhismen.Idon’tliketothinkofhimlying,acrumpledpieceofhumanity,ontheFrenchMo-roccoshore.He,likealltheothersaboardourship,hassomuchtolivefor.MayGodbringthembacksafelytotheirownsomeday.
2000–IgolookingforChaplainTepper,aJewishRabbi,toobtainoneoftheharmonicasthathebroughtaboard.Oneofhissoldierswantstomakethenightloudwithmusic.Beforeleavinghepresentedmewithoneofthepocketknivesthat
willbegivenastokensoffriendshiptothenativeMoroccans.Brightlycoloredblanketsandclotharealsoamongthegoodwillofferingsthatmakeupapartofourstrangecargo.
2200–Igotothechartroomdirectlybehindthebridgeanddiscoverwhatourcoursehasbeen.FirstwesaileddirectlysouthuntilwewerenorthofBermuda,eastofCharleston,SC,thenwesaileddirectlyeast,thennorth,theneastagainuntilatthishourweareabout800milesdirectlyeastofBaltimore.Wedelayedtoallowtheconvoysdepart-ingafterusanopportunitytocatchup.
2230–DiscussioninthepassagewaywithLieut.GilchristandDr.Walker.Theytellmethiswillbethelargestnumberofshipsevertosailtogetherinhistory.Wehavenowpickedupthreesubsthatareridingstraightaheadofusonthesurface.Whenwestartlandingoperationstheywillhelptoformpartoftheprotectingscreenwithorderstoshootanythinginsightthatheaves.
Alsolearnfromthemthatthepasswordis“Bordeaux,”forourfriendsashore.Theyspeaktheword,thenshowtheinsideoftheirhatsonwhichthesamewordmustbewritten.PracticallyallofourfifthcolumngroundworkinNorthernAfricahasbeendonebyFreeFrenchsympathizers.
Onehourbefore“H”hourallthegovernorsofNorthernAfricawiththeexceptionofSpanishMoroccowillbehandedaletterinformingthemoftheturnofevents.Theyareexpectedtotakethecorrectdecision.
tuesday, october 27, 1942 – 5th day at sea. MassatendofGeneralQuartersasusualin
thelibrary.0730–Atbreakfastwelearnthatthenew
convoyhasarrived.Promptlywestowtherestofthetoastdownthehatch,thenmakefortheflyingbridge.Thenasight!Asfarastheeyecansee,shipsofallsorts,shapesandsizes.Aircraft
46 | in their own words
chapter 4 | to love and serve
carriers,battlewagons–threemoreofthem;25moretransports,innumerabledestroyersandSPs,heavycruisers,allrollingintheheavysea.Itisanimpressive,awe-inspiringsight,onethatneverdoestiretheeyes.Suddenly,theformationsareshifting.Weslackenourspeed,theycrossourbowataslightangle;wepickupspeedandmoveouttotheirport-side.Ourtwomiddlelanesofshipsmoveintothemiddleoftheirlineupandourstarboardlineshootsfarouttoformthestarboardcolumnoftheentireconvoy.Again,thesightismostimpressive.Asfarastheeyecansee,ineverydirection,shipsareploughingaheadwhileourwatchdogsnowsteamalongsideofus;thenturnback.Thentheyshootinbetweenustonailanysubfoolishenoughtotrytododamagewithinthecolumns.
0815–QuartersCommanderIrwininformsusthatwemustallbeinoculatedagainsttyphusnowforthosegermshavenorespectforgoldbraid.
HetellsusthatNovember7isthe“H”day;thatinthisconvoyhecounted49shipsandthengaveup.“Businessismeantonthistripandwemustdoourpart;wewilldoit,soletnoofficerconsideritbeneathhisdignitytograbalinethatneedsattentionwhenweareengagedintheunloadingoperations.”
TothesoldiersaletterfromGeneralGeorgePattonisreadinwhichthereasonsforthisexpedi-tionareoutlined.Atthecloseoftheletterhewrites:“Theeyesoftheworldarewatchingyou,theheartofAmericabeatsforyou,God’sblessingiswithyou.”
friday, october 30, 1942 – 8th day at sea. Todayafairlysmoothsearunningafterthe
heavyweatherofthelasttwodays.Takingadvan-tageofthechange,threeplanesfromthefourcarri-ersasternofusputoffandgolongrangescoutingoverhead.Beforelongtheirreportscomebacktoourshipindirectly–fourGermansubmarines25milesdirectlyahead.Immediately,westrikeofftostarboardonanewcoursetoavoidthosewhowouldatleasttrytodetainus,ifnotpermanentlydetachusandasmanyaspossiblefromourconvoy.
1030–IcontinueinstructionsinthefaithwithWashingtonMessAttendant.Myquestionis“WhoisGod?”Heanswers:“Godisabeingwhoisinfi-nitelyperfect,”andIaskhim:“Whatdoyoumeanbyinfinitelyperfect?”Andhereplies”“Nothingnobetter.”
TheonecarrierthathasbeenwithussincetheseconddayofthetriphasherflattopjammedwithArmyplanes.TheywilllandafterthecaptureoftheairportatPortLyauteybeforetheystartwingingtheirwayeasttobattletheGermanLuftwaffe.
SpendmostofthisdaylayingthekeelforSun-day’ssermonwhenthemenwillbeatMassprobablyforthelasttimefor“H”houris2400,midnightSat-urday.ItishopedthatallgoodFrenchmenandnativeMoroccanswillbesleepingthesleepofthejust.
BeforeretiringIstepoutontheflyingbridge.Adestroyerisonly50yardsoffourportbeam,huggingclosetokeepoffthosefoursubssightedearlier.
saturday, october 31, 1942 – 9th day at sea. Igotopsideafterbreakfast.Faroffonthehori-
zonthetankersarefeedingtheirblackgoldtothecruisersanddestroyers.Wehavesloweddownto
“ What if I write, yet nothing happens and I manage to be one of the survivors of the initial attack?” He remarks that he will wrestle with the problem for a while, then let me know his decision. He is a young fellow, well-educated, who speaks in soft tones; yet through those tones runs the quiet determination that must make him a good officer for his men.
47 | in their own words
chapter 4 | to love and serve
eightknotstokeeptheconvoytogetherduringthisfuelingatseaoperation.Usingtheglassesofoneofthelookouts,Icount73shipswithinsight.Thereareothers,howmanyIdonotknow,makinguptherestofourarmada.
Aftertheheavyweatherofthelastthreedays,wefindtheseasmooth-surfacedthismorning.Theplanesoffthefourcarriersasternalsofinallyhaveanotheropportunitytogoalofttoscouthundredsofmilesafarforournaturalenemies.
0900–Atthishourweweresupposedtohaveemergencydrills.At0930,thetweet,tweet,tweet,etc.ofthepublicaddresssystemsendsustoGen-eralQuarters,forwardbystarboardandaftbyport.
Contactwithasubismadebyadestroyeroffportsideaft.Ourshipshiverstwiceastwodepthchargesaredroppedovertheside.Wesitinthesickbay,ourbattlestation,andagaintheshipshiversasonemorecanisletgoattheonewhowoulddareapproachuswithourampleprotection.
IntheJuniorOfficer’sWardroomthiseveningwewerelisteningtothebroadcastoftheWiscon-sin-OhioStatefootballgamewithTedHusingannouncing.Itsoundedstrangetohearhimsay:“Ihopeyou’reenjoyingthisgameasmuchaswearenomatterwhereyoumaybelisteningtoit!”
Wewere,atthetime,sittinginpracticaldark-nesswithilluminationprovidedbyjustonesmallbluebattlelight,for“DarkenShip”hadgoneintoeffecttwohourspreviously.Weweregettingaheadofthefolksbackhomeontimewitheverypassingday.Eventuallywewouldbesixhoursaheadofthem.
Thiseveningthreedepthchargesmakethingsuncomfortableforsubsthatdaredventuretooclosetous.
Ourshipisafloatingarsenal.Ifsheishit,thereportwillbethatshe“disintegrated.”
sunday, november 1, 1942 – feast of all saints and 23rd sunday after pentecost.
0650–MassattheendofGeneralQuarters;about350inattendance,125Communions,amostedifyingsight.Verywindy.Godispleasedwithourprimitivesurroundings.Overheadisthebluecanopyofthesky.Wehavenowallsbrokenbystainedglasswindows,juststernsandbows;weboastnomarbleinlaidfloor,justawoodendeck;noflutedcolumnssoaringaloftandcarryingontheirshoulderstonsofmasonryandsteel;onlyastrongkingpostadornedwithcablesandpulleysandlinesthatarewhistlinginthewind.
0900–GeneralService.About200there,includingMajorDilley.IspeakofJesusChristandloyaltytoHim,theneedforamantoexaminethefoundationsofhislifeatthiscrucialtime.
0330–Intheafternoon,Benedictionontheboatdeckaft;thefirstwithmyBenedictionkit.Rosary;full-throatedresponsebyCatholicmenmostinspiring.Altarisplacedagainstthesideofoneoftheinvasionboats.TotheleftisanAAstation;menmanningitovertheside.Starboardareshipsofourconvoy,allsteamingsouthawayfromthewesternsunthatisslantingitsraysonus.Threehymns:MotherDear,OhPrayforMe;HolyGodWePraiseThyName;TantumErgo.Unforget-table–menremarkitlater!
JackBennett,NotreDameboy,15006FenwayAvenue,Lakewood,OhioservesmyMass.Heisoneofthesoldiersaboardship.HesaysthathegetsmoreofathrilloutofservingmyMassontheboatdeckaft,flushagainstthesideofaninvasionboatorupagainstanAAgunmountshieldthanhedidthetimesheservedinCathedrals.
friday, november 6, 1942. Shipvibratesviolently;fourdepthcharges
droppedbydestroyeraheadofus.Latertremendousoilslickfloatsbyourstarboardside.
48 | in their own words
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“WallaceBeery”Johnson,memberofNavalCommandoNetParty,weight225,infectioussmile,gentleasakitten,poundsoutagoodtuneonthepiano,hisfavorite–IndianLoveCallbyVictorHerbert.
saturday, november 7, 1942. Massatdawn;about50received.Ourplanesare
flyinginformationoverus.THEDAY!Mengivemeletterstomail“justincasetheyarekilled;”givememoneytoholdforthemortosendhome.
0900–Soldierondecksingingashemakeshiswayaft–“GiveMyRegardstoOldBroadway.”
0330–BenedictionandRosary;300present.
saturday night, november 7, 1942.2200–Jaggedlightningbehindwhatappear
tobehillsinthedistance.2400Midnight–PatrolBoat–ifitfires,
“Blastheroutofthewater.”WealsopassedaPortu-gueseshiplastnightbrightlyilluminated.Shedidnotseeus;ifshehad,shewouldhavebeensunkafterherpassengersweretakenoff.IgiveoutViaticumtotheCatholicmeninthelibraryafterhearingconfessions.
0045–Topside,inkyblackness;can’tevenseemyhandinfrontofme.Twoclustersoflightashore;boatsgoingovertheside.
Istandbysilentlyandblessthemenastheystarttheirbattleoperation.ThePresidentspeaksfourhoursbeforeweland.
0230–MassinlibrarywithJackBurkepresent.0315–Topside.Cmdr.Irwinisdirectingtraffic
onthebridge.0330–Teaandtoast.0500–FiveFrenchships,merchant-men,pass
rightaheadofus,blue,red,green;FoudrayanteDo-hremyunmistakablypaintedonthesides.
0545–Lieut.Starkweathersendsupredclusterthatshowsthenethasbeenbrokenandthatthe
destroyerU.S.S.Dallascangouptherivertothefortandthenontotheairport.
0605–Tremendousbarrageofredhotsteellaiddownonthebeach.Brokenarcofreddashesagainsttheblackvelvetofthenightsky.
Dawn.Acloudyday.Lieut.Hailereturnstotheshipandremarksthatthefirstthreewavesgotashorewithoutdifficulty.CommandoNetPartyreturnstoship;netnotbroken.Searchlightpickedthemup–crossfireofmachinegunsnailedpartydownhelp-lessly.
0740–Shorebatteriesopenfireonusalone;wearethebiggestofeightshipswithallinvasionboatsclusteredarounduslikeahenwithchicks–eightnearmisses.Wheeeeeeeeee–thentremendousgeysers;oneshellrightovertheforecastle.Wecouldfollowthecourseoftheshellscomingfromthefortonthecrestofthehill.
0800–“EnemyBombersOverhead!”fromEx-ecutiveOfficer.
0805–U.S.S.PennsylvaniaAAgunsfire–twopuffs–planeaflame,plungesintoocean,disinte-grates.
0815–U.S.S.SavannahandU.S.S.Texaspourtonsofsteelintothefort.Ammunitiondumpashoreapillarofsmoke.
0945–Threecasualties;twoserious–Lieut.McCrackinandKolfenbach,aCatholictowhomIadministertheLastSacramentswhenhewasdyingafterbeingontheoperatingtablefortwohours.Fourbulletsdrilledhim;strafedbyplanesashisboathitforthebeach.“AllhandstoGeneralQuarters;enemysubmarinesightedoffstarboardbeam.”
1230–Insickbay.Depthchargesrockingshipduringoperationsonwounded.Wemaneuverwildlytoescapesubs.
1330–Wehavecommandoftheairwithourplanescruisinginformationoverus.Topside,heavyfiringshorewardandseaward.Radiomantellsmelastreport.“Co.Freportsthatitiscompletelysurroundedbytheenemy.”
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1630–Sixmorecasualties;threeambulatory.Lieut.StarkweatherofNetPartyreportsthat
“wewerespottedimmediatelyandcaughtinsearch-lights,witheringcrossfireofmachineguns,bothjetties,andthenwehadtorunforitasthefortlaiditonusalso.”
Youngsailorswhowouldn’twearlifejacketsoncenowallwearthem;wouldn’twearhelmetseither.“Enemybombersoverhead”curedthem.Strange,evenatthatannouncement,howonecouldbesocool,standwatchingthem,andgotobedat2015andsleepthroughaquietnight.
monday, november 9, 1942. Aroseat0700.MassattendedbyCommando
Partyingratitudefortheirsafereturn.Dayisabitcloudy;“rainysunshine.”Wemovecloser,withinfourmilesofbeach.Tremendoussurfcrashingonthejetties,shiprollsontheswell.Fifteenmorewounded.Wemovewithinonemileofthebeach.Picturesquesummercolonyoflightbrowncottageswithred-tiledroofs.Onthisbeachourmenlandedyesterdaymorning.
Fourmendumpedoutofboatasshewasbeinghoistedin;dangerousbutnobodyisinjured,fortu-nately.Onemanwoundedinarm;wasduckedonceonbeach,thenagainashewasbeingliftedintotheship.
Twenty-threeAmericanbombersflyoverus.Lastnighttwodestroyerspourhotmetaloverthehillsatsomeobjectivewhichwecannotsee;arcofredhotdashesformiles.
Boat#5spillsbeingliftedupwithonewoundedmanwhogetsducked.Inboardguyloose.FivedumpedwhenPenntankershitsandbar,thensurfupended,nosedheroverwithmenintank.
Reportonradio:“FiercefightingnorthofCasaBlanca.”“That’sus,”saysPerkins,E.M.1/c.
sick bay cases: 1. Machinegunnedbyplanebefore hittingbeach.2. Machinegunnedonshore.3. Shrapnelcases.4. Concussion–JackBennett.5. Manblindedinwhosefacegunexploded.6. Crushedbyboatsagainstsideofship.7. Crushedbyboatbroachedonthebeach.8. U.S.S.Penn:Sevendrownedintankin
boatnosedoverbysurf-heavyswell.
Onemanabout26wasquietlysobbingtohim-self.“IfIcanhelpyou,I’dbegladoftheprivilege.What’sthetrouble?”“Nothing,sir.”Afterawhile,hesaidthathewenttopiecesunderthegunfire,machinegunplanestrafingandcoastartilleryandmencrum-blingoneverysideofhim.
1000–CommandoNetPartytriesagain.IgiveCatholicsViaticum;sixofthem.
1015–Theyshove–portsideaft–pitchdarkdownthelandingnet.Justbeforetheygo,“Kneeldown,men.”BenedictioDei,etc.“Maythebless-ingofAlmightyGod,Father,SonandHolyGhostdescenduponyouandremainforever.MayHebewithyouinyourmissionandbringyoubacksafely.”
tuesday, november 10, 1942.Therewasaknockonmydoorat0400.Three
menoftheParty,Chiefandtwoothers.“Well,Padre,wemadeit.”Congratulationsandthenthestory.Ranoutoffuelfirst,camebackatmidnighttotheship,thenstartedinagain,blackascoal.Tremendoussurf.Gotbythejetties,beingcarrieddowntheriver.NoColonelHennyonthedockofthefishcanneryasexpected.Suddenlysweptontothenet;rocketgunscutsteelcablesoneinchthick–onecut,currentforcedmostofcableout;thencut
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theotherandbothofthetwodoriesateitherendofthemsweptouttoseaandtheysweptoutafterthem,rakedbymachinegunfirefromnestssouthofthefortandby75mmfromnearthefort;shellabout18feetlongandeightinchesindiameter.Green,thebowhook;Southernyoungster.“Didyoueveroperateamachinegunbefore?”“No,sir,butahsureoperatedthisone!”(Quiet,soft-spoken,yettoshave.)Courageandbraveryoftheseboysunderfire–don’tworryaboutAmericanyouth,oneandallofthem.Surf30feethighonwayout.Boatabout30feetlongpointedbowrideuptothecrestandthendropasifgoingoveracliff.Lieut.Starkweatherlift-edupbodily,flungnosefirstonthedeck–sprainedankle,smashedfingers.RiverOuedSebou.“Wouldratherfacehellofmachinegunfirethanthatsurfagain.”Afraid–allofthemgrownmenbutgotusedtoitafterawhile.
0700–DestroyerDallasgoesuptheriver48hourslatewith80Rangerstotaketheairfield.
1030–Sevencasualtiesbroughtalongside;fourbroughtaboardwhenGeneralQuarterswassound-ed.FirstAidstationwassetuponthebeach,thencarriedout,ferriedtousonshipintanklighter.Threeleftbehindinlighteraswegotunderwayonsubalarm.
IstayedwithaLutheranwhoremarked:“Isurewouldappreciateaprayer.”Hehadbeenwoundedbyshrapnelinthearmbadly,intheforehead,onthelefteyebrow,lefthip,leftleginfrontandrightcalf.“SweetJesus,mercy.IofferupthissufferingforyouinunionwithyoursufferingsonCalvaryformysins,formybuddieswoundedandlyingashorewithoutprotectionorattention.”
1345–JustmetLieut.Gilchristoutsidemydoor.Hewasinthetanklighterthatcapsizedyesterday300yardsfromshore,in30feetofwater,nosedoverby30feetofsurf.Foursoldiersintanktrappedanddrowned,sunknotlikeastonebutlikewhatshewas–atank.
1350–EndofGeneralQuarters.1430–Divebombers,threeofthem,circled
overtargetonhill,thenleveledoff,cameinandblasted;thenTexasonnorthandCruiseronsouthpouredintheirsalvosofshellfire.
1500–TugpullsalongsidewithtwoFrench-men;nameoftug–Moumein.TwofamilymensaidthatGermanstookthemtoDakar.Theyjumpedofftheshipandswamashore.FrenchthinktheyarefightingtheEnglish.Tookbothofthemtowardroomforcoffee.Theyaskedformilkforthechildren.Loadedthemwithfoodandtheirtugwithsuppliesformenashore.
Situationashore:Airporttakentodayat1200.OurP40sland;fivenoseover.AMajor,oneofourpatients,wastheonlyoneseriouslyhurt.
Thisafternooncasualtiesstartedtoflowbacktous;losefirstman,Huffstutler,fromabulletwoundinstomach.
AProtestantcarriedoverhisheartacopyoftheGospelaccordingtoMark,smallcopy–bulletcutthroughitandpictureofhisgirlandleftonlyablackandbluebruise.“Supplyyourownexplanation,Father.”
1800–Dinnerinwardroom,radioturnedon.EnglishmanbroadcastingfromBerlinremarkedthatMediaBeachhadbeencaptured.Firstmentionofusatallbyanycommentator.OranandTangiersfelllastnight,Monday.
2000–ExecutiveOfficerinformsmethattheCaptaindesiresburialofsoldierwhodiedthiseveningtobedoneashoretomorrowmorning.
wednesday, november 11, 1942.0900–Igoashoreinsupportboatwithbody
ofHuffstutler.Twomachinegunsoneithersideandcasesfor48rockets,4lbsofTNT,rackssixoneithersidewithfourslotsoneach.
Wehugthesouthjettyonthenorthernside.Swirlingcurrentandsurfabouttenfeethigh.
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Seetragicremindersofinexperienceofcoxswainswiththisshore;overturnedlightersneartherocks.Riverrunsparallelwithoceanafterasharpturn.
WehitBrownBeachandasIstepashoreonAfricansoilforthefirsttimeIraisemyhandinblessing.Theentrancetothefortisjustoffthenarrowcatwalk.Offtotheleftisthehousewheretemporaryheadquarterhavebeensetup.IinformthedoctorpresentofmymissionandamdirectedtoBlueBeachwhereacemeteryisbeingbuilt.OnthewayupIseetheroadwaylinedwithbodiesofAmericansandMoroccans.DirectlyoverheadarethefrowningwallsoftheoldsandstoneMoroccanfortressthatourmentookbystormyesterday.AfteramileandahalfrideinanarmyjeepImetDr.Cassedy,ouryoungdoctor,whowentashorewiththemedicaldetachmentSundaymorning.Heishappytoseemeandallhiscorpsmensingouta“Hello,Father!”Theyareworkinglikeslavestak-ingcareoftheAmerican,FrenchandMoroccanwounded.Ahospitalhasbeenimprovisedofalargesummerresidence.Twentybedshavebeensetupandtherethewoundedarebeingattendedto.IgivetheLastRitestotwobadlyhitFrenchmenwhowilldie.
MehdiaPlageitselfisapicturesquelittlesum-merresortof154housesbyactualcount.Frenchloveofcolorinevidence–buff,cream-coloredwalls,blueblinds,redandgreentiledroofs.
IamtoldthatArmyChaplainTepper,theJewishRabbi,forwhomIamsearchingisupatthecemeteryjustoverthebrowofthehillbehindthetown.OnthewayupIseethreewomenandaclusterofhalfadozenchildrenaboutfourandfiveyearsold.ItellConwaythebuglerandthesoldieraccompanyingmetowaitforaminutewhileIgodownandidentifymyselfasaCatholicpriestandgivethemsomemedalsofOurLadyandtheLittleFlower.TheeyesofthemotherslightupatthementionofSt.TheresedeLisieux.
Passgabledhouse–sevengablesandcone-shapedroof,alongasandroad,down,thenupaslightincline,aturntotheleftthroughtheshortcedars,whereanAmericanflagidentifiestheloca-tionofsevenAmericanbodies.ThereisasailorfromtheAnthonyCooperwhoisawaitingburial.Hewaskilledwhenhistanklightercapsizedandhisheadstrucktheside.
ChaplainTepperisnowdownatthefortIamtold,soIstartdownfortheMehdiaPlageagainandreceivearideuptothefortthereandmeetTepperwhoisdirectingthecollectingofthebodies.Thefortwasaformidablemilitaryinstallation,asteepprecipiceononesideandthreeslopesleadinguptoitontheotherside,pittedwithfoxholesandtrenches.Flankingitsapproachesarelargeconcretesquarehouseswithhalfadozencompartments.Thesepresentedanobstacletoassaultersthatwascostly,asthecorpsesstiff,cold,andfrozeninthegrotesquepositionsoftheirdeathagonytestified.
Whatahideous,repulsivecountenancewarhas.Ittearsthehearttoseethetragedyofyoungfacesupturnedtothesky,staringwithglazedeyesmean-inglessatthesun.
Whenhalfadozenbodieshadbeencollectedinadditiontomytwoboys–sailorandsoldier,Istartedtheserviceataboutoneo’clockjustoutsidetheeastendofthefortbyaMoslemcemetery.Alongthesouthwallwerelinedthebodies.Alongtheeastwallthegraveswerebeingdugby50oddArabprisoners.Theystopped,flankedmeontheright,with50ofoursoldiersonmyleft,thebugleronmyrear.
IreadourprayersoverthemafterthesoldiersandArabsandafewFrenchhavesnappedtoat-tentionwhentheorderwasgiventhem,“MaytheAngelsleadtheeintoParadise,maytheMartyrsreceivetheeatthycoming,etc.”NevershallIforgetthecircumstancesunderwhichIconductedthatfu-neralservice.Overheadtheblueskywascloudless,
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agentleMoroccanbreezestirredtheairofadaywarmwithsunshine.Atthefootofthehill,swing-ingidlyatanchor,wereoureightships,Commandoandcargo,whiletheprotectingscreenofdestroyersandpatrolcraftandthebattlewagonTexaskeptawaythemaraudersofthesea.StraightaheadstretchedawaythebroadreachesoftheAtlantic.Overtheedgeofitshorizonwascountry,home,dearones,forallofwhichtheseboysfromNewYorkandMichiganandTexashaddiedthatthefoulbreathofHitlerismmightnevercomecloseenoughtoblightthosenearanddeartothem.
Heretheseboyslieonthecrestofthishillonwhichtheygavetheirlastmeasureofdevotion.Thebuglersoundstapsandwehavepaidthemourlastrespects.“Eternalrestgrantuntotothem,OLord,andmayperpetuallightshineuponthem.Maytheirsoulsandthesoulsofallthefaithfuldepartedrestinpeace.Amen.”
ThesimplebutimpressiveceremonyisoverandtheArabsgobacktotheirtaskofdiggingthegraves.ACatholicboywhocomesuptomeregretsthattherewasnoCatholicpriestaboardhisshiponthewayover.Ihearhisconfessionthenandthereonthehill.
Iwanderaroundthehillandtheforttogivemyblessingtomenwhosebodieshavenotyetbeenbroughtin,twelveinall.Ayoungofficer,Lieut.Sharf,isonewhoateinourwardroom;asplendidyoungJewishboywhowonderedwhenhelefttheshipatmidnightSaturdayifhewouldseehiswifebyhernextbirthdayinMay.Helaywherehefell,200yardsfromtheeastwallofthefort,dyingasheledhismenincharge.InsideoneofthesmallroomsintheglorifiedpillboxaretwoCatholicboyswhomanagedtogetinalivebutwillbebroughtoutdifferently.Theyarelyingintheirowndrycakedblood,theirheadshorriblygashed,brainofoneofthemcompletelyexposed.
Offtothewestaretwolongtrenchesprotect-ingthelineofsix5”gunsthatlobbedshellsatus
Sundaymorning.Onehadbeenblastedbyadirecthit.AtthebaseoftheotherlayaboybythenameofHastingsfromNewYorkCity.Hismother,merci-fully,willneverknowhowhelookedindeath.TooneandallofthemIgivemyblessing.ThelasthasasmallfuneralgroupasthreesailorsjoinmeinsayingprayersoveraboyfromIndiana.Atthelight-houseoneoftheLieutenantswhomwecarriedovertheoceaninformsmethathewillbegratefulifIwouldexplaintotheArabfamilyinthesquarewhitehousenexttothelighthousethattheymaystayiftheywish.Itellthem,“S’ilvousplait,restezici.”Themanofthefamilyisgratefulfortheinforma-tionandstopscartingouttheirpitifullyfewposses-sions.Theirmulethathadgiventhem,Isuppose,patientdoggedservice,isdeadalongsidetheirdoor.
ReturningdowntoBrownBeachweseemoreevidenceofthemurderousefficiencyofthedivebombingthatfinallycrushedallresistance.
IspeakwithFrenchboys16and17yearsold.TheysaythattheydidnotknowthattheywerefightingtheAmericans;theythoughttheywereEnglish–forwhomtheyhaveapparentlyonlyabitterhatredandwouldfighttotheyear2000againstthem.
1600–WereturntoBrownBeachwheretheprisonersareindustriouslyunloadingourboatsoftheirsupplies.Asquadronofdeadlytanksroaroutofthetemporarygarageonitswaytoarendezvoussomewhere.
ChaplainTepperinchargeofthepersonaleffectsofthedeadboysgivesmesomethingthattouchesmedeeply–acopyofJoyceKilmer’s“PrayerofaSoldierinFrance,”thatIhadmimeo-graphedandgaveoutatthelastSundayMassaboardship.Yes,thisdaywillbeamongoneoftheunforgettable!
UponreturningtotheshipIlearnedthattheArmisticehadbeensignedat1p.m.thismorning.ThankGodthisneedlessbloodshedisover,inatleastonesectionofabloodstainedworldinwhich
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GermansarekillingRussiansandEnglish,ItaliansandAmericans,French.
ClimbupthesideoftheshipbyJacob’sladderhandoverhandup50feetoflandingnet.Pitchdarkshiprollinginthelongswellsswingsusoutawayfromthesideandthenintoit.
thursday, november 12, 1942. Unloadingofshipcontinues.Ivisitthewounded
intheirstaterooms;wehave65aboard.
friday, november 13, 1942. Igoashoreintheafternoontovisitthe
AmericanwoundedintheFrenchhospitalinPortLyautey.IstepashoreatBrownBeach,arrangefortransferofallwounded–60dayconvalescentcases,begarideinanArmyjeeptothetownoverthecrestofahill.ThetownstandsoutdazzlingwhiteinitsAfricancolonialsettingagainstthewhitegreenofthesurroundinghills.Atitsentrancesoldierguardschallengeus.IidentifymyselfandmymissiontothetwosoldierswhorecognizemeasofftheClymer;recentlytheyweretwoofthepassengers.Offdownthelongpavedhighwayflankedwithquainthousesofvaryingdesign–somemodernistic,square-boxed,cream-coloredwalls,blueblinds,yellowroofs.Iguessthattheyare,orrathermostofthebuildingsarewhitetolessentheheatoftheMoroccansun.InthehospitalIgreettwoofourboysbadlywounded;onewilldie,theotherwillliveminushisleftforearm.Igiveoutcigarettes–worththeirweightingold,chocolatebars,andapples;peoplehavehadaleantimetheselastfewyears.
OnthewaybacktoBrownBeachinthejeep,IespyMajorDilleyoftheArmy.Wehaveahappyreunionforafewminutes.Whenwelastheardofhim,hewasshyingawayfromshrapnelthrownbyaFrenchshell.Itwasgoodtoseehimsafeandsoundaftersomanywounded.Heinformedmethat74Americanswerekilled,about700French-
menandMoroccans.Theirfirepowercouldnotmatchourrifles,morerounds,grenades,machineguns,artillery,etc.
saturday, november 14, 1942.SperryoftheCommandoPartypresentsmewithabeautifulpictureofthefort.Ishallalwaystreas-urethistangibleevidenceoftheirthoughtfulness.ItwillalsohelptofreezeinmymemorythespotwhereIcounted58crosseslastevening.
Lieut.MarkStarkweather,3174165thStreet,Cleveland,Ohio(hispermanentaddress)findsthathehasabrokenheelasanothersouvenirofhistripuptherivertobreakthenet.
sunday, november 15, 1942. Althoughweweresupposedtostartoutfor
seayesterdayafternoon,wedidn’tpullupthehookuntil0630thismorning.
0715–Mass.EndofGeneralQuarters.“Wherearewegoing?”isthequestiononeverybody’slips.CasaBlancaistheanswertothequestion;again,onlyaguessbutagoodoneforourshiphasonlyone-thirdofhercargounloadedanditwouldseemtheheightorthedepthofinefficiencyforustocarrybackagainallthismostimportantmaterial.
1210–WesighttheElectrasinking.Shewasoneofourgroupwhich,forsomestrangereason,venturedoutalonelastnightandcaughtitearlythismorning.Attwoo’clockwemakeoutontheshorelinewithwhichwehavebeenrunningparal-lelalltheway,abeautifultown–CasaBlanca,withthehillsrisingdirectlybehindit.Mostmodernindesign;apartmenthouses,cornerwindows,tenstorieshigh,creamandbuffcoloredbuildings.
AswecomeinbehindthebreakwaterweseeevidenceofthenavalstrugglethattookplacelastSunday,melancholyremindersofwhatmighthavebeenifwewereonlyfriendsfromthebeginning.
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Dr.WalkermentionsthatfourofourtransportsweresunkjustoffthisbreakwaterwhileunloadingWednesdayaftertheArmisticehadbeensigned.
Aboutonehouragojustoutsidetheharbortheseawaslitteredwithourliferaftsandsearations;tangibleevidenceofsomethingthatwashit.
TiedupalongsideofusandtheFrenchfreight-eronthesouthsideisatorpedoeddestroyerthatshippedthetinfishjustaboveherwaterline.Justtheothersideofthelittlerailroad,offourstarboard,isaFrenchdestroyerandabattleshipburnedatthewater’sedge.
SermontodayatMass.Introduction–event-fulweek,recollectionsofthingsseenandheard,impressedindeliblyonthememory.Eachmanhashisownrecollections.Mine:Saturday
Mass–Benediction,Viaticum–stories–St.Mark’sGospelcopyshot–BigOne–FuneralService–Setting.OnethingweallshareisourobligationofgratitudetoGodandremembranceofthesoulsinPurgatory.
1900–JustbackfromtheU.S.S.Hambleton,destroyertiedupalongsideofus.Itwasatorpedothatwreckedoneofherenginerooms,onefireroom,andtheelectrician’sroom,killingeighteenandwoundingsix.
Thefourshipssunk,Adam,thefireman,tellsmewereRutledge,Scott,Hughes,andBliss–alltransports.TankerWinooskithatcameacrosstheoceanwithusalsocaughttwotorpedoes.Scuttle-butthasusunloadedbytomorrownightandthensettingoutforhomeonceagain.
radio press release. Churchillannouncedyesterdaythatsubshunt-
inginpacksofftheN.W.Africacoasthadpaidaheavypricefortheirfoolhardiness;thirteenweresunkinthelastthreedays,fiveyesterday.
monday, november 16, 1942.CasaBlancaisindescribablybeautiful
inthemorningsunrise.Lieut.ElleryoftheU.S.S.Hambleton,mooredonourportsideforsteamandelectricalfacilities,inquiresifIamaCatholicpriest.WemakearrangementsforConfes-sionsat1600.IhearthemandthenIgointothemachinist’sshoptoblessthebodiesofthethreementakenoutofthegapingholeinherportsidethatwastheengineroomuntilatorpedohitherthreenightsagoatFedela,wherethetanker,theWinooski,alsocaughtitalongwiththeRutledge,theHughes,theScott,andtheBliss.
2000–A150Englishsoldiersandmerchantmarinescomeaboard.TheyweretorpedoedonSeptember12;lost2000,1400ofthemItalianprisoners,whentheirship,theLaconia,wastorpedoed.Sincethentheyhavebeeninaprison-ers’camp.Remarks:”Itwasmusictoourearstohearthenoiseofyourguns.”“Ithinkthatthismealisalladreamafterthestufftheyhavebeengivingus.”“Sir,IhavebeeninthedesertfortwoandahalfyearsbutIneverdidseesuchbeautifuldivebombingasonlastSundaymorning.”“Oneyoung-ster,PaddyKennyfromLiverpool,isonlyfifteenyearsold;shippedinthemerchantmarine.”“WeallthankGodthatweareherethisevening.”
tuesday, november 17, 1942.1300–Wecarefullynoseoutofourpocket
inCasaBlancaHarboras#23onthelistofshipsthathavebeenshovingoffallmorning.GoodbyetoCasaBlancawithoutseeingherobviousbeautyatcloserange;toodangeroustoventureashore.Hencenoleavegrantedanyone.
JustbeforeweleavetheCommandercallsmetopacifyRaymondColle,aFrenchboyof18whoissickwithanxietyaboutwhattheFrenchwilldotohimifheisputashore.HewasamemberoftheArmythatswungovertoGeneraldeGaulle.Nowthosewhodidthatarebeingshotasdesertersasquicklyastheyareapprehended.OutfittinghiminanAmericancoverallandsoldier’sjauntycapand
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puttinghimunderthespecialprotectionofLieut.Brooksquietshim.HewillproceedtoPortLyauteywherehewilljoinupwiththedeGaulliststhere.
ImeetMajorCreedon,oneofourguests,andfindthatwehaveacommonfriendinFr.WebbofWoodstock,Englandfame.
SomeEnglishweresavedaftertheirship,theLaconia,wastorpedoed.Theywouldsailbyday;thenatnightthesubwouldinsistontowingthembacktothespottheyhadleftinordertobepickedupbytheFrenchcruiserwhichthesubhadcontact-ed.MenaboardherwhohailedtheLimeysspokeperfectEnglish.OnoneoccasiontheyhadtoputfourItaliansovertheside.“Itwasacaseofeitherthemorus.”Subapparentlysawtheoperation,camealongside,challengedthemaboutit,admis-sion;theGermanremarks;“Goodwork,afterall,theywereonlyItalians.”
NextanItaliansubcontactedthemandaskediftheyhadanyItaliansaboardtheirshipwhenshewashit.“Yes;theyareaftaboutfivemiles.”“Thankyou;doyouneedanything?”“Couldusesomewater.”Gavethemsixbottlesofwaterandsameamountofverygoodwine.Theironyofthisgesture!
TheLaconialost1800soulswhenshewentdowninabouttwentyminuteseventhoughshewasabout18,000grosstons.
wednesday, november 18, 1942.Whendaybreakcomeswearewellonourway
outtoseawithlandnolongervisible.OursmallconvoyofeightshipsfindsitsnumberincreasedintheafternoonwhenthreehugeArmytransportsloomuponthehorizon,headeddirectlyforus.TheyareformerGraceLiners,Uruguay,ArgentinaandBrazil;eachabout25,000tonsandusedexclu-sivelyfortransportingtroops,unlikeourselveswhoarecombatships.
thursday and friday, november 19 and 20, 1942.
Seaisabitchoppy.
saturday, november 21, 1942. Seareallybeginstokickupafterfuellingofde-
stroyers,oneoneithersideoftanker.Duringthisevolutionweslowdowntoaboutfiveknotsperhour.
sunday, november 22, 1942.0650–MassinJuniorOfficers’Wardroom;
crowdedwithabout70present.1000–GeneralServiceinNCOMess.Largest
attendancesinceIcameontheship.Wearegrow-ing.TwothefirstSundaytotalnumberofnon-Cath-olics,thenfive,noweighty.IgavethemaCatholicsermonwithouttheword“Catholic.”
1530–RosaryandBenediction.IamsureOurLadyispleasedwiththemixtureofScotch,Irish,CockneyandYankeedialectsmakinganswertothefirstpartofherHailMary.
Oceanreallyboisterous,infactboilingtoday,whippedbya20milewindthatwepushupto35byourspeed.Shroudsareconstantlymoaning;everythingissecurelylashedbothinsideandontheweatherdecks.
Seaisalivewithwhitecapsandwavesthatrisetoacrestof30oddfeet.Foamlashedoffthetopsbythewindformingrainbowsoneverysideofus.Suddenlyathree-deckerrainbowcolorstheskyinthewestwherewecouldseearainsquallashortwhileago.
Shipsoneverysiderollingandpitchingviolently.Chenago,aircraftcarrier,takingwateronthenoseofherflightdeck;tankershippingwaterregularly.We,Iimagine,areliketheshipinfrontofus.Whenherbowplungesdown,hersternriseshighandthepropeller,apparentlyangryatbe-ingliftedoutofherelement,lashesoutblindlyfor
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theseathatwouldn’tstayaltogetherwithherandwhitesprayisthrownfivefeetonallsides.
Thepiece-de-resistanceisfurnishedbytheChaplainatdinner.Wehadbeenslidingalittlebitinourchairswhichwerenotlashedtothedeck.Wheneverwefeltamovecoming,weheldontothetableuntiltherollstopped,butforthisonetherewasnowarning.Dr.HarrisaskedtheChaplainforthebread.TheChaplainhadjustfinishedputtingapieceofwhiteturkeyinhismouth.WiththeotherhandhepickedupthedishofbreadtopassittoDr.Walkerwhohadrequestedit.Then,theroll.Weslidtotheportside,threefeet,myselfandthetailman,thenalongrideoffifteenfeettothestarboard.AllhadgrabbedsomethingbythistimeexcepttheChaplain.Isetsailagainfortheportside,holdingoutaloadeddishofbreadinonehandtryingtomakeasale,andarmedwithaforkintheother.“LookattheChaplain,”IheardasIwentsailingbythecustomers!Thenmyridewasover.
thursday, november 26, 1941 – thanksgiving day, u. s. s. george clymer.
Thanksgivingatsea.CatholicMassat0700.Standingroomonly.Congregation–Yanks,English,Irish,Scotch.
1000–GeneralService.Congregationthesame;standingroomonly.
Dinner.Roughsealikeastreetonawindydaywhenthesnowisfalling,streaksofsnowevery-where,notevenablanket.Streaksoffoam;comb-ersbreakingalloverthefaceoftheocean.SpraywhippedoffthecrestslashesmeinthefaceasIlookoverthestarboardside.Fortywinks.Visittothewounded.Instructionstotwopotentialconverts.
Sermon”“Today,men,isThanksgivingDay.ThismorningwearegatheredtogetherheretotakepartinaserviceofgratitudetoAlmightyGodfortheblessingsHehasbestoweduponus.
“AlthoughatfirstsightitmayseemthatouthereontheAtlantic,1100milesfromhome,our
littleserviceisslightandinconsequentialbutthatisnotthecase.Itwouldbeifwewerealonebutwearenot.Byprayer,thestrongestofbonds,weareunitedtocountlessotherservicesbeingheldallovertheglobe,athomeandabroad. “Athomeinourowncountry,thememoryofThanksgivingisbeingrenewedineverysection.ThedayhasbeenconsecratedtoprayerbyourPresident.Sointhemajesticcathedralsandmod-estchurchesbackhome,ourmothersandfathers,brothersandsisters,wivesandsweetheartsandfriendsareraisingtheirvoicesinsongandprayersofThanksgiving.Perhapstheyareworrying,wonderinghowwearefaring,littledreamingthattheirferventprayershavestoodusingoodstead.
“Abroad,whereverAmericansoldiersaresta-tioned,onshipsofourNavyatsea,divineservicesarebeingheld.Forthefirsttimeinhistory,Thanks-givingceremoniesarebeingconductedinWest-minsterAbbeywithanAmericanChaplainpresid-ing.Aboardship,wetoorenderhomagetoGodandjoinwithallthoseserviceseverywhere.OurprayersdonotascendtothewhitethroneofGodassingle,isolatedfragmentsbutaspartofamightyhostofprayer,wellingupfromhundredsofthousandsofheartsallovertheworldinThanksgiving.
“AsoneoftheOfficersremarkedthismorning,‘Weindeedhavemuchtobethankfulfor.’Theper-sonalblessingsthatGodhasconferreduponus,wealoneknowtheirnumber.WhattheyareisasacredsecretbetweenusandourCreator,butwedoknowthatdeepdowninthesanctuaryofourheartswherewewalkalonewithGod,wherenomantreadswith-outintruding,thattheprotectingarmofGodwasnotforeshortened.OneandallofuscanlookbackuponmomentswhenwewereintimatelyawarethatGodwaswithus,momentseitheroftheremoteoroftherecentpast–asrecentlyastwomonthsagoortwoweeksago.
“Someamongyounowlisteningtothesoundofmyvoicelookeddeathinthefaceforsixharrow-
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ingdaysandfivenightsinsmalllifeboatsonshark-infestedwaters.Deathstaredatyouandpassedyouby–forothers.OthersamongusapparentlyhadarendezvouswiththeirlasthourwhenlandinguponMehdiaBeachandafterlandinguponit.Yetdeathstaredatthem,too,andpassedthemby–forothers.
“ThoseofusleftaboardshipknowthatwewereenvelopedbyGod’sprotection.Itwasthereforalltoseeit.Shellswhinedaftofus,overus,andoffourfoc’stle.Theyfellallaroundusfromcoastalguns.Yetnotonehititstarget.
“Nowgoback,foramoment,tothathistoricdaywhenwesteamedoutofHamptonRoadsonourwayatlasttoopenupthemuch-heraldedsecondfront.Ifanymanhadventuredtopredictthatwewouldreturnhomewithourshipintact,exceptforthelossofafewboats,andmorewonder-fulbyfar,withourcrewunharmed,hewouldhavebeenlabeled”crazy”forignoringthepercentagesofmodernwarfare.Yethereweare–shipandpersonnelintact.
“Thesamecannotbesaidofothershipsandtheirpersonnel.IfImaybepardonedforinjectingapersonalnote,Iburiedsailorsfromotherships.IhaveconductedfuneralsbeforeasanordainedambassadorofGodbutnevershallIforgettheserviceonthetopofthehillnexttoFortMehdia.TheArmisticehadbeensignedafewhoursbefore.Anumberofbodieswerehastilycollected.Ifacedthem,thelongrowofthem.BeyondthemIcouldseeourshipandhersisterspeacefullyswingingatanchoroutonthebroadAtlantic.Thetimewasoneo’clock.Thedaywasbeautifulwithaclear,blueskyoverheadandwarmwithMoroccansunshine.Onmyright,50Arabprisonersofwarwhohadbeendiggingthegraves.Onmyleft,ourown
Americanboys–comradesofthefallen.Theage-oldprayersforthedead,alwaysmovingintheirsimplicitybegan:
May the Angels receive you into Paradise; May the Martyrs take thee at thy coming;May thou, with the once poor Lazarus, have rest everlasting.
I am the Resurrection and the Life. He who believeth in me, even though He be dead, shall live, And everyone who liveth and believeth in me, Shall not die forever.
Eternal rest grant to them, O Lord,And may perpetual light shine upon them.May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, Through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
“Tapsweresoundedandwhenthelastnotehaddiedaway,thefinalblessingwasgiventoourheroicdead.TheylieburiedonthecrestofthathilllookingoutoverthebroadreachesoftherestlessAtlantic,towardcountry,home,friends,andthosenearanddeartothemforwhomtheygavethelastfullmeasureofdevotion.God,wemaybesure,ismindfuloftheirsacrifice.Heismindful,too,ofthehonoreddeadofourallies,soldiers,sailors,andmembersofthemerchantmarine.Wepausetopaythemallourmeedoftributeandremembertheminourprayerswhereprayerscountmost,atGod’saltar.
“InthewordsofScripture,‘Theyhadgirdedthemselves,theywerevaliantmen,theywerereadyagainstthemorning–theyhadfoughtthegoodfight,theyhadfinishedtheircourse,theykeptthefaith.’
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“Whatofus?Wemustmakecertainthatwe,too,havegirdedourselveswiththedoublebondofloyaltytoGodandtocountrythatwemaybevaliantmeninthedischargeofourdutytoboth,thatwemaybereadyagainstthemorningwhenthewhitetremendousdaybreakofeternitydawnsforus.Wemustalsobendeveryefforttofightthegoodfight,tofinishourcourse,tokeepthefaith.Then,andonlythen,arewemakingthebestpossiblereturntoAlmightyGodfortheblessingsandfavorsthatHehasshowereduponus.Hewillknowthatourthanksgivingisnotanempty,hollowphrase,butasincere,honestexpressionofgratitudethatrises
straightfromheartsofmenwhoselivesarealivingconfirmationofwhattheyprofesswiththeirlips.”
monday, november 30, 1942HOME,NORFOLK,VA.!!!Minusfourships
thatwentEastwithus–theyarenowfiledinDavyJones’slocker.Thankyou,Lord,forbringingussafelybackagain.We,indeed,havemuchtothankyoufor!Thankyou,Lord,again,forasafe7000mileroundtrip.
John P. Foley, S.J.Lieutenant Commander, USN 13
13 John P. Foley, World War II typescript diary, 1942 – 1945. Archives of the Society of Jesus of New England,College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA.
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FatherShanahan,anativeofWaterburyandamemberoftheclassof1918atHolyCrossCollege,originallyreportedwoundedinthe
bombingofManila,actuallywentaschaplainoftheship“Mactan”bearingthewoundedfromthePhilippinestoAustralia.OntheeveofthefallofManila,GeneralDouglasMacArthur,Commander-in-ChiefoftheAmericanandFilipinoforcesinthePhilippines,wasveryanxioustoevacuateallthemenwoundedduringthecourseofthewarupuntilthatdate.Despitegreatdifficultiesthiswasfinallyaccomplished.Theinterislandsteamship“Mactan”wasconvertedintoaRedCrossship.AnumberofdoctorsandnurseswereassembledandthewoundedtransferredlateontheeveofNewYear’sDay.Atthelastmomentitwasdiscoveredthatnochaplainhadbeenappointed.
ThispartofthestoryhasbeensuppliedbythefourFilipinonurseswhoareatpresentinNewYork,havingcomeallthewaywiththewoundedmenfromAustralia.Theywereamongthenursessenttothe“Mactan”totakecareofthewoundedinthecourseofthevoyagetoAustralia.Whenitwasdiscoveredthatnochaplainhadbeenobtained,itseemsthatFatherShanahan’snamewassuggestedbyeveryonewhowasconsulted.Accordingtothenurses,hehadbeenveryactiveduringthebomb-ingofManila,especiallyintheportareawherethe
bombingwasmostintense,andhisnamewaswellknowntothemilitarypersonnelespeciallyoftheMedicalCorps.Hewasaccordinglyaskedtoaccompanythe“Mactan”aschaplain.Heactuallyhadaboutfiveminutes’preparationforthejourney,justlongenoughtocallFatherHurley,hissuperior,andobtainhispermissiontoleave.
WhenthetripwasoverandthewoundedhadbeentakencareofinAustralia,FatherShanahancon-sultedtheJesuitVice-ProvincialinMelbournewithregardtohisfutureduties.Itwasagreedbet-weenthemthatFatherShanahanshouldmakeapplica-tiontobecomearegulararmychaplain.Thishedid.Theregulationpapersweremadeout.WhenGeneralMacArthurarrivedinAustraliahefoundagreatdealofdeskworkawaitinghim.Somenewcommissionshadbeenhelduppendinghisapproval.Ingoingthroughthemhefoundtheregularformmadeoutbutwaitinghissignature,commissioningFatherShanahanasfirstlieutenantinthearmyoftheUnitedStates.GeneralMacArthurreadthenameandtheninquired,“Isn’tthistheFatherShanahanwhowaschaplainofthe‘Mactan’?”Onbeingassuredthathewasthesameman,GeneralMacArthurcrossedoutthewords“FirstLieutenant”onthecommissionandsaid,“MakeFatherShanahanacaptain.”
The Catholic News,December5,194214
thestoryofasignalhonorbestowedbygeneralmacarthuruponfatherthomas
shanahan,s.j.,wasrelatedrecentlytotheMostRev.JohnF.O’Hara,C.S.C.,MilitaryDelegate
fortheArmyandNavyVicariate,byachaplainwhohadjustarrivedfromAustralia.
14 “MacArthur Honors Jesuit,” Woodstock Letters, 71, 91–93.
battlefield promotion
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poeminmemoryofdarwin’sdeadOn Darwin’s shore our bodies lie,And o’er our graves the soft winds sigh, And whisper through the star-filled night, The story of the silver blightThat struck us from a wing-blacked sky.
But death will never break the tie That binds us all – we did not die To idly gaze from some great height On Darwin’s shore.
Know ye who guard the slopes nearby – Know ye who overhead still fly –Till victory, with you we fight, And not till then, will bid good-bye On Darwin’s shore.
AdaptedfromThe Catholic News,August1,1942
15
TheCourier-MailofBrisbane,Australia,reproducedapoemoftributetoDarwin’sdead,writtenbyFatherAnthonyG.Carroll,
S.J.,U.S.Armychaplain,andreadbyhimatamemorialserviceto
fallenmenatanadvancedAlliedbase.FatherCarrollservedasaprofessorofchemistryatBostonCollege,ChestnutHill,Mass.,priortoenteringtheservice.
duringthesecondworldwar,thejapaneseflew64raidsondarwinand33raidsonothertargetsinnorthernaustralia.Fromthefirstraidon19February1942untilthelaston12November1943,Australiaanditsallieslostabout900people.
15 Anthony G. Carroll, “Poem in Memory of Darwin’s Dead,” Woodstock Letters, 71, 345.
darwin’s dead
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Sometimeswesawnativegangsworkingun-derthesurveillanceofAustralians.Onceinawhile,anativefamilywouldcomeoutofthe
jungle:Daddystridingaheadwithhisspearandhis“Marys”strungoutbehindhim,carryingthechil-drenandhouseholdluggage.ButthebaseitselfwaslargelypopulatedbyArmyservicetroops:ordnance,signal,quartermaster.
Undertropicalsunorinthedeepmudoftherainyseason,theystruggledtoemptyhugecratesofequipmentfromtheStates:generators,refrig-erators,switchboards,artillery,ammunition,food,trucks,ambulances,jeeps,weaponscarriers,motorizedfieldkitchens,ducks,tanksandbulldoz-ers.ThesewereassembledforshipmenttothecombatareaswhereGen.DouglasMacArthur’sarmiesweresuccessfullycarryingouttheirisland-hoppingstrategies.
Attheheightofitsactivities,therewereup-wardsofahundredthousandmenonthebase.AlmostallofthemwouldhavegivenanythingtobeoutoftheArmyandbackhomewheretheywouldbefreetopickupthepiecesofaneducationoracareer,freetowalkdowntownwithoutapassordriveacarwithoutatrip-ticket,freetotakethegirl
towhomtheywrotepoignantlettersoutforaneveningandfreetodoastheypleasedratherthanwhatthesergeantordered.Ofcourse,theyalsowantedtobeoutofNewGuinea–awayforeverfrompalmtreesandjunglerotandpestilentialinsects,fromceaseless,enervatingheatandcascadingdownpoursofrain.
Undersuchconditions,itwasuptothechap-laintobemorethanajovial,back-slappingmoraleofficer.Somehowhehadtocounselandexemplifypatienceandfortitude.Hehadtoinjectmeaningintothisbafflingenigmacalledwar.SowhenIsetaboutbuildingachapel,Igavethoughttoitssym-bolism.IknewthatasmuchasanythingImightsaywithinit,thechapel’sshape,sizeandfurnish-ingscouldbecountedontocreateanattitude.
Thebuilding,therefore,wasfan-shapedsothatthemensatinahalf-circlewiththeirattentionfo-cusedonthealtar.Nopostsblockedtheirvisionorimpededtheirawarenessofoneanotherasmutualwitnessestotheirfaithandcollaboratingworshi-persoftheircommonFather.AnaltartablemadefromNewGuineamahoganywassupportedbytwobrass90-millimetershellcasesthatrestedinturnona500poundblockalsooflocalmahogany.Both
in1944iwasamilitarychaplainatfinschhafen,newguinea,whereateemingarmy
basestretchedforsome15milesalongthecoast.Onbothsidesofthesingleroad,built
outofcoralbyArmyengineers,wereacresoftents,messhalls,headquarters,shops,offices
andahospital.Everytimeasix-by-sixtruckrolledbyduringthedryseason,itchurnedclouds
ofwhitedustintofoodandbedding.The33rdDivisionwasbivouackedthere,waitingforthe
wordtomoveonBiak,HalmaheraandthePhilippines.TherewasalsoaNavybasefor
PTboatsandalandingstripfortheAirCorps.
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theArmyandNewGuineaweretherebysymbolizedbythistableofsacrifice.
Candlesticks,shapedoutofbrassshimstock,boretheemblemoftheOrdnanceDepartmenttowhichthemenofthisoutfitbelonged.Themis-salstandwasmadeofheavy-gaugebrasswirewithahammerandawrench,typicalOrdnancetools,workedintoitsbackandcrossedsoastobecometheChi-Rhosymbol.Theholywaterstoup,fash-ionedfromashellcase,hadasprinklerwithahandleofNewGuineamahoganyandaheadofArmybrass.
Thethuriblewasatriumphofresourcefulingenuity–aperforatedjeepcylinderswingingfrombicyclechains.WhentheOrdnancemen,whoworkedonenginesandcalledthemselvesgrease-monkeys,sawandsmelledthefragrantsmokerisinginworshipfromthiscommonplaceitemoftheireverydaylives,theybegantounderstandthattheMasswasnotaspectacletheywatched,butanactioninwhichtheycouldhaveapart.
Thetabernacle,measuring16by16inches,suggestedthetroops’pyramidaltents,whichwere16by16feet.Itwascoveredwithaveilresemblingatent-flysothattheymightrememberthat“theWordbecamefleshandpitchedHistentamongus.”
LookingdownonthissanctuaryandtheseworshiperswasthecrucifiedChrist,carvedfromrosewoodbyanon-professionalbuttalentedcorporal.Thefigureonthecrosswasrobedandcrowned–areminderthatGoodFridaywasfol-lowedbyEaster,andsothedisciplesofChristmayconfidentlylookforwardtorestafterlabor,joyaftersorrow.Sincethecanopywaslinedwithredsilktakenfromsalvageparachutes,thesanctu-ary,illuminatedby“sealed-beam”jeepheadlights,wassuffusedinred---thecolorofblood,oflife,ofdevotedlove.
TheliturgywasstillinLatininthosedays,soIintroducedanEnglish“DialogueMass,”butit
turnedouttobeaclumsyandunsatisfyingar-rangement.WhenIgreetedthecongregationwith“Dominusvobiscum,”theleadershouted,“TheLordbewithyou,”andthecongregation’sresponsewasdirectedtohim,nottome.Butitwouldhavebeenprecipitousatthattime,whenliturgicalcon-siderationswerechieflyrubricalandrubricshadalmosttheauthorityoftheTenCommandments,tocelebratefacingthepeople.Itwouldhavegottenmeareputationasanextremist,evenafaddist,andintheclimateofthateraitmighthavetheledthecongregationtothinkthattheexternalconductofworshipismoreimportantthantheinteriordispositionsonebringstoit.
Wehadonlyafewweeksinwhichtoenjoyourchapelbeforethebattalionwasalertedformove-ment.However,theC.O.orderedthatthealtaranditsappurtenancesbecratedandtakenwithus.Then,althoughwewereservicetroopsthathadneverexpectedtoseecombat,wehitthePhilippinebeachatLingayenwherewedugfoxholesandhuddledunderenemyartilleryfire.Somedayslater,whenaRegimentalCombatTeamhadpushedtheJapanesebacktoBaguioandtheareahadbeensecured,weretrievedourgear.
Butwemovedsoofteninthefollowingmonthsthatitwasimpossibletogivethealtarevenatemporaryhome.WhenthepeacetreatywasatlastsignedaboardtheMissouri,CardinalFrancisJ.Spellman,theMilitaryVicar,cametoManila,andwith6,500troopsparticipating,heofferedaMassofthanksgivingonouraltarsetupinRizalStadi-um.ThenthealtarwascratedonceagainandmadethelongjourneythroughthePanamaCanaltoNewYorkandthentoBostonCollege.Forawhile,itservedasasmallchapel,butthemountingenroll-mentspromptedbythe“G.I.Bill”calledforaltera-tionsthatdisplacedthechapel.
Nowadays,thealtaristhepermanentcenter-pieceoftheWorldWarIIdisplayintheU.S.ArmyChaplains’MuseumatFortMonmouthinNew
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Jersey,anhour’sdrivefromNewYorkCity.Thisagingchaplainwouldliketothinkthatthemenwholaboreddevotedlytobuildandadornthataltargoonoccasiontothemuseumtoseeit.Wherearetheynow,hewonders:BillGraham,TipMaher,BobHauser,ClarenceStaudenmayer,BobCar-racher,SteveBrennan,ChrisSpicuzza,LenStack,TomJones,JohnnyMangiaracina,SammyShapiro,JimmyScannell,LeoSpinelli,TonyGalluci,BenGorski…?Wherevertheyare,whateveraltarstheygatheraboutnow,maythememoryofthosedaysandoftheirdedicatedeffortstoprovideaworthysettingfortheirencounterswiththeMostHighsustainandcomfortthem.
ButwhathappenedtotheNewGuineachapelitself?ThelastthingIsawonthatmorningafterChristmasin1944,whenwelefttheareainafranticrushfortheshiptakingustotheLuzoninvasion,wasthesteeppitchofthechapelroof.Intheyearsthatfollowed,Iwonderedifitwerestillstanding.Coulditpossiblyhavesurvivedthetermitesandthetyphoonsofmorethan40tropicalyears?Perhapsafterweleft,theAussiesmadeitintoapub.Maybethenativepeopleuseditfortheirsing-sings.Orperhaps,itsimplycollapsedonenightwhenthehighwindsblew.
Onedaythisspring,IlookeddownfromanAirNiugini727onthegray-greenhillsaroundNewGuinea’sPortMoresbyandfeltagainthetwingeofdistastemixedwithapprehensionthatthisislandhadalwaysinspiredinme.Ihadneverbeenabletobanishthefeelingthattherewassomethingsinisterinthatatmosphere,somethinginvisiblymalevolenttowardthosewhowerenotchildrenofthejungle.
Iremembered,too,themiseriesoftheSalamauacampaignandthoughtIcouldpickoutthethreadoftheKokodaTrailalongtheOwenStanleyRange,oneofthehighestmountainrangesintheworld.In1942,theJapanese,havinglandedatBunaontheeastcoast,swarmedupthattrailanddowntheothersideuntiltheyalmostreachedPort
MoresbyfromwhichtheywouldhavehadaclearshotatAustralia.Butthe32ndAmericanDivision,awork-horsedivisionfromWisconsin,andthe7thAustralianDivisionhadlandedandattackedtheJapanesehead-on.Theypushedthemup,up,up,overthetopagain,anddown,down,downbackintoBuna.
Accordingtolegend,Gen.RobertL.Eichel-berger,commandingthe32nd,thenwiredtoGeneralMacArthur:“IcanspitinBuna,butIcan’ttakeit.”MacArthurissaidtohavewiredback:“Youwilltakeit,orleaveyourbody.”Hetookit,ofcourse,butthepricewasenormous:thousandsdeadorwounded.Thesurvivorsenduredmalaria,denguefever,scrubtyphus,dysentery,psychologicalexhaustionandcold---theyhadleftPortMoresbyintropicaluni-formsbutneededwinterclothingatthesummitoftherange.Fromapurelymilitarystandpoint,itwasoneofthefinestexploitsofthewar.WeshouldneverhaveheardtheendofitifithadbeendonebytheMarines.Butthehumancostoverpowerstheimagination.IrememberPopePaulVIpleadingbe-foretheUnitedNationsGeneralAssemblyin1965:“Jamaispluslaguérre,jamaisencore!”(“Nomorewar!Warneveragain!”)
AstheplanecameinfortheFinschhafenlanding,Ipeeredintentlyattheemptyharborandthesilentlandscape.Iwaslookingforsomething,anything,familiar.TheyhadtoldmethatbecauseFinschhafenwasamalarialarea,ithadnotbeendevelopedasMoresby,Laeandotherprovincialcentershadbeen.So,Ihadguessed,theplacewouldlookprettymuchasitdidwhenIlastsawit.
WhenwesetoutfromtheLutheranMissionHospital,however,Icouldrecognizeonlyonefea-ture---thatsingleroadalongthecoast,builtofcoralbyourengineersandnowsomewhatmacadamized.Dr.Hershey,theAmericanvolunteerphysicianatthehospital,hadgenerouslyloanedushiscar.Ihadtodriveontheleftanduseastick-shiftinsteadoftheautomatictransmissionthathasbecomemore
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familiarinrecentyears.Butitdidn’tmatter;wemetalmostnotraffic.
WedippedintothehollowwhereBaseHeadquartershadbeen,butsawonlythickunder-brushandmaturepalmtrees.ThenwereachedthelevelstretchwhereIwassurethe900menoftheNinthOrdnanceBattalionhadhadtheirtentsandshops.Thismustbetheplace.ThiswaswhereIwouldfindmychapel.Buttherewasnothing,notevenabitofoldmetalrustingawayunderthegen-tlywavingfrondsofjunglevegetation.Isupposethenativepeoplehadcarriedawaywhatevertheycoulduseafterweleft,andanythingelsesimplydisintegrated.
Westoppedtoexploreabitasbestwecouldun-derthefiercemiddaysun---howhadweeverdonesuchheavyworkinsuchaclimate?---butIcouldnotidentifywithcertaintyeventhechapelsite.IaskedquestionsatageneralstorenearwhathadoncebeentheNavyBaseandalsoattheLutheranminorseminarybutonlygotawonderingandregretfulshakingofheads.
Wedroveon,butIknewwehadgonetoofarwhenwereachedScarletBeach.(TheJapanesehadattemptedalandingthereandhadbeenrepulsedwithsomuchbloodshedthattheplacewasgiventhisgrislyname.Thatiswhatitisstillcalled,thoughthenativesprobablydon’tknowwhy.)
Wewentbacktosearchagain,scanningeveryfootoftheway.Nothing.IfIhadheardthekooka-burrabirdcawingitsraucouslaugh,Iwouldhavethoughtthetriumphantjunglewasmockingme.Withsympatheticperception,mytravelingcompan-ionandBostonCollegecolleague,GeorgeLawlor,S.J.,sensedmydisappointment.Inaquiet,let’s-be-reasonabletone,hesaid:“Youfellowscameoutheretoestablishpeace,didn’tyou?”
“Isupposewedid,”Ianswered.“Well,”hesaid,“Lookaroundyou.”Thebreezesoughedsoftlythroughthepalm
trees,andIbrokeintoaslowgrin.Itwastrue.TheJapaneseweregone.WeAmericanshadgone.TheAustralianshadgone.Thecountrybelonged,asitshould,tothepeopleofNewGuinea.Missionac-complished.Soifmychapelhadvanished,itdidn’tmatter.Itookalastlookatthesereneandsilentbush,saidaquickprayerforallthecomrades,liv-inganddead,ofthosedaysanddrovebacktothehospital.Dr,Hershey,withraredelicacyandkind-ness,thankedmeforwhatwehaddone,morethan40yearsearlier,forNewGuinea.
William J. Leonard, S.J. 16
16 William J. Leonard, “Worship in Wartime,” America, (August 8, 1987). Reprinted with permission of America Press, Inc. c 1987.
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Itwasnotaprettytimetobealive.Wehadknownthebreadlinesofthedepression,andasthethirtiesdrewtoacloseweheardMusso-
linirantinginthePiazzaVeneziainRomeandsawthestormtroopersgoosesteppingintoPragueandVienna.Thelightswentout,then,allovertheworld;itwasthescorchedearthoftheUkraineandtheNineHundredDaysofLeningrad;itwasdis-asteratDunkirkanddeathrainingfromtheskiesoverLondon;itwas,finally,PearlHarbor,Anzio,andOmahaBeach.
Thisconvulsion,theysaid,wasthebirthpangsofaneworder,thekindofthingthathappensabouteveryfivehundredyears.Butthiswastoocataclysmic–nonewordercouldbeworththatmuchwretchedness.Oneclapshishandtohismouthandfallssilentinthepresenceofanevilsohideous,soenormous.
Myoffice[86thInfantryDivision,CampLiv-ingston,Alexandria,La.,in1944]wasintherearofthechapelbuilding,quiteadequateexcepttherewerenoscreensinthewindows,andafterdarkallthebugsinLouisianacameintoseeme,includingsomerevoltingspecimensatwhichIusedtostareindisbelief.AlmostalwaysIhadastreamofmenwithproblems.Ithadbeendecided,forinstance,
thattheAirCorpsandtheArmySpecialTrainingProgram(ASTP)wereoverloaded,andmanyhun-dredsofmenintheserelativelypleasantoutfitshadbeenassignedtotheinfantry.
AmoredisgruntledandresentfulcrowdIhadneverseen.Someofthemwereintheirmiddleandlatethirties;theyfoundthatlonghikesandcrawl-ingontheirbelliesgavethemanguishinareastheyhadneverbeenconsciousofbefore.SomewerekidswhohadenlistedintheASTPbelievingthattheywouldbesenttomedicalschoolorgradu-atestudies.Somehadhighlyspecializedskillsforwhich,withreason,theyforesawnouseinariflecompany.VeryoccasionallyIwasabletohelpbyarrangingatransfertothemedicsorthesignalbattalion,butforthemostpartallIcoulddowasprovideasympatheticear;theywereinfantry,andthatwasthat.
Therewasoneexception.Acolonelsentformeonemorningtotellmeaboutaladwhorefusedtofirearifleorthrowagrenade.
“Hesayshe’sapacifist,”thecolonelsnapped.“Iwantyoutosethimstraight,andifyoudon’tsucceed,I’llcourt-martialhimandsendhimtoLeavenworth.”
“Maybehe’ssincere,”Ioffered.
idon’trememberthatithoughtofworldwarii,whilewewerefightingit,asjustanotherepisodeinthehistoryofsalvation.theconvulsionitbroughtintoallour
liveswastoogigantic.Andifwehadbeenabletograspthefulldimensionsofthehorrorat
thattime–inparticularthedemonicthingsassociatedwithnameslikeDachauandAuschwitz,
BataanandLubyankaPrison–itwouldhaveseemedsuchasickeningconcentrationofmisery
thatwecouldnothaveenduredit.
a parable of redemption
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“Idon’tbelieveit.Heenlistedinthearmy,didn’the?Hethoughthe’dgetafreeridethroughmedicalschool,andnowthatbubblehasburst,sohe’stakingtheeasywayout.YouthinkI’mhard,don’tyou?Look,Father,IwasatPearlHarborthedaytheJapanesehitus.Iwanttopayoffthosebeg-gars,andIhavenoillusionsaboutthem.They’vebeentoughandtheywillbetough.Ifwe’regoingtosurvive,wehavetobetough,andthatboywillhavetodohispart.Knocksomesenseintohishead.”
Isalutedandwentoutwitharealworry.Irespectedthecolonelasamanandanofficerandunderstoodhisattitude,butthethingwasn’tthatsimple.Whentheboyinquestionreportedatmyofficemyanxietygrew.Hewasablocky,muscularfellow,nosissy.Hespokeslowlyandsoftlyandwithoutemotion.
“Idon’tthinkit’srighttokill,”hesaid“Thenwhydidyouenlist?”Iasked.“TheytoldmeIwouldgotomedicalschool.”“Areyouafraidofcombat?”“No,I’mquitewillingtogoasamedic.”Igavehimalltheclassicargumentsforthe
legitimacyofajustwar.Iremindedhimthatwewerebeingattacked.IpicturedasvividlyasIcouldtheconsequencesoftheAxisvictoryoverus.IquotedallthetheologiansIknew.Afterourtalk,feelingthattheremustbeotherconsiderationsIhadoverlooked,Iwroteforhelptoatheologianathome.Thetheologian’sanswer,alas,wasanap-pealtopaternalismthateveninthosedayssoundedveryhollowtome.Bywhatright,Iwastoaskthesoldier,didheopposehisimmatureopiniontotheconsideredjudgmentofhiscountry’sleaders?Ineveraskedthequestion.IwasafraiditmightbethesamequestionthatwasbeingputtoyoungmeninGermanyaboutthattime.
Wetalked,however,farintothenightonsev-eraloccasions,andIfoundthatIcouldnotshakehim.Averysmallthingfinallyconvincedmeofhissincerity.Weweresittinginmyoffice,very
late,andmylightsmusthavebeenalmosttheonlyonesburninginthewholecamp.Thewallsandtheceilingwerecrawlingwithinsects,andIhadbeenkillingthemostannoyingofthem.Thenoneparticularlynauseouscentipedelandedonhisarmandstartedforhisface.Verygentlyhebrushedtherepulsivethingawayandwentontalking.
NextmorningIreportedtothecolonelthatIwasthoroughlyconvincedoftheboy’ssincerityandrecommendedthathebetransferredtothemedicalbattalion.Thecolonelglaredatme,toldmeIhadgreatlydisappointedhim,andsaidhewouldmakesurethattheladgottwentyyearsinLeavenworth.Butlongafterward,whenImetthedivisionagaininthePhilippines,theyoungsoldierwaswiththemedics.
Itwasafter6P.M.whenweweredroppedatanOrdnancecompanyinSanFernando[inthePhilip-pineswithGeneralMacArthur’sforcesattheendoftheLuzoncampaign,1945]wherewenotonlygotatemporaryrepairjobdoneonthejeepbutalsowrangledasquaremealandamuch-neededbath.Alas,thejeepstalledtwicemorebeforewereachedtheoutskirtsofManila,andthen,becauseofrumorsthatRizalAvenuehadbeenmined,Fr.OrtiztookusthroughsidestreetstothegatesoftheUniversityofSantoTomas.DuringtheJapaneseoccupation,AmericanandEuropeancivilianshadbeeninternedeitherhereoratanothercampatLosBanosabout30milessouth,stillinenemyhands.Itwasnowdark,andtheMPsdidn’tevenwanteventohearoflettingusin,butFr.Ortiz’sgoldenleavescameinhandy,andwepushedthejeepthroughthegates.Theex-prisonerswereenjoyingtheirfirstmovieinthreeyears,anditwouldhavebeendifficulttopickoutanyindividualinthecrowd,sowewalkedonandsuddenlyranintoArchbishopO’Doherty,thearchbishopofManila,withwhomwehadalongconversation.HetoldusofallthemaneuveringandchicaneryhehadtousetoavoidbeingforcedintoapublicapprovaloftheJapaneseregime,and
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ofhismanynarrowescapesfromimprisonmentinSantiago.AtlastIsaid,”YourExcellency,wherearetheJesuits?”
“Father,”hereplied,“overbehindthatbuilding,whichusedtobeagirls’dormitory,you’llfindabigchickencoop.That’swhereallthepriestsareliving.”
Well,inthatshantywefoundFr.Hurley,thesuperior,Fr.VincentKennally,laterbishopoftheCarolineIslands,Frs.JohnandVincentMcFadden,Fr.AnthonyKeane,Br.Abrams,andanumberofColumbans,OblatesandMaryknollers.Itwasawonderfulreunion,particularlysinceFr.Duganhadtoldushorriblestorieshehadheardbygrape-vineaboutatrocitiesinvolvingFr.HurleyandFr.Keane.Itwasglorioustofindthatthestoriesweresimplynottrue.Therewereplentyofhorrorswith-outthose.
Inthemiddleoftheexcitement[theliberationofManila]apriestcameuptomewithhishandextended.“Hello,Bill.”
Iwasembarrassed.“Er-hello,Father,”Isaiduncertainly.
“Don’tknowme,eh?”Ilookedagain,butnothingregistered.
“I’msorry.”“BuckEwing!”hesaid.Iwasstaggered.ThelasttimeIhadseenthe
distinguishedFordhamanthropologisthehadbeenaburlyfigureof250pounds.TheskeletonIwastalkingtocouldnothaveweighedmorethan90.Fr.EwinghadbenlookingforrelicsofprehistoricmaninMindanaowhenthewarbrokeoutandhadbeeninternedatonce.Thefoodration,neversubstantial,dwindledtoathingruelofriceandwaterduringthelastfourmonths.TheJapanese,inthiscase,hadnotbeendeliberatelybarbarous;ournavyhadeffectivelyblockadedthePhilippinesandpreventedJapanesesupplyshipsfrombringinginfood–if,indeed,therewasanythingtheycouldbringafterfeedingtheirownmillionsathome.Had
itnotbeenfortheloyaldevotionoftheFilipinosinthecity,whothrewbundlesoffoodoverthewallstotheprisoners,therewouldhavebeenfewsurvivorsinSantoTomas.
TheerstwhileprisonerstoldushowrespectfulthemenoftheFirstCavalryhadbeenwhentheyfirstcameintothecamp,andIthoughtIknewwhy.ImyselffeltasenseofaweinthepresenceoftheseAmericanswhohadundergonesomuch.Somehowthewordinternees(aclumsywordinanycase)hadalwaysheldformeanexclusivelymasculineconno-tation;IwasshockedwhenIsawwomenandgirlsamongthem.Andthebabies!Someofthemhadbeenborninsidethewretchedcompound;othersweresoyoungwhentheywentinthattheyneverknewanythingelse.
Fr.Ewingtoldusofaconversationhehadoverheardbetweenalittleboyandhisfather.
“Daddy,whenwegetoutI’llstandinthebreakfastlineandgetyourfoodforyou.”
“Buttherewon’tbeanybreakfastlineoutside,son.”
“Nobreakfastline?Well,howcanweeat?”AllthistimeIwaslookingexpectantlyabout,
andfinallyIasked,“WhereisFr.Doucette?”Fr.DoucettewasaNewEnglanderlikemyself;hisfamilyandminehadbeenfriendsforyears.Theytoldmehewaslivinginanotherbuilding,andBrotherAbramsvolunteeredtogethim.
“Don’ttellhimwhoitis,”Isaid.Meanwhilewewentouttopushthejeepa
littleclosertotheshanty,andwhilewewereatit,Fr.Doucettearrived.Hepeeredatmeinthedarkness,andIhadtotellhimwhoIwas.Itwasamostdelightfulmeetingforusboth.IgavehimallthenewsIhadfromhisfamilyandfromtheprovince,andhespokeofhisconfinementinSantiagoPrison.
Becausehehaddirectedtheobservatoryatourcollege,theAteneodeManila,theJapanesewereconvincedthathewasworkingsecretlywiththe
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Americannavyandhadimprisonedhim.Thoughheshowednobadeffects,Isuspectedthathehadhadmoretoputupwiththanhetoldusabout.Thegreatlossforhim,hesaidinhisself-effacingmanner,wastheobservatory;hehadmanagedtoremoveandhidethelensofthetelescope,buteverythingelsewasgone.
Backattheuniversity,BillandIwentonlisten-ingtostories.Weheardhowtheprisoners,firstconfinedin1942,hadsetupagovernmentforthemselves,andhowtheyhadbuiltonthecam-pustheshantiesandthelean-tos,theonlysheltertheywerepermittedtohave.Monthsworeonandturnedintoyears.Hopesthatflamedhighatfirstbegantoburnlow.ButinSeptember1944,thefirstAmericanplanesappearedoverthecity;theprisonersranoutoftheirhutsandcheeredandhuggedoneanotheruntiltheJapanesethreatenedtoshootthem.ButOctoberpassed,andNovem-ber,andDecember,bringingnofurtherraids,andhopewanedoncemore.ThencamethatwonderfulnightinearlyFebruarywhentheprisonersheardacolumnoftanksinthestreetoutside.TheythoughtnothingofitsincetheJapaneseoftenmovedtheirarmorfromplacetoplace.Butsuddenlytheleading
tankswunginandbutteditssnubnoseagainstthecampusgates,andtheyscreamed,“Americans!”
TheFirstCavalryhadsentinaspearheadofonly300men,buttheytookthegateandswarmedin.Theprisonersrushedonthem,heedlessofJapanesesnipersinupperstoriesofthebuildings,flingingtheirarmsaboutthemuntilthesoldiersthemselvesurgedthemtogobackforsafety’ssake.
ItisprobablyfarfetchedandIshallbeaccusedofpreachingwhenIsayit,butwhenIthinkoftheRedemption,especiallytheResurrectionofChrist,orofhiscomingagainattheendoftimeto“wipeawayalltearsfromoureyes,”astheBookofRevela-tionsays,it’sactuallythisstorythatreturnstomymind.ThelongwaitingatSantoTomas---longerbecausenoonecouldsaywhenitwouldend---theperplexity,thehunger,theneedtobolsterothers’courageatthesametimeyourownislanguishing,andthentheswift,incrediblerelease,themadjoy,thefreedom,thefriends,thefood,thegoinghome---itseemstomethebestparableinmyexperienceforwhatwillhappenwhenOurLordreturnstoclaimhisown.
William J. Leonard, S.J. 17
17 William J. Leonard, “A Parable of Redemption,” Company, (Winter, 1989), 10-13. Reprinted with permission of Company, c 1989.
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EveryeveningwehaveMassat5:30p.m.andthereistheusualnumberofconvertstocarefor.NowtheyhavefoundoutIcangivepriests’
retreats,soforthepastthreemonthsIhavebeenflyingonceamonthtosomepartofEuropetogiveaDayofRecollection.ThelastonewasinFrankfurt,whereBishopMuentsch,thePapalDelegate,attendedandmadesomeflatteringremarks.SoitseemsImaybecalledonregularlyforthistypeofworkalso.ThenwehavetakenonthelocalorphanageatCelle,wherethereareaminimumof50andamaximumof96children,allvictimsofthewarandtheshift-ingofpopulation.Ihavea“BigBrother”projectinoperationwherebyoneGItakesontheresponsibilityofonechild(ormoreifheseesfit)andactsasaBigBrother.Fortunately,IhavetheassistanceofsomeadultsinCellewhospeakEnglishanddomyinter-pretingforme.GraduallythelotofthesechildrenisbeingchangedduetoAmericangenerosity.Theynowhaveasecondsuitofclothes;theirquartershavebeenDDT’dandtheirfloursackshavebeenreplacedbyregularwhitesheets.Theystillneedmoreshoesandunderwear;butthesehavebeenpromised.
OurlatestprojectisapilgrimagetoRomeonthe25th
ofApril,when44ofourladswillgotoseetheHolyFatherandseeRomefor3days.Onthe17th
ofJuneIhopetoleadagrouptoLourdestovisitthe
Grotto.ThetriptoRomewillgointwosectionsof22each,plusafivemancrewfortheC-47…..Heretheat-mosphereisstrictlypagan.ThenearestCatholicpriestwhospeaksEnglishiseitheratHamburgorBremen–agoodthreehoursbyjeep.Itrytomakeiteverytwoweeksbutthepunishmenttomyachingbackisstart-ingtobejusttoomuch….
AndnowImusthurryofftostartthe5:30p.m.Mass.Sincethemission,theattendancehaspickedupsomewhat.Maybewhenwehavedependentsalittlenearer,itwillgoupstillfurther.Bytheway,oneofmyparishonersisthefilmactress,ConstanceBen-nett,aCatholic-of-sorts,whoattendsMassregularlyonSundays,andeverysooftenbringsherhusband,ColonelCoulter,theCommandingOfficerofthepost,withher.Sheisnowplanningtobringtheirchildren(twoofhisandtwoofhersbyformermarriages)onthepost.Thatwillcomplicatethingssomewhat,sinceIamnowwritingtosomeoneoutnearHollywoodforanopiniononthestatusofherpresentmarriage.IfIdidnothavesomanymarriagecasestohandle,mylifewouldbefairlyserene.Andmostoftheseareinthetextbooksonlyinthebarestoutlines,withoutthecomplications.
Timeisup…Thomas P. Fay, S.J. Captain, U. S. Army
18
InTheirOwnWords
fassberg,germany18april1949.Thingshavebeenthebusiestever.Tostartwithwehaveabout3,000menonthispost,andoccasionallyduetoillnessofanotherCatholicChaplaininCelle,25milesaway,Ihavetocoverbothpostsincasesofcrash.SundayswehavethreeMasses:at0900,1100and1600hours.MondaysandThursdaysIteachinthelocalBritishschool,whereIhaveacatechismclassofaboutsixchildren,ranginginagefromfivetoseven,mostlyofIrishorigin.
18 Letter from Thomas P. Fay, S.J. to Fr. Provincial, April 18, 1949. Military Chaplains (WWII) Files. Archives of the Society of Jesus of New England, College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA. Used with permission.
pastoral ministry
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Itisnotsurprising,then,tolearnthatthestrengthofourarmedforceshasmorethandoubledwithinthepasttwelvemonths.Each
unitandorganizationofthearmyandnavyhasbeenauthorizedtoincreasethenumberofitspersonneltowartimestrength.Accordingly,theAuxiliaryBishopoftheMilitaryOrdinariateoftheCatholicChurchintheUnitedStates,MostRev-erendJohnF.O’Hara,C.S.C.,hasappealedtothesecularclergyandtoreligiousordersandcongrega-tionsfortwohundredandseventy-fiveprieststoservethearmedforcesasChaplains.
ToonewhoisfamiliarwiththehistoryoftheSocietyofJesusthegenerousresponsegivenbytheSuperiorsoftheSocietytothecallofBishopO‘Harawasexpected.SaintIgnatiusinhisdaywitnessedthebeginningofatremendousdisaster.HesawthelifeoftheChurchofChristthreatenedasthereformersledmillionsofsoulsawayfromGodandrevealedreligion.TowinthesesoulsbacktoGod,IgnatiusfoundedtheSocietyofJesus.Fourhundredyearslater,theSocietyofJesusofNewEnglandhasplacedfourofhersonsonactivedutywiththearmedforces.SixotherJesuitpriestsoftheNewEnglandprovincewhohaveCommissionsin
theReserveCorpsarewaitingforthecalltodutyfromtheChiefofChaplains.
the priest in the armyItisthepurposeofthesepagestogiveour
friendlyreadersabriefpictureoftheworkofthepriestinthearmy.Thewords,“ArmyChaplain,”havelittleornomeaningtomanypeople.Formostpeoplewholookuponthepriestasamanofpeacefailtorecognizeforhimaproperplaceamongthosewhocarryontheworkofwarsandbattles.ItisintheArmyRegulationsthatwefindthefollowingsummaryofthedefinitedutiesoftheChaplain:namely,
a. toprovideopportunityforpublicreligious worship;
b.tosupplyspiritualministration,moral counselandguidancetoallundermilitary jurisdiction;
c. tobetheexponentofthebenefitsofreligion asanaidtorightthinkingandacting;
d.tofosterthebuildingofpersonalcharacter andcontentmentbyexampleandinstruction.
duringthesedaysofemergencythewheelsofourgovernmentaremovingrapidly
alongthehighwayofnationaldefense.Thecountlessnaturalresourcesofthecountry,the
manyplantsofindustry,eventhethoughtsandtheeverydaylivesofourpeoplearebeingtuned
tothevitalworkofpreparedness.Ourmannerofnationallife,itisreported,isseriouslythreat-
enedbydeath-dealingforces.Thatdemocracy,asweknowit,maysurvivedependssolelyonthe
completenessandthoroughnessofourpreparation.
InTheirOwnWords
the “padre” reports
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ThechaplainisanofficeronthestaffoftheCommandingOfficeranditishisdutytoadvisetheCommandingOfficerinmatterspertainingtopublicreligiousobservancesandwithrespecttothemoralityandmoraleofthecommand.“Intheper-formanceofhisdutiesthechaplainisaccountablesolelytothecommandingofficer.Ultimaterespon-sibilityformattersofareligiousandmoralnaturewithinacommanddevolvesuponthecommandingofficerascompletelyasdostrictmilitarymatters.”(ArmyRegulations).Thechaplain,whatevermaybehisrank,isaddressedas“chaplain.”Yetduetoacustomoflongstanding,theCatholicchaplainisaddressedas“padre,”andthenon-Catholicchap-lainas“chaplain.”TheinitialgradeofthechaplainisthatofFirstLieutenantwiththepayandallow-ancesofthatgrade.ThechaplainmaybepromotedashighasthegradeofLieutenantColonel.TheChiefofChaplainsaloneattainstherankoffullColonelwhichheretainsonlyduringhisfour-yeartenureofoffice.
Suchistheclearandconcisestatementoftheworkofthechaplaininthearmy.Tothepriestitisnotanewmessageorcommission;itisbutthecontinuanceoftheworkforwhichhewasordained.ThepriestoftheCatholicChurchlaborsforthesalvationofsouls,andwhileintheserviceofthearmedforcesthecircumstancesofhisworkmayvary,thelaborremainsunchanged.
the “padre” reports for dutyOnthethirddayoflastJune,thewriterofthese
pages,aJesuitoftheNewEnglandprovince,report-edforatourofactivedutywiththeRegularArmyatFortRiley,Kansas.RichinitstraditionswhichdatebacktodaysoftheWarbetweentheStates,FortRi-leyisthelargestCavalryschoolinthewholeworld.Furthermore,ithasbeenblessedmanytimesbythelaborsofnotafewexemplaryandzealouspriests.
RecallingtomindthishistoryofFortRiley,thenewlyarrived“padre”madeanhonestefforttogive
littlethoughttothetemperatureofthewarmsum-merdayandlostnotimeinmakingacquaintancewithhisnewsurroundings.Theworkinvolvedintheobtainingandthearrangingandthesettling-downinthelivingquartersbroughtforthafewprayersofsympathyforthe‘FatherMinister’ofotherdays.SoonafterarrivalthechapelwasvisitedanditwasfoundtobeabeautifuledificeworthyineveryrespecttobetheDwellingoftheKingofallkings.UnderthetitleandpatronageofSaintMary,itwasdedicatedintheyear1938.ItoccupiesasiteonthereservationwhereformanyyearsformerchaplainsandvisitingpriestsfromSt.Mary’sCollegehadofferedtheSacrificeoftheMass.
the “padre” at workAmongthefirstdutiesofthechaplainduring
hisfirstdaysonanArmyPostistheworkofnum-beringthemembersofhisflock.Ifheistoattainanyevidentresultsofhiswork,hemustlearnthenamesofthosewhoareCatholic.AlthoughthetotalstrengthofthepersonnelattheFortwasalmostfourthousand,onlyaboutsixhundredwereCatho-lic.TwoMasseswerecelebratedonthefollowingSunday,andthesixhundredhaddwindledtoabouttwohundred.Thissmallnumberconvincedthechaplainthatheshouldmakeeveryefforttoem-phasizeasoftenaspossibletheattendanceatHolyMassonSundaysandholydaysofobligation.ThefulfillmentoftheobligationofattendingMasshaseverbeenconsideredasignofapracticalCatholic.ThehearingofHolyMassisoneofthechiefmeansofobtainingthegraceofGod.SinceweneedGod’sgracefortheperformanceofgoodworks,itisnotsurprisingtodiscoverthattheCatholicwhofailstofulfilltheobligationofhearingMass,failsalsointhefulfillmentofmanyotherobligations.Excusesofferedwillbelegion,butseldomhasanysoldierareasonforhisfailuretoattendtheSacrificeoftheMassonSunday.Onlyamidthemostextraordinarycircumstanceswouldanycommandingofficerdeny
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toanyindividual,Catholicornon-Catholic,theprivilegeofbeingpresentatdivineservices.
visiting the sickDuringthesummermonthsthemajorityofthe
militarypersonnelwasabsentfromFortRiley.Con-sequentlytheworkofthechaplainduringthistimewastheroutineworkofanypriestamongthesheepfhisflock.InadditiontotheSaturdayconfessionsandtheMassesonSunday,thechaplainmakesadailyvisittoallthepatientsattheStationhospital.Thisisahospitalofonehundredandseventy-fivebedsandprovidesmedicalcarenotonlyforthemil-itarypersonnelbutalsoforthemembersoftheirfamilies.Thepriestwhohasbeenblessedwiththeassignmentofdailyvisitstoahospitalknowswellthefertilefieldforhisworkashemovesquietlyyeteffectivelyamongthebed-patientsofthehospitalward.Alltypesandconditionsofhumannaturearebeforehim,andafterafewvisitshediscoversthatamanduringthehourofsicknesssometimesforthefirsttimeinhislifethinksofGodandreligion.Thearmychaplainwhoisapatientlistenerwillhearamyriadvarietyofopinionconcerningtheentranc-ingsubjectorreligion.Andinthemidstofitall,hewillthroughtheinfinitepowerofGod’sgracenotonlyleadthewanderingsoulbacktoChristbutalsoportraytocountlesssoulstheirfirsttruepictureofanambassadorofChrist.
instructionEachmonththechaplainisaskedtogivetothe
entiremilitarypersonnelalectureonsexmorality.Intheaudiencearemenofallfaithsandcreeds.HereisamostfruitfulopportunityfortheCatholicchaplaintopresentaclearandbriefstatementoftheCatholicteachingconcerningthesubjectofsex.ArmyRegulationstreatthissubjectfromanaturalviewpoint.Theaimandobjectoftheseregula-tionsinthismatteraretopreventdiseaseandto
protectthehealthofthesoldier.Thewordsofthechaplainshouldbethenaturalsupplementofthearmyregulations,forheoffersthetruemotivesforthecompleteandpropersolutionofthisquestion,namely,theteachingofrevealedreligionwhichaloneexplainsthesupernaturallifeofman.
personal interviewsBecauseofitsmosttangibleresultsavery
comfortingworkisthepersonalinterviewbetweenthechaplainandthesoldier.Itisduringthetimeofthisinterviewthatthesoldierrealizes,usuallyforthefirsttimeinhislife,thatheistalkingtoonewhohasvowedtotakeapersonalinterestinhimandinhiswelfare.Oftentimestherawrecruitsoonforgetstheshadowsofanunfortunatebackground;tothechaplainherevealshisstory,histhoughts,hisaimsandambitions,forinthepriestthesoulofyouthrecognizesthehighestandmostnoblethingsoflife.ThechaplaininthepersonofChriststandsonthesamelevelastheyoungman,butbeforetheinterviewisover,anothersoulislifteduptoChrist.
Theexplanationofallthisisfoundintheproperinterpretationofthecircumstanceswhichsurroundtheyoungman.Accustomedtoaregi-mentalformofexistence,hefeelsthathehasbeenherdedandlikemembersofaherd,hefeelsthathemustactandperhapseventhinkonlyastheherdactsorthinks.Heisverylikelytolosehissenseofindividuality.Attimeshemaylookuponhimselfasamerecoginahugemachine.Inthepersonalinterviewthechaplainhasthegoldenopportunityofassuringtheyoungmanthatheisanindividual,thathehashisownlifetolive,andforthatreasonhemustbeheldresponsibleforhisthoughtsandactions.Itistheopinionofthewriterofthesepagesthatthepersonalinterviewoffersthechaplainoneofthegreatestnaturalmeansofaccomplishinggoodfortheyouthfulsoldier.
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catholic newsOnalargePostsuchasFortRileyitispossi-
bletohaveapersonalinterviewwithonlyasmallpercentageofthemen.Nevertheless,thepersonalcontactismadethroughtheweeklyletterwhichthechaplainsendstoeveryCatholicsoldier.MorethansixhundredcopiesaremimeographedeachweekandsenttotheindividualeachFridaymorning.TheletteriscalledCatholicNewsoftheWeek,andinitarefoundtheexplanationofatimelytruthofourfaith,theprogramofCatholicactivitiesforthecom-ingweek,andanyitemsofnewswhichmayhelpandencouragethesoldiertoleadalifeinaccord-ancewiththeteachingsofhisfaith.TheCatholicNewsoftheWeekhasbeenreceivedwithenthusi-asmbytheenlistedmen,anditisthesinceredesireofthechaplainthatitwillaccomplishthepurposeofitsexistence.
military field massSunday,Septembertheeighth,isadaywhich
willlivelonginthememoryofCatholicsandnon-CatholicsatFortRiley.ThePresidentoftheUnitedStateshadproclaimedthedaytobeaDayofNationalPrayer.OurobservanceconsistedinthecelebrationofaMilitaryFieldMassinthePostStadium.ThechaplaincelebratedtheMass,andthesermonwaspreachedbytheMostReverendFrancisA.Thill,D.D.,BishopofConcordia.AftertheMasstheBishopwasthecelebrantforBenedictionoftheMostBlessedSacrament.AchoirofnearlythirtyJesuitscholasticsfromSt.Mary’sCollegesanghymnsfortheMassandatBenediction.Alasting
impressionwasmadeonthemindsofallwhoattendedthebeautifulceremony.
AmongtheCatholicorganizationsonthePostwehaveaHolyNameSociety.ThemenofthisSocietyreceiveHolyCommunionasagrouponthesecondSundayofeachmonth,andattendthemeet-ingoftheSocietyonthesecondandfourthMondayofeachmonth.ThemembersoftheHolyNameSocietyarealmostindispensableforthechaplain,forthesuccessofanyenterpriseundertakenbythechaplainisduetothewillingnessandreadinessofthesementocooperatewiththeirchaplain.ItwaspossibletohaveaHighMassonChristmasEvebecauseoftheearnesteffortsofthemembersofanotherorganization,St.Mary’schoir.BecauseoftheirenthusiasmandsuccesswiththeHighMassofChristmas,ithasbeendecidedtohaveaHighMasseachSundayinthefuture.TheHighMasshasalwaysbeenconsideredastheparishMassofanycongregation,andatthepresenttimeatFortRileywehaveaparishwhichhasalreadyoutgrowntheaccommodationsofourchapel.
IntheexpressionofthesefewramblingthoughtsthewriterhasendeavoredtopresentapictureofthepositionandtheworkofthechaplainintheArmy.Ifinteresthasbeenaroused,itwillbearewardtothewritertofeelconfidentthatprayerswillbringtheblessingofHeavennotonlyuponourchaplainsandtheirwork,butalsoupontheyouthofourcountrywhostandreadytomakethesu-premesacrifice.
John J. Dugan, S.J. 19
19 John J. Dugan, “The Padre Reports,” The Jesuit Bulletin. (February, 1941).
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LadiesandGentlemen,goodmorning!And,thankyouforyourkindinvitationtocelebratethisVeteransDaywithyou!Iconfessthat
IamsomewhatsurprisedandhumbledtofindmyselfasaguestspeakeratmyAlmaMater.Iamalsoawedbybeingintheshadowofthisvenerablelibrarywhere,asanundergraduate,Ispentsomanyhourssleepingintheover-heatedbookstacks!Nonetheless,itisbothaprivilegeandapleasureformetojoinyoutodaytoacknowledgethegenera-tionsofwomenandmenwhohaveservedintheArmedForcesofournation,manyofthemgradu-atesofBostonCollege.Theirdedication,courageandselflessnessdeserveourprofoundrespectandourlastinggratitude.
IhavebeenaskedtospeaktoyouthismorningaboutCatholicmilitarychaplainsand,inparticular,aboutthesuitabilityofJesuitpriestsforthisveryuniqueministry.IdosofromtheperspectiveofNavychaplainswhoministerprimarilytoSailorsandMarines.However,ItrustthatmyJesuitbroth-erscurrentlyservingasArmyandtheAirForcechaplainswouldconcurwithmyobservations.Fortherecord,letmesaythatIaddressyoutodaynotasanofficialrepresentativeoftheDepartmentoftheNavy,oroftheArchdiocesefortheMilitaryServices,USA.IambutaretiredNavyChaplainwhoishonoredtohavebeenamemberofbothorganizationsformorethantwodecades.Hence,I,alone,amresponsiblefortheseremarks.
MilitarychaplaincyisnothingnewtotheSocietyofJesus.Ourfounder,SaintIgnatiusLoyola,himselfasoldier,wasundoubtedlyonthereceivingendofthepriestlyministryofdedicatedchaplains.HissuccessorasSuperiorGeneraloftheSocietyofJesus,DiegoLaynez,onceservedasachaplaintoSpanishnavalforcesinaraidonTripoliin1550.Closertohomeinbothtimeandspace,FatherJohnMcElroy,thereveredfounderofBostonCollege,servedfortenmonthsasachaplaintoAmericanArmypersonnelin1846-1847duringtheMexicanAmericanWar.Hedidso,Imightadd,attheageof64!
AtthecloseofWorldWarII,246AmericanJesuitpriestswereservingasmilitarychaplains.Fifty-fourweremembersoftheNewEnglandProv-ince,and18ofthemcamefromtheranksoftheBostonCollegefaculty.Onechaplain,Fr.DanielJ.Lynch,holdsthedistinctionofbeingtheonlyJesuittohaveservedinbothWorldWars!Anotherformerfacultymember,Fr.JosephTimothyO’Callahan,isthefirstNavyChaplaintobeawardedtheMedalofHonorforhisheroicactionsaboardUSSFRANK-LINintheWesternPacific.Overall,from1918tothepresent,67NewEnglandProvinceJesuitshaveservedournationasmilitarychaplains.TodayonlyoneNewEnglandProvinceJesuitremainsonactiveduty:FatherJohnMonahan,whoisattheCoastGuardAirStationatKodiak,Alaska.
thisaddressbyrobertl.keane,s.j.,arecentlyretiredjesuitnavychaplain,isincluded
heresinceitspeakstothesuitabilityofJesuitpriestsforserviceasmilitarychaplainsforrea-
sonsasvalidtodayastheywereinWorldWarII.
veterans day remembrance remarks
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IbeganmyownactivedutyserviceintheNavyatanagebywhichmanyothershadalreadyretired–thoughIwasnotasoldasFr.McElroy!Inthelate1980’syouwouldhavefoundmeasacollegechaplainandaninstructorinthemodernlanguagedepartmentatthatothereducationalinstitutioninWorcesterwhosenamewedonotmentionontheHeights.ShortlyaftertheschoolyearbeganmysupervisoraskedmetoreachouttotheMidship-menoftheNavyROTCUnitoncampus.ManymonthslateranunexpectedconversationwiththeCommandingOfficersetinmotionasequenceofeventsthatIhadneverforeseen.AcquiescingtohisrequestthatIatleastthinkaboutbecomingaNavychaplain,Iresearchedtheissuethoroughly,asanygoodJesuitwoulddo.AndIconsultedwithseveralpriest-chaplainswithwhomIwasacquainted.TheyspokeveryenthusiasticallyabouttheirministryandstressedthedesperateshortageofCatholicpriestsinthemilitary.Atthattime,myJesuitCommunityhadfifty-onepriests.Ireasonedthattheywouldlikelynotmissone.So,Idecidedtovolunteerforthenavalservice.
MyfirstchallengewastoconvincemyJesuitsu-periorthatthisplanwasareallygoodidea.Churchauthoritiesarenotoriouslyreluctanttoallowprieststogoofftoserveinthemilitary.Theyfearwewon’teverreturntoourdiocesesorreligiouscommuni-ties.SuspectingthatIwouldbefightinganup-hillbattle,Imountedadeliberate,phasedcampaignaimedatpersuadingFatherBobManning,myJesuitProvincial,tograntmepermissiontobecomeaNavychaplain.Inourinitialmeetinginhisofficewehadacordialconversation,whichheconcludedinaverynon-committalfashion.Hesimplysug-gestedthatwebothpraymoreaboutthematter.Whiledrivinghome,Ireflectedonourvisitand,specifically,hisresponsetomyrequest.Thoughnotlackinganappreciationfortheimportanceofprayer,Iquicklycametotheconclusionthatthe
HolySpiritmightbenefitfromalittleassistancefromyourstruly.
So,severalweekslaterItookafivebysevenindexcardandwrote:“DearBob,ReasonNumberOnewhyyououghttoletmejointheNavy.”Istatedmycaseverysimply,mailedit,andwaitedforhisresponse.TheProvincialrepliedexactlyasIexpected—onthebackoftheverysameindexcard.ThenextmonthIfollowedupwithReasonNumberTwo,andamonthlater,ReasonNumberThree.IseemtorecallthatwereachedReasonNumberEightorNinebeforehefinallycapitulated—slainbytheSpirit,ifnotmypersistence.AlthoughFr.ManninghaslongsincegonehometoGod,Icanwellimaginethatheisstillenjoyingagoodlaughovermyunusual,ifnotpersuasive,tactics.
Inowlookbackonmytwenty-threeyears,twomonthsandsixteendaysofnavalserviceandwonderwherethetimewent.Thoseyearswerefilledwithmarvelousopportunitiesforpriestlyministry,andwithcountlesssituationsinwhichpeoples’liveswereenrichedbythepracticeoftheirCatholicfaith.Isailedallaroundtheworld,landedonsixcontinents,andvisitedmanyoftheholiestshrinesandreligioussitessoimportanttoourFaith.
ManytimesIhavebeenasked:“Whatwasyourfavoritedutystation?”Truthfully,Ineverknowpreciselyhowtorespondtothatquestion.InGod’sgoodprovidenceeveryoneofmytoursofdutywasrichlyrewardingandexceedinglyenjoyable—butnotforthereasonsIhavejustlisted.Theprimarysourceofmysatisfactionwasalwaysthepeople:theservicemenandwomen,andtheirfamilies,withwhomIservedandtowhomIwassenttoministerasapriestandachaplain.
Icannotfindthewordstodescribeadequatelyhowextraordinaryaretheseyoungmenandwomenwhovolunteertoserveournation.Theyrepeatedlyendurecrampedquarters,longdeployments,physi-
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calrigors,longseparationsfromtheirfamilies,uncertainty,fatigue,constantchange,economichardshipandrealdangerinordertohonortheirenlistmentorcommissioningoaths.Istandinaweoftheircourageanddedication.Theiringenuity,creativity,andinitiativehumbleme.Theirselflesscommitmenttoeachotherandtotheirmissionisnothinglessthaninspiring.Itispatriotssuchasthesewhomournationhonorstoday.Weowethemourprofoundgratitudeandunrelentingadmirationandrespect.
TheexerciseofpriestlyministryintheArmedServicesisintenselypersonal.Aschaplains,wewitnessmarriages,baptizebabies,hearconfessions,anointthesickanddying,andsharegriefandsuf-feringinmomentsofdisappointment,confusion,sicknessanddeath.Namesandfacesareforeverembeddedinourmemories.Forexample,myveryfirstmilitaryfuneralwasthatofCPLRobertJ.Murphy,USMCwhodiedinatrainingaccidentatFortOrdinCalifornia.Mid-career,IwascalledtothePentagonwarzoneontheeveningof9-11.TwodayslaterIwasorderedtotheWhiteHousewhereIjoinedateamofpsychologistsandclergyprovidingcounselingtothehouseholdstaffandtoworkersintheExecutiveOfficeBuilding.Intheweeksthatfol-lowed9-11,IconductedsevenfuneralsormemorialservicesforNavalAcademygraduates,includingoneformyformershipmate,CDRPatDunn,withwhomIservedintheSixthFleet.ShortlyafterarrivingatmyfinaldutystationatQuantico,VirginiaIlaidmyownnephewtorestinSection60ofArlingtonNationalCemetery.
Unlikecivilianpastorswhoareaccustomedtogreetingtheirflockatthedoorsofthechurch,wechaplainsgooutandforwardwithourunits:wetrainwiththem,deploywiththem,getcold,wet,tiredanddirtywiththem.Thecamaraderiethatarisesfromthoseexperiencesbuildsabondandatrustwhicheventuallyopenallsortsofdoorsfor
pastoralministry.ToparaphrasePopeFrancis,whenchaplainsreturntogarrisonafterafieldexer-cise,wedefinitelysmelllikethesheepofourflock!
ManypeoplehaveseemedsurprisedtoseeorhearofaJesuitinuniform.IusuallyexplaintothemthataJesuitinthemilitarychaplaincyisactu-allyperfectlyconsistentwithourhistoryandourspirituality.Asyouknow,ourfounder,IgnatiusofLoyola,washimselfasoldier.InfoundingtheSoci-etyofJesusheborrowedfromhisownlife’sexperi-encesinordertobetterorchestratetheministriesofhisearlycompanions.Hence,militaryserviceandreligiouslifewithintheSocietyofJesushavemuchincommon,andnotbycoincidence.
So,withthisinmind,pleaseallowmenowtosharewithyousixreasonswhyIbelieveJesuitsareespeciallywell-suitedtoserveasmilitarychaplains
(1)First,IgnatiusstatesthatitisaccordingtoourJesuitvocationtotraveltothefarthestcornersoftheearthwherethereishopeofgreaterservicetoGodandofhelptosouls.Consequently,fromtheveryearliestdaysofournovitiatetraining,weJesu-itsareexpectedtobeavailabletoservewhereverweareneededandsent.ThoughmanyofuslaborinvenerableinstitutionssuchasBostonCollege,Igna-tiusdidnotwantustobetieddownbythesecom-mitments,butrathertobehighlymobileandreadytogoatamoment’snoticewherevertheneedwasdeterminedtobegreater.Thus,theentireworldisourmissionfield.So,crisscrossingtheglobeasIhavedonefortwenty-threeyearswouldprobablynotsurpriseIgnatiusintheleast.Infact,Ihopeitwouldpleasehimimmensely.
(2)Second,Jesuitsaremissionaries.WegotounfamiliarplacestosharethemessageofJesusChristbothinwordandindeed.Throughouthis-torywehaveadaptedourformsofministryinordertobettermeettheneedsofpeople,sometimeswithgreatsuccess,andatothertimestothechagrinofthosewatchingourinnovations.Inmyfirstletterto
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Fr.ManningIdescribedtohimhowIhadcometoidentifystronglywiththesixteenth-centuryItalian,Jesuitmissionarieswhowereadmittedtotheimpe-rialcourtofChina.I,likethey,hadtolearntospeakanewlanguage(calledacronyms),toweardifferentclothing(calleduniforms),toadapttounfamiliarsocialcustoms(calledmilitaryprotocol),andtoliveamongpeoplewhoseprioritiesandexperienceswereoftenverydifferentfrommyown.
WhenIfirstjoinedtheNavythecultureshockwhichIexperiencedwasdisorienting,tosaytheleast.TheonlyknowledgeIhadofmilitarylifecamefromoldJohnWaynemoviesandfromafewhistorybooksIhadreadalongtheway.LikemanyWordWarIIveterans,myownfather,whowasinjuredintheBattleoftheBulge,nevereverspokeofhiswartimeexperiences.Hence,itcameasnosurprisetomethatIhadmuchtolearnatmyfirstdutystationfrommyteachers:theUnitedStatesMarines.Oneoftheirfavoriteexpressionsis“Improvise,Adapt,andOvercome!”—anexpres-sionthatIfoundverypractical,and“motivating”,asMarinesliketosay.
IrecallearlyinthistourofdutygoingonceagaintoconsultwiththeBattalionExecutiveOfficeraboutsomematterofimportance.Asusual,theX.O.washarriedandbusy.Despitethefactthathisdeskfacedthedoorway,heneverlookedupfromthethickstackofpapersbeforehim.Recognizingmyvoice,hesimplybarked:“Yes,chaplain,whatisit?”Ithoughttomyselfinamomentoffrustra-tion:“WhatdoIhavetodotogetthisman’satten-tion?”TothisdayIdon’tknowwhatpossessedme,butspontaneouslyIkneltdowninfrontofhisdeskandkepttalking.TheX.O.soonrecognizedthatmyvoicewasnolongercomingfromhighabovehimbutratherwasathiseyelevel.Completelystartled,helookedupinalmosttotaldisbelief,speechless.Atthatverymoment,Ithought:“Ah,ha,I’vegothim!”
Fromthenon,everytimeIwenttoseetheX.O.heinstantlygavemeeverybitofhisundividedat-
tention.Yousee,therealissuewasnotthatIwassoimportantorthematterathandsourgent.Rather,itwasthatheknewthateverypersonwhopassedbyhisopendoorwouldwanttoknowwhytheX.O.hadthebattalionchaplaindownonhisknees!
LearningnewtricksandadaptingtounfamiliarsurroundingsarebehaviorsnotunknowntoJesuitmissionaries.
(3)Third,Jesuitsarecalledtolaborforthegoodofsoulsinanecumenicalenvironment.TheNavyintroducedmetoaworldfarapartfromtheBoston,IrishCatholiccocooninwhichIgrewup.ThereIoccasionallyencounteredharshstereotypesorill-informedmisconceptionsabouttheCatholicChurch.OnceIwascaughtcompletelyoffguardwhilespeakingwithayoungerchaplainwhohadneverinhislifeevermetorspokenwithaCatholicpriest.Iwasanentirelynewchallengeforhim,andheforme.OvertheyearsIhavelearnedtoappreci-atemoreandmoretheworld-wide,historicalandtheologicalperspectiveswhichweJesuitsdevelopduetoourextensiveeducationandtraining.ThisprovidesatremendouslyusefulresourceindemystifyingtheChurchintheeyesofothers.TheNavyChaplainCorps’motto,“CooperationWithoutCompromise”,speakswelltothemannerinwhichmilitarychaplainsworkcloselytogetheronadailybasiswhileneversacrificingtheirownreligiousidentities.
(4)Fourth,Ignatiusexpectedhisfollowerstogowherevertheneedwasdeterminedtobethegreat-est.Currently,theDepartmentofDefensehasatotalof234activedutypriestsservingapproximate-ly1.8millionCatholics,thatis,militarypersonnel,familymembers,andAmericandiplomaticandfed-eralemployeeslaboringoverseasin134countries.Militarypriestsdeploywiththeirunits,aswellasservepersonnelat220militaryinstallationsin29countries.Todayapproximately25%ofallmilitarymembersidentifythemselvesasCatholic,andyetonly8%ofallmilitarychaplainsareCatholic.So,
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giventhesestatistics,Ithinkitissafetosaythattheneedforpriestlyministryamongourmilitaryserv-icesisverygreatindeed.Asoldierhimself,IgnatiuswouldcertainlybesympathetictoJesuitssteppingforwardtoassistwiththisneed.
IwanttomentioninpassingthattheArchdio-cesefortheMilitaryServicesisalsoresponsibleforprovidingpastoralministrytotheCatholicpatientsof153VeteransAffairsMedicalCentersthroughoutthecountry.Anumberof“civilian”Jesuitshaveservedfaithfullyatthesecentersaschaplainstoourveterans.Godblessthemfortheirdedicationandservice!
(5)Fifth,Jesuitsare,byvocation,evangeliz-ersandteachers.Withinthemilitarycommunitytherearemany,appropriatevenuesinwhichwechaplainscanspeaktheGoodNews.Wedosoinacomparativelysubduedmanner,butourpresenceaschaplainsaffordsustheopportunitytosharetheCatholicfaithwithanywhoask.Thisisparticularlyimportantinlightofsomeofthealarmingstatisticsofourtimes.ThePewResearchCenter’sForumonReligionandPublicLifeissuedastudynottoolongagothatindicatesthatapproximatelyone-thirdofallAmericansundertheageoftwenty-fiveclaimnospecificreligiousaffiliationoridentityofanysort.And88%ofthemsaythattheyarenotactivelyseekinganaffiliation.Theyarecolloquiallyreferredtoas“Nones”—spelled“n-o-n-e-s”—sincetheyhavenoreligiouspreference—noneatall.74%ofthese“Nones”wereinitiallyraisedinsomefaithtraditionwhichtheysubsequentlyabandoned.Moretothepoint,amongouryoung,militaryservicemembersthese“Nones”comprisethesingle,fastest-growingreligiousprofileonrecord.Jesuitshavealonghis-toryofgoingtothe“unchurched”,livingamongthem,andsharingthefaithwithanyspiritualpilgrimswhomtheymeet.This,too,seemstobeanothergoodreasontohaveJesuitmilitarychaplains!
(6)Finally,theministryofpriestsinthemili-taryisdedicatedtosustainingthespirituallivesofallCatholics.However,ourpresenceisespeciallyhelpfultothoseindividualswhoarediscerningacalltoreligiouslifeortothepriesthood.Militarypersonnelaregenerouspeoplewhohaveamind-setofservice.Hence,transitioningfromtheArmedServicestoalifeofdedicatedservicewithinthechurchisnotallthatdramaticorevenuncommon.OneofmyformershipmatesisnowacloisterednuninColorado.SixmenwithwhomIonceservedareeithercurrentlypreparingforordinationtothepriesthoodorarealreadyservinginvariousdioces-esorreligiousordersthroughouttheUnitedStates.OneofthemevenbecameaJesuit!Justlastmonth,atthatothercollegewhosenameIdidnotmentionearlier,IceremoniallycommissionedaJesuitscho-lastic(orseminarian)asaNavyChaplainCandi-date.HeispresentlyastudenthereattheSchoolofTheologyandMinistryandhehopestoserveonactivedutyoncehehascompletedhisJesuittraining.Thatwillbeaboutsevenyearsfromnow–weJesuitsarenotoriouslyslowstudents!
Itisacommonly-acceptedstatisticthatapproxi-matelytenpercentofpriestsintheUnitedStateshavepreviouslyservedintheArmedForces.So,weknowthattherearepriestlyvocationsintheranks.Theredefinitelyareindividualswhoareconsider-ingseparatingfromthemilitaryinordertoservetheChurchinthepriesthoodorinreligiouslife.Havingpriestsinuniformtodirect,counselandadvisethesepotentialvocationsiscriticaltotheirspiritualwell-being.MeetingthatneediscertainlysomethingthatweJesuitscandowell,alongwiththemanyother,finediocesanandreligiousorderpriestswhoarecurrentlyservingaschaplains.
So,inclosing,letmesaythatIfirmlybelievethatthemilitarychaplaincyoffersaverysuitablevenueinwhichJesuitpriestscanandshouldbepresent.AsaChurch,wehaveanobligationto
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providepastoralcareandsacramentalministrytothoseinuniform.AsJesuits,wehaveaspiritualityandaperspectiveonministrywhichprepareuswelltoserveintheseextraordinarycircumstances.IwasverypleasedandproudtohaveservedasaNavychaplain.And,althoughthatministryrequiredmetolivealonefortwenty-threeyears,IalwaysfeltverymuchapartofmyJesuitcommunity,nomatterwhereintheworldIhappenedtobe.ThankstomyJesuitsuperiorswhoconsistentlyandenthusi-asticallyreaffirmedthisassignment,IwasrichlyblessedinwaysthatIcouldneverhaveimagined.
IamverygratefultoourJesuitProvincialswhoaremindfulofthespiritualneedsofourmenandwomeninuniform.Despitetheincreasingshort-agesofmanpowerinourowninstitutionsandapos-tolates,theyhavegenerouslyprovidedJesuitpriestswhosupplypastoralcareforthoseinthemilitary.CurrentlywehavetwoJesuitsonactivedutyintheNavy,oneintheAirForce,andoneintheArmy.TherearealsotwoJesuitsservingintheAirForceReserve,oneeachintheArmyReserveorNationalGuard,andoneintheNavyReserve.ThelatterisBishopMichaelBarber,whoisthenewOrdinaryoftheDioceseofOakland,CA.Yes,aJesuit,Bishop,NavyChaplain!
InappreciationoftheministryoftheseJesuitpriests,IleavewithyouwiththesewordsofFleetAdmiralChesterW.Nimitz:
“By his patient, sympathetic labors with men day in, day out, and through many a night, every Chaplain I know contributed immeasurably to the moral courage of our fighting men. None of this effort appears in the statistics. Most of it was neces-sarily secret between pastor and his confidant. It is for that toil in the cause both of God and country that I honor the Chaplain most.”
Ladiesandgentlemen,pleaseprayforthe234priestswhoarecurrentlyonactivedutyintheArmedServices.Theylaboreverydayinthefaceoftremendouschallengesandever-increasing,urgentpastoralconcerns.
PleaseprayalsoforourWoundedWarriorswhostruggleeachdaywiththeburdensoffrailhealthandphysicalchallengesandlimitations.Theyhavesacrificedmuchofthemselvesforournation.Ineverywaypossibleweneedtosupportthem,andtheirfamiliesandfriendswhoprovidethemwithassistanceonadailybasis.
TodayournationpausestorememberallwhohaveservedintheArmedForcesoftheUnitedStates.Theseveterans–youveterans–haveearnedouradmirationandprofoundgratitudeforyoursingularselflessnessanddevotiontoduty.Wecanneverthankyouenough,butmayourwordsandourpresenceherethismorningstandintestimonyofourappreciationforyourgenerousandcourageousservice.
Thankyou,andGodblessyouall!
Robert L. Keane, S.J., 201320
20 Robert L. Keane, S.J., “Veterans Day Remembrance Remarks,” Thirteenth Annual Veterans Remembrance Ceremony, Boston College, November 11, 2013.
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“Theyheldreligiousservicesforsoldiersandsailorsandpreachedtothem.Theycounseledandadvisedthose
whosoughthelp.Theywereeverywheretheydeemedtheirpresencetobenecessary–inbat-tle,thatmeantwiththecombattroops,andtherethechaplainoftenactedaboveandbeyondthecallofduty.Underhostilefire,theyriskedtheirlives.(SeventyCatholicChaplainsdiedinWorldWarII.)Theysoughtthewounded,thedying,andthedeadwholayexposedandhelpless.Theysuccoredthem,rescuedthem,broughtthembacktomedi-calaidstations,andprayedoverthem.Theyburiedbodiesandwrotetothefamiliesofthedeceased.”
21
“Incombat,everychaplainexperiencedthesameterrors–thethreatofsuddenannihilationorsevere
injury,thedeathofone’sclosestcompanions–thesamecrushingburdenoflabor,andhardshipsofweatherandterrain.Atthesametime,chaplainswhoremainedintheUnitedStatesduringallofthewar(manyofwhomresentedhavingtostayathomewhile‘theboys’weresufferingoverseas)suf-feredboredomandfrustration.”
22
Althoughbutasmallpercentageoftheto-talnumberofChaplains,therecordsofmilitaryservice,thecitationsandawards,andtheinspiringstoriesofNewEnglandProvinceJesuitsrecountedherecapturethesharedexperienceofthewholeandremindusthatwemustnotforgetwiththepassageoftimethesacrificesthey,togetherwithmillionsoftheirfellowAmericans,sogenerouslymadetokeepourNationfree.
Afterword
duringworldwariibetweendecember1941and1945some16millionamericansservedinthearmedforces.ofthese416,000gavetheirlivesastheunitedstateswagedwarin
theeuropeanandpacifictheaters.Morethan8,000Chaplainsofalldenominationsserved
sidebysidewiththemenandwomeninthisdeadliestmilitaryconflictinhistory.
21 Donald F. Crosby, Battlefield Chaplains. (Lawrence, KS, University of Kansas Press, 1994), xi-xii.22 Ibid., xxiv.
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Appendices
n NewEnglandProvinceMilitaryChaplains,1918–2014
n NewEnglandProvinceMilitaryChaplains,NumberbyYear,1942–2014
n NewEnglandProvinceMilitaryChaplains,PostWorldWarII
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82 | appendices
appendices | to love and serve
NAME RANK BRANCH YEARS AWARDSSTATUS AS OF 2014
Barry, John L. Major Army1945–1946 1951–1970
Bronze Star, Purple Heart Died 1987
Bonn, John L. Lieutenant Navy 1943–1946 Died 1975
Boylan, Bernard R. Lieutenant Navy 1943–1946Navy and
Marine Corps MedalDied 1978
Brennan, Thomas A. Captain Army 1945–1946 Died 1967
Brock, Laurence M.Lieutenant
ColonelArmy 1941–1946 Legion of Merit Died
1989
Burke, William J.Lieutenant
CommanderNavy 1975–1984 Died
1989
Carroll, Anthony G. Major Army 1940–1946 Left SJ 1950
Clancy, John L. Major Army 1937–1946 Died 1984
Cleary, Hebert J. Lieutenant Navy 1970 Living
Coleman, Jeremiah F. Captain Army1944–19461951–1952
Died 1961
Connors, J. Bryan Captain Army 1944–1946 Died 1970
Curran, Joseph P. Captain Army 1944–1946 Left SJ 1959
DeStefano, Neal J.Lieutenant
CommanderMarines 1987–1997 Left SJ
1998
Devlin, John F. Captain Army 1944–1946 Died 1981
new england province military chaplains, 1918 – 2014
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NAME RANK BRANCH YEARS AWARDSSTATUS AS OF 2014
Dolan, James J. Major Army 1940–1946 Bronze Star Died 1952
Doody, Michael J.Lieutenant
CommanderNavy 1942–1946 Died
1988
Duffy, William J. Captain Army 1944–1946 Died 1998
Dugan, John J. Major Army1936–1946 1948–1953
Bronze Star, Army Commendation Ribbon
Died 1964
Dunn, Raymond V. Lieutenant Navy 1966 Left SJ 2001
Farrelly, Peter T.First
LieutenantArmy 1957–1977 Died
1999
Fay, Thomas A.Lieutenant
CommanderMerchant
Marine1942–1945 Died
1969
Fay, Thomas P. Captain Army1944–1946 1948–1949
Benemerenti Medal Died 1988
Finnegan, Bernard J. Commander Navy1945–19461950–1957
Died 1979
Foley, John P.Lieutenant
CommanderNavy 1942–1946 Died
1995
Gallagher, Frederick A. Commander Navy 1942–1946 Died 1964
Geary, James F. Captain Army 1944–1946 Died 1980
Hennessey, Thomas P.Lieutenant
ColonelArmy
1943–19481951–1968
Bronze Star Died 1978
Howard, Edward F. Captain Army 1969–1971 Living
new england province military chaplains, 1918 – 2014 (cont)
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NAME RANK BRANCH YEARS AWARDSSTATUS AS OF 2014
Hurld, John L. Captain Army 1952–1970 Died 1970
Huss, Harry L. Captain Navy 1942–1946 Died 1976
Keane, Robert L. Captain Navy 1990–2012Navy Commendation
Medal (4), Meritorious Service Medal (3)
Living
Kelleher, John J. Majot Army 1944–1964 Died 1964
Kenealy, William J.Lieutenant
CommanderNavy 1943–1946 Died
1974
Kennedy, Walter E. Major Army 1944–1946 Died 1966
King, George A. Major Army 1942–1946 Died 1965
Leonard, William J. Captain Army 1944–1946 Died 2000
Long, John J.Lieutenant
Colonel Army
1942–19461947–1956
Died 1964
Lynch, Daniel J.BrigadierGeneral
Army1918–1919 1941–1942
Purple Heart Died 1952
Lyons, John F. Captain Army 1944–1947 Left SJ 1952
MacDonald, Francis J.Lieutenant
Commander Navy 1942–1946 Died
1979
MacLeod, Harry C.Lieutenant
CommanderNavy 1942–1946 Left SJ
1951
McCauley, Leo P.Lieutenant
CommanderNavy 1943–1946 Died
1993
new england province military chaplains, 1918 – 2014 (cont)
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NAME RANK BRANCH YEARS AWARDSSTATUS AS OF 2014
McLaughlin, James D.Lieutenant
CommanderNavy 1943–1946 Died
1977
Mellett, Robert C. Captain Navy 1963–1987 Died 1990
Monahan, John C. Lieutenant Navy 2006– Active
Morgan, Carl H. Captain Army 1945–1954 Left SJ 1954
Murphy, Francis J. Captain Army 1945–1948 Died 1995
Murphy, George M. Major Army 1938–1946Army Commendation
MedalDied 1971
Murphy, Paul J. Lieutenant Navy 1944–1946 Died 1990
O’Brien, Vincent deP.MaritimeService
1945 Died 1987
O’Callahan, Joseph T. Commander Navy 1940–1946Medal of Honor,
Purple HeartDied 1964
O’Connor, Daniel F.X.Lieutenant
CommanderNavy 1942–1946 Died
1958
O’Keefe, Leo P. Captain Army 1944–1946 Died 1991
Passero, Ernest F. Commander Navy 1974–1992Navy CommendationMedal (2), Navy and
Marine Overseas Ribbon
Living
Reardon, Charles J. Captain Army 1944–1946 Died 1991
new england province military chaplains, 1918 – 2014 (cont)
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NAME RANK BRANCH YEARS AWARDSSTATUS AS OF 2014
Roddy, Charles M. Captain Army 1943–1946 Died 1967
Rooney, Richard L. Captain Army 1944–1946 Died 1977
Ryan, Daniel F. Captain Army 1943–1946 Died 1970
St. John, John D. ColonelArmy
Air Force1942–1946 1949–1965
Bronze StarAir Force
CommendationMedal (2)
Died 1992
Shanahan, Joseph P. Lieutenant Navy 1944–1946 Left SJ 1950
Shanahan, Thomas A.Lieutenant
ColonelArmy 1942–1946 Bronze Str Died
1963
Shea, Richard G.CaptainMajor
ArmyAir Force
1942–19461951–1956
Died 1984
Sheridan, Robert E. Major Army 1942–1946Army Commendation
MedalDied 1978
Smith, Lawrence C.Lieutenant
CommanderMarines 1989–2003 Living
Stinson, William M. First Lieutenant Army 1918–1919 Died 1935
Stockman, Harold V.Lieutenant
CommanderNavy 1943–1948 Died
1962
Sullivan, Francis V. Commander Navy 1942–1946 Died 1972
Travers, David O. Commander Navy 1977–1996 Living
new england province military chaplains, 1918 – 2014 (cont)
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YEAR NUMBER YEAR NUMBER
1942 8 1957 6
1943 21 1958 6
1944 32 1959 6
1945 49 1960 7
1946 54 1961 6
1947 7 1962 7
1948 6 1963 7
1949 6 1964 7
1950 6 1965 6
1951 10 1966 5
1952 11 1967 5
1953 9 1968 5
1954 9 1969 5
1955 8 1970 3
1956 6 1971 2
new england province military chaplains, number by year
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YEAR NUMBER YEAR NUMBER
1972 2 1987 3
1973 3 1988 4
1974 3 1989 5
1975 4 1990 5
1976 5 1991 5
1977 4 1992 4
1978 3 1993 4
1979 4 1994 3
1980 4 1995 4
1981 4 1996 3
1982 4 1997 2
1983 4 1998 2
1984 3 1999 2
1985 3 2000 1
1986 4 2001 1
new england province military chaplains, number by year (cont)
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YEAR NUMBER YEAR NUMBER
2002 1 2009 2
2003 1 2010 2
2004 1 2011 2
2005 2 2012 1
2006 2 2013 1
2007 2 2014 1
2008 2
new england province military chaplains, number by year (cont)
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CHAPLAINNUMBER OF
YEARS SERVED
John J. Kelleher, S.J. (Army)* 1944–1964
John D. St. John, S.J. (Air Force)* 1949–1965
Bernard J. Finnegan, S.J. (Navy)* 1950–1957, 1961, 1965
John L. Barry, S.J. (Army)* 1951–1970
Thomas P. Hennessey, S.J. (Army)* 1951–1968
John L. Hurld, S.J. (Army) 1952–1970
Peter T. Farrelly, S.J. (Army) 1957–1977
Robert C. Mellett, S.J. (Navy) 1963–1987
Raymond V. Dunn, S.J. (Navy) 1966
Edward F. Howard, S.J. (Army) 1969–1971
Herbert J. Cleary, S.J. (Navy) 1970
Ernest F. Passero, S.J. (Navy) 1974–1992
William J. Burke, S.J. (Navy) 1975–1984
David O. Travers, S.J. (Navy) 1977–1996
Neal J. DeStefano, S.J. (Marines) 1987–1997
Lawrence C. Smith, S.J. (Marines) 1989–2000
Robert L. Keane, S.J. (Navy) 1989–2012
John C. Monahan, S.J. (Navy) 2006–
*AlsoservedinWorldWarII
new england province military chaplains, post world war II
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PhotoGallery
newenglandjesuitchaplains–worldwarii,WestonCollege,August21,1946
photo: Archives of the Society of Jesus of New England, College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA
TOPROW: ARMY:JohnF.Devlin(Captain),WalterE.Kennedy(Captain),AnthonyG.Carroll(Major),HarryL.Huss(Major),CharlesJ.Reardon(Captain),ThomasA.Brennan(Captain),WilliamJ.Duffy(Captain),JohnJ.Long(Lt.Col.)
3rd
ROW: ARMY:GeorgeA.King(Major),RobertE.Sheridan(Captain),DanielR.Ryan(Captain),ThomasP.Fay(Captain),ThomasA.Shanahan(Lt.Col.),JohnL.Clancy(Major),LeoP.O’Keefe(Captain),JohnL.Barry(Captain),J.BryanConnors(Captain),ThomasP.Hennessey(Captain)
2nd
ROW: NAVY:FrederickA.Gallagher(Captain),FrancisJ.MacDonald(Lt.Cmdr.),JosephP.Shanahan(Lieut.),LeoP.Mc-Cauley(Lt.Cmdr.),DanielF.X.O’Connor(Lt.Cmdr.),WilliamJ.Kenealy(Lt.Comdr.),BernardR.Boylan(Lieut.),BernardJ.Finnegan(Lieut.),PaulJ.Murphy(Lieut.),JohnP.Foley(Lt.Comdr.),JamesD.McLaughlin(Lt.Comdr.),VincentdePaulO’Brien(Lieut.),JohnL.Bonn(Lieut.),MichaelJ.Doody(Lt.Comdr.),FrancisV.Sullivan(Cmdr.)
FRONTROW: ARMY:JohnJ.Dugan(Lt.Col.),RichardG.Shea(Captain),LaurenceM.Brock(Major),FrancisJ.Murphy(Captain),DanielJ.Lynch(Colonel),Fr.ProvincialJohnJ.McEleney,JamesJ.Dolan(Major),JamesF.Geary(Captain),JeremiahF.Coleman(Captain),CarlH.Morgan(Captain),WilliamJ.Leonard(Captain)
ABSENT: JosephP.Curran(Captain),ThomasA.Fay(Lt.Cmdr.),JohnJ.Kelleher(Lt.Col.),JohnF.Lyons(Captain),HarryC.MacLeod(Lt.Cmdr.),GeorgeM.Murphy(Major),JosephT.O’Callahan(Cmdr.),CharlesM.Roddy(Captain),Rich-ardL.Rooney(Captain),JohnD.St.John(Colonel),HaroldV.Stockman(Lt.Cmdr.)
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photo gallery | to love and serve
bostoncollegechaplains–worldwarii
photo: Archives of the Society of Jesus of New England, College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA
SEATED: Francis V. Sullivan (Cmdr.), William J. Leonard (Captain), Leo P. McCauley (Lt. Cmdr.), Richard G. Shea (Captain), William J. Kenealy (Lt. Cmdr.), Daniel J. Lynch (Brig. Gen.), Vincent de P. O’Brien (Lieut.),George A. King (Major)
STANDING: Daniel F.X. O’Connor (Lt. Cmdr.), James D. McLaughlin (Lt Cmdr.), Francis J. MacDonald (Lt. Cmdr.), James F. Geary (Captain), Anthony G. Carroll (Major), Carl H. Morgan (Captain), John L. Bonn (Lieut.), John P. Foley (Cmdr.), Joseph P. Shanahan (Lieut.)
93 | photo gallery
photo gallery | to love and serve
holycrosscollegechaplains–worldwarii
photo: Archives of the Society of Jesus of New England, College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA
frontrow: Frederick A. Gallagher (Cmdr.), John F. Devlin (Captain), Joseph T. O’Callahan (Cmdr.), J. Bryan Connors (Captain), Michael J. Doody (Lt. Cmdr.)
backrow: John L. Clancy (Major), Paul J. Murphy (Lieut.), Thomas A. Shanahan (Lt. Col.), Bernard J. Finnegan (Cmdr.), Charles J. Reardon (Captain)