United States Navy Chaplain Corps - Yearbook

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sau: 'A' . M74-'ff Memorial Services. The National Colors are carried to the 2d Battalion, 5th Marines Chapel as the memorial services begin in memory of the men in the battalion who have lost their lives in Korea. and clutching numerous papers as well as their ditty bags, the repatriates meet the chaplain at the fourth station? Chaplain Meachum says, 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 nationsf, The room was dominated by a large mural depicting the varied activities of chap- lains with the lst Marine Division. Chaplain Meachum describes the setting 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. The chaplain extends his hand in warm welcome to the serviceman. After a brief get acquainted period, the chaplain determines the religious affiliation of the man. If not of his own faith the man is introduced to a chaplain who is. The chaplains claim the men 3NoTE: Chaplain William H. Vinson tells us that as planning for 'Big Switch, came into its final stages, the many lessons learned during KLittle Switch' were applied. One of these lessons had to do with the chaplains section in the processing line. It was decided that food for the soul should come before the food for the body. In the previous opera- tion, the chaplains section was set up behind the nourishment section and offered very little privacy or atmosphere of reverence to the worshipersf' Rollcall. In a service conducted by Chaplain Peter J. Bakker the names are read of those who gave the supreme sacrifice and who were members of the 2d Battalion, 5th Marines. 535332 0460+-14 H 195

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CHAPTER ELEVEN ARMISTICE AFTERMATH 27 July 1953-27 July 1954 It was an uneasy truce but peace had come to a war torn area. The United States, as did the United Nations, recognized the Korean campaign as active for the campaign ribbon could still be earned for the period ending 27 July 1954.1 It is this date that has been considered as the end of the Korean Police Action. The summer was best known for g'Big Switchl' and then inevitably there was another Korean winter. By this time there were a number of shifts in personnel. The Ist Marine Division On 1 August the Divisions withdrew to lines stipu- lated by the Armistice agreement. Soon thereafter there began a very busy period for the Marines for on 5 August uOperation Big Switch was set in motion. This return of Allied prisoners of war began at L'Free- dom Village which was located in the lst Marine Division sector. On 4 September the lst Provisional Demilitarized Zone Military Police Company was activated from lst Division troops, for the purpose of enforcing the neutrality of the buffer zone between the territory of the United Nations and North Korea. Operation Big Switchl' was completed on 6 Septem- ber. The Division now devoted most of its time to training and position improvement and in the program of Armed Forces aid to Korea for reconstruction and rehabilitation of that war torn country. There was a short period ending on 21 January 1954, when the last of the prisoner exchanges took place with the transfer from the Division's area of those prisoners of war who refused to return to their lines. It is evident that many units held memorial services. The 2d Battalion, 5th Marines, had theirs on 9 August at which General Pate dedicated the memorial wreath. It was about this time that the commanding general also presented to the 30 division chaplains the new altar kits. These were described as 1 No engagement star was authorized as the actual Hghting had ceased. . . . resembling a woman's large shoulder pocketbook, are made of canvas and contain vestments, altar linen and all other necessities for conducting church services in the field. Eventually, they will be issued to Padres serving with all Marine divisions and to a few on small naval craft. Big Switch Now hear this. Now hear this. Over the loudspeaker comes an authoritative voice. Serial Two passed Check Point Five at one-zeroethree-two hours. Approximate time of arrival, 3 minutes. All processing personnel man your stations? 2 Marine M.P.'s, Navy corpsmen, Army and Marine per- sonnel men, Chaplain Meachum accompanied by four Prot- estant and four Catholic chaplains together with all others concerned with the reception of American repatriates move quickly to their posts. On a platform overlooking the entrance to the building, press photographers ready their cameras. Into the enclosure moves a line of ambulances, their great red crosses bright against squares of white. From them emerge young Americans of all sizes and shades of color, most of them in the shapeless blue cotton outfits furnished by the Chinese Communists but some stripped to their white cotton shorts, clutching ditty bags with their few personal belongings. Strong hands help them down from the vehicles, warm smiles greet them. Some shout Freedom! Freedom! Wonderful Freedom! Some hop out of the ambulances without saying a word, their eyes and expressions bespeak a new life and a new hope. A few are brought out on stretchers, but the greater part walk eagerly and unassisted through the wide doorway under the red and gold sign Gateway to Freedom. At the first station the returnees are dusted with dis- infectants to reduce the possibility of disease. Next they are given a preliminary medical check. It is determined whether they are physically fit to continue the rest of the processing which includes among other things an interview by the press and regular chow. Tags are given noting these facts. At the third station they are registered with repre- sentatives of the Adjutant General's Corps of Marine person- nel and the names of their next of kin are checked. The Adjutant General will notify their next of kin regarding their recovery and general physical condition. Then, tagged 2This account is a compilation of various chaplains, accounts. -194-

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Altar Kit. Chaplain John T. Moore shoulders the new compact altar kit provided by the Chaplains Division. It is designed to make it easier for chaplains of all faiths to bring church services to marines in the field. A closeup of the contents of the kit. of their own faith and sit down with them for a friendly chat. The Catholic chaplain dons a violet stole, hears confessions, administers communion, and presents rosaries, medals, prayerbooks, and missals as desired. Chaplain Rice. says, Because we were not certain of the physical condition of the returning PWls at Freedom Village the priests of the Marine Division were ready to give the sacraments to any requesting them. The idea caught the imagination of the PW's and a great percentage wanted communion after con- fession. Having chapels at Freedom Village turned out to be a big consolation to men of all faiths. One cor- respondent said to the Catholic Far East news represent- ative: How come the priests are administering confession and communion to the PW's? After all you don't meet people with the sacraments coming back from a trip. I proposed this to one of the returning prisoners. He an- swered: I spent 3 years in prison and I examined my con- science all the time. I sure want to go to confession. I'm starting in a new life right here. Another Roman Catholic Chaplain, Paul C. Ham- merl, has these incidents to relate, . . . listen to some of them at Freedom Village. I never prayed before at home but, I prayed up there and I don't see why I should stop now. My girl tried to get me to go to church, but I couldn't see why then, but now I know better. HI didn't have many instructions in the faith, but I will learn all I can in the future, If you may think God isn't in the hearts of our young men, listen to their stories and see how they formed study clubs, how they exchanged thoughts of God as often as they could. It would do many a doubter good to see the crosse they molded out of toothpaste tubes so they Could have reminder of Christ about their person. Some had Bible they received years ago from their pastor, now worn an well used. Others on their own, bound up their Bibles t make them last and treasured them above everything else Our men came back with little in the way of material goods but if they had salvaged and saved a medal, a Bible, or rosary, they took it along to bring back home. One la carried a Bible of his buddy who died. I want to give i to his mother to show her he prayed and used it regularlyf What a consolation such will be for the brokenhearted mother. For adherents of Judaism, Chaplain Murray I. Rothman was present to take them before the Ar with its sacred scrolls of the Torah fLawj for th traditional prayers of Israel. Protestant chaplains. held services of thanksgiving and served communion to those who desired it. Chaplain William H. Vinson affirms that over one-half of the men did receive Com- munion. Chaplain Walter H. Nordby tells of some of the experiences of the men, One prisoner looked at you and in reverent tones slowly -196-