United States Navy Chaplain Corps - Yearbook

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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-

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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

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Field Mass. Chaplain John J. O'Neill celebrates mass in the field for marines at a forward position. meritorious conduct . . . as Division Chaplain for a Marine division during operations against the enemy in Korea from 8 October 1951 to 16 April 1952. The citation continues: Commander Peck displayed exceptional ability and fore- sight in caring for the spiritual welfare of all the Marines coming under his jurisdiction. An understanding and capa- ble leader, wise and persevering, he organized his section in such an outstanding manner that spiritual services and guidance were always available to those who were in the greatest need. Frequently making journeys throughout the entire division in the most adverse conditions of weather and terrain, he worked long and arduous hours with little con- cem for his personal health, in order to insure that all Marines received the opportunity to attend services in their own particular faith. Chaplain John O'Neill was awarded the Air Medal for the period 19 November 1951 to 8 January 1952. His citation reads in part: Utilizing air transportation to reach the front line units, Lieutenant fjg.j O'Neill repeatedly flew over action combat areas in a slow, unarmed aircraft to conduct religious services for friendly troops at the front. Chaplain O'Neill also received the Letter of Com- mendation award for action on 8 January 1952. When well-entrenched enemy forces gained fire superi- ority over a Marine patrol, inflicting heavy casualties, Lieu- tenant O'Neill left his battalion command post immediately and proceeded to the scene of the battle in order to give spiritual aid to members of the patrol. Alone and unarmed, with no thought for his own personal safety, he fearlessly worked his way through intense enemy fire to reach the patrol and for 45 minutes exposed himself while adminis- tering last rites to the wounded and dying. To the other members of the patrol, his shouted words of encouragement served as a constant source of inspiration. Ridge-Runners Rewarded Five other chaplains received the Letter of Com- mendation with Combat V for periods of service terminating within the 7th Campaign. It is instruc- tive to read their citations, noting how frequently is mentioned their ministry to small Marine units dug in on the mountainous slopes of northeastern Korea. The citation of Chaplain Robert N. Ruleman, for the period 14 September 1951 to 17 January 1952, reads in part: On numerous occasions he refused opportunities to retire to safer areas in the rear. His creed lay in serving with the Fighting Man, and regardless of the situation he remained with the front line troops. Whether it was to solace the weary, comfort the wounded, or dispense the Word of God, he discharged his responsibilities in a manner which pro- vided a reverent inspiration to all who observed him. Chaplain William E. Brooks, Jr., was cited for the period from 29 October 1951 to 29 January 1952. While the regiment was committed in defensive action against the enemy, he personally visited every man on the front lines many times. He conducted divine services in the forward-most areas when it was impossible for men to attend services elsewhere. Chaplain Vincent Lonergan's citation, covering the period from 28 October 1951 to 4 February 1952, indicates how widespread a chaplain's ministry might be. Lieutenant Commander Lonergan, serving as the regi- ment's Catholic chaplain, worked tirelessly with complete disregard for his health and personal safety, to give spiritual aid not only to the men in the regiment but to two medical companies, Army engineers, Marine engineers, and Marine service troops. On one occasion he fearlessly exposed him- self to intense enemy fire to give spiritual consolation to the wounded Marines of an artillery battery and to members of an infantry regiment's command post. Chaplain Joseph P. F. Gallagher was commended for service as a regimental chaplain from 16 January to 4 April 1952. Working for the most part under the most adverse ter- rain and climate conditions, and often in areas that were exposed to enemy mortar and small arms fire, he faithfully held services for and administered to the men and oflicers of the regiment. The citation accompanying Chaplain Robert G. F enning's award, covering the period 25 January-30 April 1952, states the case very explicitly. He constantly ministered to the spiritual needs of the men in the battalion by going from bunker to bunker in order not to assemble a group of men where they could be -128-