to love and serve copy.pdf2 Joseph H. Fichter, James Laynez, Jesuit. (St. Louis, B. Herder Book Co.,...

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


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


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


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


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


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


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.

15 | men for others


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.

16 | men for others


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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



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.



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



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



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



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



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)



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



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



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



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


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.

http://cdm.slu.edu/cdm/landingpage/collection/woodstock



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



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.



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



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).



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



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.



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



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



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.



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.



“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.”



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



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.



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,



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



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.



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



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



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-



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.’



“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.



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

InTheirOwnWords



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

InTheirOwnWords



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.

worship in wartime

InTheirOwnWords



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



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



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.



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

InTheirOwnWords



“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



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



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.



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



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



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



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.



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).



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



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-



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



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,



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



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.

80 | afterword

to love and serve

“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.

81 | appendices

appendices | to love and serve

Appendices

n NewEnglandProvinceMilitaryChaplains,1918–2014

n NewEnglandProvinceMilitaryChaplains,NumberbyYear,1942–2014

n NewEnglandProvinceMilitaryChaplains,PostWorldWarII

to love and serve

82 | appendices


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

83 | appendices



Dolan, James J. Major Army 1940–1946 Bronze Star Died 1952

Doody, Michael J.Lieutenant


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


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)

84 | appendices



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


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


1993


85 | appendices



McLaughlin, James D.Lieutenant


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


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


86 | appendices



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


1962

Sullivan, Francis V. Commander Navy 1942–1946 Died 1972

Travers, David O. Commander Navy 1977–1996 Living


87 | appendices


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

88 | appendices



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)

89 | appendices



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)

90 | appendices


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

91 | photo gallery

to love and serve

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.)

92 | photo gallery

photo gallery | to love and serve

bostoncollegechaplains–worldwarii


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


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)

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