United States Navy Chaplain Corps - Yearbook

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il. Rainbow Village-Site of Little Switch. An overall view of the village set up by the lst Engineers Battalion. The main entrance is on the left. Chaplain of the Year-Reserve Oficers Association The Reserve Officers' Association chose Chaplain Sobel as the Chaplain of the Yearl' Q1955j noting his work with Marines in Korea. The Four Chaplains Award was made by the Department of the District of Columbia at the dedication of the 2 p100,000 Four Chaplains Memorial Fountain at National Memorial Park, Falls Church, Va., on 25 September 1955. Chaplain E. B. Harp, Jr., Chief of Chaplains accepted for Chaplain Sobel who was stationed overseas at the time. In part the citation read, As the only Jewish Chaplain in the Marine Division he, without regard to his own personal safety, made frequent trips to the front lines and spent many days and nights with the men under heavy artillery and mortar fire in order to bring them the strength and consolation of their faith as well as many physical comforts and food. Disregarding his personal comfort, he ministered to the spiritual needs of the wounded and dying at the front lines, forward aid stations, and medical companies of the Division. As a result of his spirit of self-sacrifice he was wounded in action. Truce Talks The resumption of the truce talks in April which were to lead to Little Switch focused world atten- tion upon the participants in the true talks. Some in- dication of the character of the chief U.N. negotiator may be gained by the comments of two chaplains. Chaplain Newman stated that he served as Protestant Chaplain in the United Nations Peace Camp, conduct- ing services for the delegates at Munsan-Ni. He testi- ties that Maj. Gen. William K. Harrison was a frequent attendant at these services and that he gave encouragement to the chaplain in his work. Chaplain Schnick while serving with the lst Service Battalion also conducted worship services at the United Na- tions Base Camp. He tells of General Harrison, as he was leaving one of the services, taking the hand of the chaplain and saying, Chaplain, you believe in the Bible, don't you? Chaplain Schnick replied Yes, sir, I do. The chaplain states, He then said, in a way I won't forget and with feeling 'I do too.' This was one of the most memorable experiences that I had while serving in Korea. Little Switch Finally on 20 April the day had come when the prisoners, some of them after long periods of cap- tivity, were to be returned. The Division Chaplain writes to Chaplain Harp concerning the exchange of prisoners, commonly called 'KLittle Switch, which occurred on 20 April, Today was a day of liberation for some of our prisoners of war who came through Panmunjom into open arms and 174-

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V Chaplain Edward Kelly, Roman Catholic, is re- ported 5 holding the services on Palm Sunday for the veterans of Outpost Vegas by John Casserly. The reporter records. I looked about the small, windblown tent at the faces of these young men. Some of their lips trembled out swift, short prayers. Others had their heads bowed, almost rest- ing them on the backs of crude wooden benches . . . A young leatherneck's field pants were ripped down the left leg from the hip to his ankle. The back of his right boot was cut away. He wiped bleary eyes on a sleeve that had hit the dirt many times. He walked to the Communion rail with a limp. Others followed .... After the service a sergeant asked, What about the men on Reno?,' . . . He quickly added: What about the last few men?'l They're all gone, I said. He looked away and put his helmet on and began walk- ing down the steep hill . . . Shortly after the battle a Marine correspondent, T. Sgt. Bill Daum, described a memorial service con ducted by a chaplain, With the First Marine Division in Korea- Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. The words echoed between the brown hills and were swept away on a chill spring wind. This was Korea. The men assembled with bowed heads were Marines-members of the 5th Regiment-gathered in a. memorial service for buddies killed in action on bloody Vegas. Most of these men had lost someone during the 3-day siege which saw first Chinese, then Marines, holding the battered knob. Anyone watching the hundreds of battle- hardened Leathernecks would find it hard to believe that 10 days before, this silent, prayful group had shattered one Red assault after another in a life and death struggle. Battalion commanders called off a somber roll: Marines who would never again answer up at a muster. These were the dead. Three volleys rang out and were lost on that same chill wind which took the chaplain's prayer. Then came Taps , the finale in this drama of battle, its emotions and men. Two chaplains were released from duty with the Marines in June and were presented with awards? The first was Chaplain John P. Byrnes who was awarded the Bronze Star with a Combat UV. His citation reads in part, When elements of the regiment were sommitted to the main line of resistance and subjected to intense enemy ac- tion, he traveled over roads that were under constant enemy ' In the Philadelphia Inquirer, 30 March 1953. ' These awards are noted here because of their application to this period. observation administering both spiritual and physical aid to the wounded. Disrcgarding his personal comfort, he made continuous daily visits to men on the front line exerting every effort to render spiritual guidance to those in need of his services. Often, whenever patrols and raids were con- ducted forward of the main lines, he would spend long hours awaiting their return to be of whatever assistance he could.' The second was Chaplain Gerald E. Kuhn who received the Commendation Medal with the authori- zation of a Combat HV, concerning this award was the following statement in part, He provided moral and spiritual guidance and comfort to the personnel of the regiment and during periods when the unit was engaged in extensive combat operations, he disre- garded his personal safety and comfort in order to assist in caring for the sick and wounded. Although frequently ex- posed to the hazards of enemy small arms, mortar and ar- tillery fire, fhel helped evacuate the wounded and tendered spiritual consolation and peace to the severely injured. Chaplain Walter Nordby, who was involuntarily re- called to active duty, wrote, I have learned much more during this tour in Korea and Pendleton than I did all during the last war. I am sold on the Marine Corps 100 percent. My ministry has surely been a rich one with the Marines. In reserve my Character Guidance lectures were very well received with good discus- sions following. After the word got around that I wasn't trying to deliver sermons I even had the company command- ers and platoon leaders attending. Things like that made me feel like a part of the fighting team. It was at Easter time that Chaplain Matthew Strumski crusaded for Peace in Korea by traveling with an officially consecrated Pilgrim Virgin Statue sent from the Bishop of Fatima, Portugal. Chaplain Samuel Sobel, Jewish Chaplain, was de- tached from the Division on 13 April. He was awarded a Bronze Star for his activity. His citation states in part, Carrying out frequent trips to the front lines, he imparted strength and peace of mind to the troops throughout many days and nights while under heavy enemy artillery and mor- tar fire. Conscientious in his devotion to the fulfillment of his mission, he ministered to the spiritual needs of the wounded and dying at the front lines, forward aid stations and medical companies of the division. His inspiring efforts, resourceful initiative and unswerving devotion to duty throughout reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant Sobel and the United States Naval Service' 'This chaplain was also awarded the Purple Heart for wounds sustained 27 February 1953. sThe Purple Heart was also awarded for wounds sus- tained on 29 March 1953. -173-

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warm hearts at Freedom Village in the lst Marine Division sector. Everything possible was done to welcome them and make them comfortable. This event marked one of the greatest opportunities for chaplains in the U.S. Naval Service. We were standing in our section of the processing lines by our altars ready to extend the hand of Christian fellowship to soldiers and Marines of many nations. They were eager and happy to receive our spiritual ministry. Many wept with joy in their hearts. We had prayer with them. We served Holy Com- lmuniong gave them New Testaments, Missals, and rosaries. We made our sections as attractive as possible by getting flowers from the hillsides. We pinned the religious posters, church pennants, and spare altar cloths to the walls of the tents. The impression on the prisoners was terrific-as well as on generals, newspaper men, photographers, and all hands who were engaged in the processing work. I was never so proud and humble in trying to minister as a military chap- lain. I remember one man who wanted me to read a few verses from the Bible. He had been a prisoner for 29 months, I read the 23d Psalm. If I had not known it from memory I would have stalled on the verse: Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me. Both his and my eyes were full of tears. Then I read the Beatitudes and a part of I cor. 13. It seems that they were allowed to conduct church services by holding prayer meetings and singing a few familiar songs from memory while prisoners. The ones with whom I talked aid that they did not have any clergyman or priests to elp them. Tomorrow we will be back. Our chaplains in the lines nd medical companies are ministering to battle casualties very day and night. Every chaplain I have is doing a wonderful job. This letter speaks for itself, and bears eloquent testi- mony as to the work of the chaplains on this memo- rable day. Chaplain Meachum's own activity was pictured in a number of press releases. There are other accounts of Little Switch as given by participating chaplains. The chaplains had ar- ranged folding altars at the exchange site for Protes- tants, Catholics and jews in one of the long rows of hospital tents erected by the United Nations. Their part in the operation became quickly apparent when the first 50 American prisoners arrived and sought first of all spiritual comfort after their long ordeal of sickness, pain, and captivity. Of those first 50, 35 took communion as their Hrst act of freedom. A number of the chaplains state that much of the credit for setting up the program should go to Chap- lain Meachum. The men were brought in ambu- lances from the Panmunjom exchange point and un- loaded. They were separated into four lines which went through two tents each. In the first tent Chap- lain E. Vaughan Lyons, Jr., states that, the returnee . . . was given a physical examination, preliminary medi- cal treatment, and a new issue of clothing. He was then taken to the records section to establish identity and clarify his status. From there he was ushered into the press tent for interviews by representatives of the press, provided the returnee was willing for such an interview. From the press he was taken to the nourishment section where he sat down and was given a cup of soup or coffee. It was at this stage that chaplains talked with the men. Chaplain Leo F. Rice, Roman Catholic, de- Freedom Sign A marine of the lst Engineer Battalion puts the finishing touches on the sign to be placed at the medical camp where the prisoners will be received. 1. 'e' -g,:L,e.L.t:. ' .... - . - i l K., Released POW Pfc. Billy Brown talks with Chaplain Andrew J. Barry, Jr., upon arrival at Freedom Village.