United States Navy Chaplain Corps - Yearbook

Page 144 text:

munion and encouraging whoever might be carrying on religious activities. Chaplain J. Coffey was still aboard the BATAAN. Chaplain R. W. Moore, sewing in DesRon 9, replied in his questionnaire: During Holy Week 1952 it was arranged with the chap- lain in USS BATAAN to have him visit my destroyers for Roman Catholic masses, while I conducted Good Friday services in his ship and other Holy Week services in the re- maining destroyers. We were operating off the coast of Korea. These transfers were accomplished by helicopter. Two other escort carriers were operating in the war theater during this period. The BAIROKO had been in Korean waters from November 1950 to Sep- tember 1951, returning in December 1951, she was present until June 1952. Her chaplain was David M. Humphreys, from August 1950 to August 1952. The RENDOVA served in Korean waters only from Au- gust to December 1951. Chaplain Hugh T. McManus had been aboard since March. Easter I 952 Chaplain Salisbury had planned to visit Korea for Easter, 1952. Maj. Gen. John T. Selden, command- ing the lst Division, wrote to Salisbury expressing his hope that the visit could be accomplished. Invita- tions were extended to the Chief of Chaplains to preach at an all-Division Sunrise Service and else- where in the Division. But it was not to be possible. Salisbury wrote on 8 March, There are a number of matters which keep me here and my superiors feel that it would be best for me to remain within calling distance. During March the picture began to change. The following are excerpts from Peck's letters to the Chief of Chaplains: 11 MARCH 1952. It looks as if the worst of the winter is over. Our nights are cold, but the days are brisk, sunny springtime days-and it certainly lifts the spirits. On the military front it has been a week of a great deal of incoming mortar and artillery rounds. The men in our sector have taken a pounding and the chaplains of the 5th and 7th Marines have had a rough go of it making the ridge-lines on their rounds .... The order has gone out prohibiting any walking of the ridge-line during the daylight not dictated by absolute military necessity. Therefore the chaplains are experimenting with covering the lines during the evening hours, talking to men in bunkers. 17 MARCH 1952. There is considerable activity here right now. I cannot say more except to advise you that some of my next letters may have to be handwritten, although I will do my best to type them, since I always send copies to the CINCPAC Fleet Chaplain and the FMF Chaplain. -126 Peck was referring to a major move then under- way. Until 12 March 1952 the Division had been located on the east flank of the X Corps sector, with the ROK I Corps between it and the Sea of Japan. In the middle of March it began moving to the west- ernmost end of the UN line. The excerpts from Peckls letters to Chaplain Salisbury continue: 26 MARCH 1952. We are moved and back in business. The situation is en- tirely new and in a great state of flux from a religious cover- age standpoint . . . I'm glad that Chaplain Slattery I:Peck's reliefl is here for he can learn this picture from the start and be in on whatever decisions have to be made .... There is even a larger geographical area we have to cover than we had before, but we are out of the mountains. There will be a VD problem here for we have many civilians around. That will get the chaplains into a phase of activity which we haven't needed to have during the winter. We are also located where we will get many church VIP's. I wrote once before they didn't get up into the moun- tains where we wintered but they are sure to come here. As it turns out, with conditions as they are here now, I'm sure you'11 Find your visit later in the year will be more satisfactory. In this turmoil we couldn't have done your visit justice. I am still going to have an Easter Sunrise Service but it will not be the all-Division affair I'd planned in the other area. We will have to have a number of them. 3 APRIL 1952. We have the problem of coverage pretty well in hand now. Palm Sunday, Holy Week, Easter, and Jewish Passover Serv- ices will all be held now, and everyone will have an op- portunity to participate. They moved units and then moved them again, until it was quite a race to keep our plans for total coverage up to date .... Field conditions create a need for flexibility that no other place demands. During Lent four Roman Catholic chaplains Uoseph P. F. Gallagher, john O'Neill, Vincent Lonergan, and James F. Follardj were able to con- duct a 3-day mission in a rear area. Each evening as approximately 500 personnel of the 5th Marines gathered in a makeshift chapel, the chaplains preached words of guidance and comfort 3 and through the cold, crisp air could be heard the sound of prayers for the repose of the souls of fallen com- rades, for world peace, and for protection amidst the perils and sin of the world. On Easter Day Chaplain John L. Curtis, 1st Sup- ply Battalion, conducted a Sunrise Service at Head- quarters, 8th Army fAdvancej, at Munsan-ni, the camp of the UN delegates, preached the sermon. fGenera1 Harrison was well-known for his personal interest in Christian faith, and active in the promotion of the Officers' Christian Union, an interservice asso- ciation of Protestant churchmen.j

Page 143 text:

'1 557 T-if E Y ' i 'iii-z Seder. Chaplain Reuben Siegel is shown with Lt. Col. Sidney J. Altman, division provost marshal, Chaplain Slattery, Mr. Peterson, Red Cross representative of the division, and Chaplain Ernest Wolfram as they partake of the Seder meal in celebration of Passover. Marines Sing Hymns. Voices of marines break the cold crisp night air in Korea as they sing adoration to God during a mission conducted in - preparation for the coming lenten season. -125-

Page 145 text:

N I Believe. Father James Follard, CP, teaches the beliefs of the Catholic faith during a mission conducted in Korea. Chaplains fleft to rightl lending their support are John O'Neill, Joseph Gallagher, and Vincent Lonergan. Chaplain Edward A. Slattery, having reported to the Division earlier, relieved Peck on 17 April. In his first letter as Division Chaplain to the Chief of Chaplains, he reported: On Easter we had over 80 Divine Services. In order to conduct them the boys hit the road for a total of well over 500 miles and that mileage is not on any straight smooth highway. Just before Peck was relieved he had been visited by his opposite number, the Reverend W. W. P. Rhys, senior chaplain to the Forces of the lst Com- monwealth Division, an Anglican priest, veteran of campaigns with the Royal Army in North Africa, East Africa, and Palestine. Slattery was present at the meeting. Toward the end of his duty Chaplain Peck wrote to Chaplain Salisbury: I can honestly say this tour of duty has taught me a great deal as a senior chaplain, and it has been a constant inspira- tion and challenge to see the way the chaplains give of them- selves to stomp these hills in the cold to visit their men. I feel like Bob Schwyhart lDivision Chaplain from September 1950 to 20 February 19511 who wrote me when I was com- ing out-he said he wouldn't want to go through it again, but he wouldn't take anything for the experience. I believe some of our most trying times are our most rewarding experiences. Citations Chaplain Peck was subsequently awarded the Le- gion of Merit with Combat V for exceptionally, Front Line Easter Services. Chaplain Melvin E. Torstrick conducts Easter moming services for the 3d Battalion, lst Marines, near the front lines. Relief. Chaplain Walter S. Peck, Jr., is relieved as division chaplain by Chaplain E. A. Slattery fleftj 17 April 1952. ..l. -fw ' -127-