United States Navy Chaplain Corps - Yearbook

Page 41 text:

for the period 23 September to 1 October. The cita- tions read in part: Acting as regimental chaplain fhej fearlessly and cou- rageously exposed himself to the intense enemy small arms, machine gun and mortar fire to visit and encourage the members of the front line units during the attack. His com- plete disregard for his own personal safety and personal interests shown during his constant moving among the assault troops and the wounded was an inspiration to all personnel of the regiment. Since Chaplain Craven had received a Bronze Star during World War II, he was awarded a gold star in lieu of a second Bronze Star. Chaplain Ingvoldstad f5th Marinesj was cited for heroic service performed during the period 15-27 September. Displaying outstanding professional ability, the citation states, umarked courage and con- fidence in the performance of duty, Lieutenant Com- mander Ingvoldstad rendered distinguished service in providing for the spiritual comfort and well-being of all the men. Chaplain John H. Markley, serving with the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, was cited for meritorious achievement in connection with the operations against the enemy . . . during operations in Japan and Korea from 11 August 1950 to 12 October 1950. The citation continues: He met aircraft carrying the wounded and dying no matter what hour of arrival. He visited all hospitalized mili- tary personnel regardless of their branch of service. He ministered to their physical as well as spiritual needs, per- sonally seeing that the men had what they sought for or needed. He carried out his duties regardless of personal fatigue, constantly inspiring all who observed him with the strength of his faith in God, his humility, and his love for all to whom he ministered. Chaplain Patrick A. Killeen was awarded the Bronze Star for service from 15-21 September 1950. His citation reads in part: A most capable and inspiring religious guide, his wise and friendly counsel was constantly sought by men of all faiths within the battalion. His untiring efforts and unswerving devotion to duty were an inspiration to all who observed him, and aided materially in the maintenance of high mo- rale within the battalion. The citation accompanying the Bronze Star awarded Chaplain Godfrey Reilly follows in part: Serving with the forward medical company, where casual- ties were in greatest number, he frequently moved to battalion aid stations when he considered his services to be needed. Displaying at all times utter disregard for his personal safety and comfort, he labored long, arduous hours under extremely adverse weather conditions, and often under enemy fire. His untiring efforts contributed materially to the maintenance of high morale in the Division, and his wise counsel and guid- ance were constantly sought by men of all faiths. In addition to the Silver Star awarded Chaplain Bonner and the eight Bronze Star medals thus far mentioned, two other awards were given Navy chap- lains for outstanding performance of duty. Chaplain Kevin J. Keaney received the Letter of Commendation award citing his service during the period 15 Septem- ber to 2 October 1950. Chaplain Bernard L. Hickey, who with lngvoldstad, Tennant, and Sporrer had accompanied Marine ground units from the early days of the Korean War, received the Bronze Star for meritorious service from 15 September to 2 November, the terminal date of what the Defense Department later marked out as the First Korean Campaign. The services cited in Hickey's award now begin to nm like a refrain through the commendations that would be awarded chaplains for devotion to duty during periods of intense fighting. No lesson is clearer from the experience of the Korean War than that it came to be expected that it could be said of each what was here said of a particular chap- lain, that he 'icontinuously moved among the assault units of his regiment and conducted services, adminis- tered spiritual comfort to the sick and wounded, and assisted in the treatment and evacuation of casualties. Thus exceptional performance of duty sets the pace and in time becomes the norm by which all service is measured. Chaplains Afloat Elements of Joint Task Force Seven, the principal striking arm of United States naval power in the Far East, commanded by Vice Adm. Arthur D. Struble, had been on station in Korean waters since late June. Serving as chaplain in the flagship, the ROCHES- TER, was Fenelon D. Hewitt, Jr., Southern Baptist, aboard since April 1949. In September he was re- lieved by Edwin F. Carr, a Roman Catholic. Having returned to active duty on 18 August, Carr remained in the ROCHESTER until July 1952. Protestant ministrations were made available whenever possible, it has been noted that Chaplain J. E. Zoller was temporarily aboard for the month of October. In the TOLEDO since 31 August was Chaplain Lawrence C. M. Vosseler, a Lutheran, whose tour of duty continued until July 1952. Aboard the WORCESTER since September was Chaplain Charles L. Dickey QPresbyterianJ, a Reserve, who remained in that ship until released to inactive duty in January 1952. Chaplain David Kosky, 123-

Page 40 text:

I-...-..' .. at ,ff gf' Services at the Governor's Palace, Chaplain L. R. Phillips conducts services for Protestants on the steps of the governor's palace scarred and blackened by shell fire. Catholic services are conducted by Chaplain Hickey for marines who participated in the capture of Seoul. Services are held on the palace steps. awarded Chaplain Tennant. The citation accom- His advice to the Commanding General in religious panying the medal given to Chaplain Schwyhart and morale activities of the command was of im- notes that he had traveled with front line units on measurable assistance to the success of the Divisionf' numerous occasions while they were subjected to the citation concludes. enemy Hre and that he had administered solace and The citations for Chaplains Jones Clst Marinesj spiritual comfort to wounded and dying Marines. and Craven f7th Marinesj were identical. Both were

Page 42 text:

? w 5 A Burial at Sea. Chaplain L. C. M. Vosseler conducts burial at sea for Lt. Cjg.j David H. Swenson, of TOLEDO, OIT Korea. LYMAN K. SWENSON, named for the deceasedls uncle, lies in the background. a Roman Catholic, served in the MANCHESTER from September 1950 to August 1952. The carrier BOXER had two chaplains assigned. Joseph P. Cusack, Roman Catholic, had been aboard since July and remained until October 1951. George A. Hoglan, Presbyterian, another of the many Re- serves who voluntarily returned to active duty, re- ported in September 1950, finishing his tour in October 1952. It will be noticed that the average shipboard tour was about 2 years. One ofthe busiest ships in the area was the MOUNT MCKINLEY, an AGC, or amphibious force Flagship, headquarters of Rear Adm. James H. Doyle's Amphibious Group One, Pacific Fleet. Early in 1950 General MacArthur had asked for Navy and Marine units to train occupation forces in Japan in amphibious techniques. They had hardly arrived and begun work when the outbreak of hostilities turned these amphibious specialists from training to operational activities. On July PhibGru One put the 1st Cavalry Division ashore at Pohang-dong. For Inchon, naturally, Admiral Doyle's amphibious force was a mainstay, most of the planning was done Hzbfd., pp. iff., isff. on board the MCKINLEY, and when it was time to mount the operation MacArthur chose to proceed from Sasebo to Inchon in that ship. ' The chaplain at the time was Edward E. Helmich, a Moravian, who was assigned additional duty as Doyle's Staff Chaplain. The largest number of troop and attack transports were not assigned chaplains, owing to the shortage. As always the Marine Division Chaplain tried to place his chaplains in those transports which had none of their own or otherwise arrange for the widest distribution of chaplain personnel en route to the invasion. At least the following transports at Inchon carried one chaplain each. BAYFIELD CAPAJ .,........ Edgar A. Day. . BAP CAD GEN.j. C. BRECKENRIDGE Leonard B. EVAN SL CAPJ. Dohrmann REF GEN. H. W. BUTNER CAPJ. . Edward R. RC Martineau HENRICO CAPAJ .......... Carroll M. PRESBY Mershon CUB PRESIDENT JACKSON Harry A. BAP CAD QAPD. Porter THOMAS JEFFERSON Henry F. Max- CONG CAPAJ. well 10 Ibid., p. 84. L24-