United States Navy Chaplain Corps - Yearbook

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Flying Chaplain. Chaplain Leo F. Rice adjusts his parachute in preparation for a takeoff in a Marine aerial observation plane. His destina- tion is the camp of a Marine observation squadron and his mission is to hold mass. -lll...-. l counsel and words of encouragement to Marines during intense enemy mortar and artillery fire. On one occasion, ignoring his own safety, he skillfully assisted in the evacuation of one wounded and two dead Marines. During a critical 3-day period when a strategic position was being subjected to vicious hostile attacks, he continually attended to the spiritual needs of wounded Marines brought to the battalion aid Statlon. Although the citations may sound repetitious, it is a repetition which brings great glory to the U.S. Naval Chaplain Corps. Attention is called to Chaplain Crabtreeis work with civilians in his citation. His effective personal contacts with the large Korean ci- vilian population throughout the sector and his support of Korean religious and charitable organizations established cordial relations which assisted materially in the successful accomplishment of the unit's assigned mission. Chaplain Rice writing on 20 July concerning his return from the front, tells of his work with the Com- bat Service Group in Masan. He states that the 'gbig problem here is to keep the men busy on the compound so that the moral problems can be lickedfl Academic work and vocational courses were offered and plans were laid for hobby programs. A citation in connec- tion with the award of a Bronze Star on October 1953 states that he continually demonstrated . . . Exceptional ability in dealing with the most difficult religious, morale and personal problems. His skillful coordi- nation and efficient administration of the charitable efforts of the command increased the prestige of the United States Forces in the area. Disregarding his personal fatigue, he conscientiously worked extremely long hours in order to effectively discharge his responsibilities. Concerning his previous work the citation has this to say: . . . he frequently went to the scene of battle to administer last rites to the dead and offer prayers for the wounded. He diligently visited the sick and wounded in hospitals and regularly visited refugee villages in the vicinity of the regi- ment to offer religious guidance to the predominantly Christian population. In the absence of chaplains in other United Nations units, he visited those units to conduct serv- ices and attend to the religious needs of the personnel. Another Roman Catholic Chaplain, john T. Moore, received the Bronze Star for the period 2 April- 1 August. One learns that: When the infantry companies and other elements of the regiment were committed to the main line of resistance and subjected to intense action, he expressed complete disregard for his personal safety and traveled over roads that were under constant enemy observation and frequent mortar and artillery fire in order to carry out his duties. He was continuously on hand at forward aid stations adminis- tering both spiritual and physical aid to the wounded men. He made daily visits to the men on the main line of resist- ance, holding services in bunkers and exerting every effort to administer spiritual guidance to the men.3 f'Sunday Routinej' A Marine Correspondent, M. Sgt. James F. Frye writes of the Chaplainls Sunday activity. He fol- lowed Chaplain Homer L. Schnick, Southern Baptist, of the 7th Regiment. There were four services that day. The regimental service consisted of Marines and a British Commonwealth Division. Late in the after- noon there was a visit to the MLR, . . . the busy chaplain climbed precipitous hills to reach defensive positions sprinkled over rugged countryside so he could spend time with those in need of his advice and counself' The lst Marine Air Wing Most of the information on the work of the Chap- lains of the Wing comes from their citations. Men- tion has been made of Chaplain E. C. Mulligan's Commendation, but it should also be noted that he was instrumental in the establishment of a special Catholic Orphanage nursery for destitute infants at Pohang, Korea. He enhanced goodwill for United Nations forces through his ceaseless endeavors to aid needy civilians and by main- 3 Chaplain Moore was wounded the day before the truce was signed, and thus became the last naval chaplain casualty of the Korean conflict. Chaplain Willetts was wounded about 2 weeks earlier.

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First, I thought of our front line troops who have been fighting in the Division in Korea since August 3, 1950. Of course, many who fought with this Division have gone home. Such places as Inchon, Chosen Basin, Seoul, Pusan Perim- eter. In these places the Marines fought a moving war, but on March 15, 1952, this Division moved from the east coast to the west coast of the 155 mile battle front and relieved the ROKs about 30 miles north west of Seoul with Pan- Munjan located in the center of our front. Here we have fought a bloody, vicious, trench, bunker, and outpost stalemate. Patrols went out in front of the Main Line of Resistance each night. Artillery pounded and planes rained fire on the enemy around the clock until 10 p.m., july 27, 1953. The last 27 days of fighting were as vicious as any battles previously fought. I went to a battalion command post on the 27th to visit Chaplain E. O. Floyd. While talking to him, a young Ma- rine who was muddy and tired walked up to us and asked for communion. His request was from a heart of gratitude that the firing had stopped. - At another battalion, I found Chaplain C. P. Hoff wet with perspiration at the close of a thanksgiving service. In the same chapel where he had conducted his service, Chap- lain R. E. Brengartner was holding Mass. And so it was with other chaplains all along the line. For the officers and men there was rest and sleep-a chance to bathe and wash clothes. Yet they know that the job here is not over until the terms of the truce have been effected. Second, I thought of answered prayers. Here is a quote from a letter which I picked up on the battle front: I would love to see you tonight. Well, Ray, you be good and pray. I am praying for you every day and night for the dear Lord to watch over you and take care of you and bring you back home safe and all right. The dear Lord is good and He will hear and answer prayers if we have faith in Him and put our trust in Him. Love, Motherf, The above statement is virtually the same thing that Lt. General William K. Harrison, the head of our truce delega- tion, said to me on Monday when I commented in his quar- ters at Base Camp that I know he is happy that the pressure on him will be relieved now that a truce has been signed. Third, I thought when I heard the last firing mission of our 155-mm howitzer-the battery fired about an hour be- fore the flares were fired over the battle lines signaling cease fire-How long will our guns remain silent in the face of our enemy? I hope that I will never have to hear them bark again. When will human beings stop trying to destroy each other? One fact remains evident. We must be alert and on guard until the Communists show good faith in trying to bring about peace. Fourth, the Christian and charitable relations cultivated between the officers and men of the 8th Army and Koreans make this beautiful country one of the most promising mis- sion fields in the world. The old oriental religions are empty and do not hold inspiration, hope, and salvation. Koreans are turning to Christianity. Conditions here are as they were in the Greek and Roman culture during the 1st century when Christianity overcame paganism. Awards: A number of chaplains were recognized for their fine work during this period. Chaplain Newman was again decorated. This time it was the Bronze Star. Concerning his work the citation informs one that: Working long hours under adverse conditions, he person- ally met each casualty as he arrived at the aid stations, re- gardless of the hour, both day and night. He wrote to the realtives of each man, regardless of the seriousness of the disability and followed the initial correspondence with prog- ress report letters. He spent countless hours traveling to various aid stations and hospitals where casualties of the battalion had been evacuated for treatment. Despite the extreme danger, he often held religious services on the main line of resistance and voluntarily advanced to the outpost positions forward of the main lines in order to be of service to the Marines in these exposed areas. Through his deter- mined efforts and understanding attitude, he restored con- fidence in many of the battle weary Marines who had been sent to rear areas as a result of excessive front line duty. The other Bronze Star was awarded to Chaplain, Elmer F. Ernst 1 . . . he frequently made visits to tank crewmen who were manning positions on the main line of resistance. Expressing complete disregard for his personal safety, he repeatedly exposed himself to murderous hostile mortar and artillery fire in order to reach the tank crewmen and offer them spiritual guidance. He voluntarily and habitually was aboard armored vehicles when they were employed in the evacuation of wounded Marines and so was enabled to render aid, spiritual assistance and consolation to the many wounded. The Commendation Metal Pendantu with Combat Vw was awarded to Chaplain John B. Conlon, Roman Catholic, Chaplain Roger L. Crabtree, Methodist, and Chaplain Samuel D. Chambers. Chaplain Conlon . . displayed outstanding ability and professional skill. His highly commendable ministrations to the wounded and sick aided immeasurably in the excellent morale sustained among the patients. When heavy casualties arrived, he demonstrated outstanding attention to duty and personally rendered spiritual guidance and advice to those in need. Throughout the entire period, he diligently brought to each wounded Marine consolation and spiritual comfort which contributed materially in the treatment of pain and suffering. It is said of Chaplain Crabtree that . . . he exhibited tireless efforts and outstanding attention to duty as he regularly visited the widely scattered elements of the battalion, as well as the provisional regiment of which the battalion was a part, in order to minister to the needs of the men. Sustaining an exceptionally vigorous schedule, he normally conducted 14 religious services each week. These included services at the forward elements of the unit where he was sometimes exposed to enemy artillery and mortar fire. Of Chaplain Chambers it is said that On numerous occasions, he disregarded his personal safety and visited the main line of resistance units in order to render -190-

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taining liaison with the Korean Catholic Bishop of the Taegu Diocese . . . Dedicated to the humanitarian prin- ciples embodied in the precepts of his faith, Commander Mulligan's activities resulted directly in greater comfort and welfare for hundreds of helpless Korean families and orphans and enhanced the morale and efficiency of the lst Marine Aircraft Wing. He was detached in June. Chaplain Parker was relieved as Wing Chaplain in May by Chaplain Allen Jones, Presbyterian, US. On 25 June Chaplain John Burns relieved Chaplain Mulligan. Chaplain Gordon Griffin reported aboard in May. Chaplain Lineberger left in May. He had been cited by the Korean government and also had been awarded the Bronze Star. For the latter it was said that he . . . supervised the construction and furnishing of Lal chapel where he instituted regular classes in religious instruction, and often led services for congregations of other religious denominations when chaplains for those faiths were com- mitted elsewhere in the forward area. Sparing no efforts to aid the less fortunate in the war-torn country, he participated in the establishment of two separate orphanages for helpless Korean children and was largely responsible for the creation of the United States Marine Memorial Children's Clinic designated to provide advance medical care for destitute women and children in the vicinity of Pohang, In addition, he was instrumental in the purchase of rice land for hungry Koreans and in the delivery of tons of clothing and toys to needy civilians in the combat zone. By his inspiring efforts, resourceful initiative and unswerving devotion to duty, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Lineberger directly aided in increasing the health, comfort, and welfare of hundreds of helpless Korean families and orphans and contributed mate- rially to the overall morale and efiiciency of the two Marine Aircraft Groups. The citation by Korea was like the one received by Chaplain Parker. It concluded, His demonstration of energetic efforts and generosity in working for the betterment of the Korean war orphans left homeless in the midst of the war in which the peace- loving people stand firm in the path of aggression to safe- guard freedom and human dignity has elicited the highest possible praise from all those cognizant of his Fine spirit. Chaplain Fenstermacher tells of his contacts with the Korean chaplainsf In Pusan I had contacts with the chaplains of the Republic of Korea Navy Chaplain Corps. Their Chief of Chaplains, Cmdr. D. B. Chung, ChC, ROKN, had his offices there. My first contact with the ROK Navy chaplains, however, came through their Senior Chaplain of the Korean Marine Corps, Lt. Cmdr. C. S. Park, who visited me at our Battalion Headquarters early in January 1953. Chaplain Park and I discussed the work of a chaplain in general, as well as the language barrier . . . I helped him out with quantities 4Cp. pp. 107Ff. M 192 of chaplain supplies . . . I met the Chief of Chaplains, as well as all his chaplains who served the ROK Navy and Marine Corps, nine altogether. All are men consecrated to God as far as I could see, serious about their work, and hard workers. On 14 June 1953 I was guest preacher at a Divine Service in which we commemorated the Fifth Anniversary of Chap- lain activities in the ROK Navy. I preached in English and Chaplain Chung interpreted what I said in Korean. The service was held in the Korean Navy Church in Pusan, the church being set up iri the well deck of an LST which is tied up to the dock at Pier No. 1 in Pusan and used for church services every Sunday. Nearly 500 attended this anniversary service, including high-ranking ROK Navy offi- cers, the ROK Navy Band, and a large well-trained choir. 'SMSTSH One chaplain 5 submits a very interesting account of a draft of Marines arriving in the Far East just after the truce had been signed. The lighting in Korea was very fierce last summer and replacement drafts from Camp Pendleton were seriously training for combat. I was given the task to accompany the July 1953 replacement draft to Korea. We were to travel on the USNS GEN. NELSON M. WALKER and there was a Protestant chaplain aboard. I was to conduct Catholic services for the men. It was a noisy group of Marines that I joined in San Diego, on July 16, 1953, The next afternoon we were given quite a farewell with the Marine Corps band and three generals to see us off. The approaching dangers of combat were forgotten for the moment as the ship sailed out of the harbor. Most of the men were looking at the pier for a last glimpse of a relative or friend. Others just gazed at the city and wondered when they would see San Diego again. The older men realized that some of these men would probably never see the United States again for they would be in combat in a few weeks. As we neared Japan the tension mounted and the men spent more time at church services, preparing their souls should they be called upon to sacrifice their lives. The news dispatches were avidly read daily. The mail boxes were always crammed with letters to mothers and fathers, to wives and sweethearts. But it was a wonderful feeling when the news of the truce reached us three days out of Japan. The carefree attitude of the young men returned and a prayer of thanksgiving was sent heavenward. We all looked forward to Japan and Korea confident that the danger of death was passed. The conditions of the truce made it impossible to enter Korea immediately and we went from Kobe, Japan to Sasebo, Japan where we spent 5 days. It gave us an opportunity to see a bit of the Japanese people and customs. Finally on August 7 we arrived at Inchon, Korea, and were put ashore. Again the conditions of the truce changed our plans. We were not allowed to bring any weapons ashore with us and all rifles and pistols were collected. IAJ provision of the truce specified that we could not add to our forces in Korea. So before we could land, troops to be taken to the United States, had to be taken aboard. We used a shuttle system. First 5 This account is credited to Chaplain Normand A. Ricard.