The Chaplain Corps

A Christian Chaplain reads the last rites for Major General Maurice E. Rose (1899-1945), CG 3d Armored Division, Germany March 1945

Background Information:

Religion and Morale: Freedom of Religion and of Religious Belief is part of the doctrines included in the US Government’s philosophy. It must therefore be extended to the soldier and proper respect extended to his personal religious convictions. Apart from the different field agencies chiefly responsible for morale in the United States Armed Forces, such as the “Special and Information Services”, the “Public Relations Section”, and the “American Red Cross”, there was the “Chaplain Corps”.

Illustration of officially prescribed Officers' Insignia, for Christian-Faith and Jewish-Faith Chaplains

The religious and spiritual welfare of the members of a command is an important factor in the development of individual pride, morale, and self-respect, essential in a military organization.
The Chaplain promotes Morality and Religion. Duties of Chaplains are analogous to those performed by clergymen in civilian life. The Chaplain is charged with the above responsibilities, while he conducts routine religious services, and attends as a matter of course to Baptism, Marriages, and Funerals; his most important work lies in the close and personal human contacts which he enjoys throughout a command. Although Chaplains presented the mandatory Character Guidance lectures and Venereal Disease talks, their counselling sessions were the most valuable – they were present everywhere, at training sites, rifle ranges, mess halls, road marches, gas mask drills, jump towers, ship drills, boot camp, medical training, etc.
Chaplains were attached (or assigned) to separate units, such as Battalions, Regiments, Divisions, higher units and larger installations. They were also often assigned duties pertaining to the Medical Department and the Graves Registration Service.
During WW2, Chaplains worked in Hospitals, at Embarkation Ports, in Stockades, on Troop Ships . They simply ‘were there’, and many felt their rightful place was with the dying  - Chaplains were often killed giving last rites! In the frontlines, they suffered from overwork, terror, and exposure to danger. As Chaplains were limited in numbers, interfaith cooperation was the rule, often, a sole Chaplain would serve all personnel and minister to other faiths.

World War 1 & World War 2:

A “US Army Chaplain School” was created out of need to adequately train Chaplains to staff the large American Expeditionary Force, the United States was creating in 1917 for service overseas (as far as known, the very first Army Chaplains took service in 1849). After the W.D. approved the plans, courses were started on March 3, 1918, at Ft. Monroe, Suffolk, Virginia. To supplement the School activities in WW1, a subsidiary “Chaplain School” was created in France (summer of 1918) and located near A.E.F. Headquarters at Chaumont. The “US Army Chaplain School” temporarily suspended its operations January 16, 1919, but was reactivated at Cp. Grant, Rockford, Illinois, in April of 1920 - this coincided with the creation of the Office of Chief of Chaplains. Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, became a fixed home in 1924, where the School was to remain the next four years. With the advent of WW2, the School was reactivated February 2, 1942 (though it had never officially been inactivated) at Ft. Benjamin Harrison, Indianapolis, Indiana; it later moved to Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, and finished World War 2 at Ft. Devens, Ayer, Massachusetts. 8,183 Chaplains graduated from the School in WW2.

The Chaplain of the 6th General Hospital (MTO 26 Dec 42 - 15 Sep 45) conducts a Baptism service, French Morocco, September 1943

The Chaplain’s official status was in fact only granted in 1926, when Congress guaranteed Chaplains, the rank, pay and allowances of grades up to and including Colonel. They now had the right to wear distinctive insignia, i.e. Latin Crosses or Tablets with the Star of David on their service coat lapels, and obtain ‘special’ Chaplain outfits and accoutrements.

During World War 2, Major General William R. ARNOLD was Chief of Chaplains (Roman Catholic), with Brigadier General George T. Rixey, as Deputy Chief of Chaplains. The Office of Chief of Chaplains consisted of following subdivisions: Control Division – Office Management Division – Technical Information Division – Technical Division and Planning & Training Division.

Picture of Major William R. Arnold, later to become Chief of Chaplains (note the Chaplains' Flag left)

As of 1 May, 1945, Chaplains were to number 2,796 in the European Theater of Operations (total for the US Army in WW2 was 8,896), with following subdivision between the different faiths:

Out of the above total strength, the majority was with the Army Ground Forces (AGF), and the greater part was divided between the Services of Supply (SOS) and the Army Air Forces (AAF), with a small number on miscellaneous assignments. The Chaplain Corps lived and worked with the troops, providing strength, courage, help, and consolation; it suffered following casualties: 24 killed in action – 66 wounded in action – 8 captured and subsequently released. 246 Chaplains received awards and decorations (up to 1 May 1945) as follows: 4 Distinguished Service Cross – 6 Legion of Merit – 48 Silver Star – 133 Bronze Star – 54 Purple Heart.

At the end of the War, the E.T.O. Theater Chaplain, summarized the spiritual highlights of the past period and declared:

There is no doubt that the tragedy of War and its accompanying suffering and misery has awakened in our Chaplain Corps a new spirit of zeal and sacrifice in the service of God, and has certainly awakened in the hearts of our men a keen appreciation of the value and consolation of Religion. As a result of this, a new consciousness should be evident in all who have had part in this War, and there has also been a noticeable breaking down of bigotry. Both of these qualities should be a lasting blessing to our Nation – Good coming out of Evil.

Archbishop Joseph F. Spellman (1889-1967), Military Vicar United States Armed Forces, during a visit to Italy, spring of 1944

Uniform Insignia:

Army Regulations 600-35 provided a number of official Insignia for wear on Uniforms.

Chaplains:
U.S. – Chaplains will wear block letters U.S. of gold-coloured metal, 7/16 inch in height, each letter is to be followed by a period symbol. Insignia will be worn on both upper lapels of the Officer’s Coat, or on the left Shirt collar, when no Coat is worn.

Illustration of Officers' national Insignia (U.S.) and Chaplains' Corps Insignia (Christian-Faith Latin Cross)

Insignia of Arm or Service – Chaplains will wear the appropriate Branch Insignia, i.e. for Christian Chaplains: a silver Latin Cross, 1 inch in height - for Jewish Chaplains: a double Tablet bearing numerals from I to X, surmounted by two equilateral Triangles interlaced, all silver, 1 inch in height.

Picture of Captain Edwin J. Kozak, Catholic Chaplain, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, Germany 1945

Headgear Ornamentation:

Chaplains:
These Officers will wear a cord edge braid of gold bullion (or metallized cellophane) and black silk intermixed (like other regular Officers). Some Chaplains however, continued to wear the black piping, as used in World War 1 (introduced in 1918). Chaplains did also wear their typical insignia of Faith on the left side of the Garrison Cap (instead of the foreseen insignia grade), while the appropriate ranks were then usually worn on the collar lapels and/or shoulder loops.

Remark:
Christian-Faith Chaplains often had their M-1 Steel Helmet front adorned with a white Latin Cross (painted), a silver metal Latin Cross insignia (soldered), or a small white Latin Cross on a rectangular dark blue background (painted, similar to the Chaplains’ Flag). Jewish Chaplains, had similar insignia (Tablets or Star of David). The Officers’ tactical mark, a white vertical stripe of 1 inch by 4 inch, was painted on the back of the helmet.

Miscellaneous Insignia:

View of Chaplains' Scarf, Stock No. 62-S-2505 (black with gold-coloured embroidery)

Visiting SHAEF Chaplain ready to address the troops, MTO, summer of 1943 (Recreation)

Chaplains’ Scarf:
The Scarf was optional issue, but could be drawn from QMC services if necessary. Official designation was Scarf, Chaplains’, Christian Faith, Stock No. 62-S-2505 and it was an expendable item. The Scarf was a standard ecclesiastical pattern, made of black material 9 feet long. It was embroidered on each end with a gold-coloured Coat of Arms of the United States and with the Chaplain’s Branch Insignia (spaced ½ inch below the Coat of Arms). The Jewish-Faith Scarf had similar dimensions and appropriate insignia, it was white or black. Some Chaplains also used Ribbon Stoles (worn around the neck, or knotted around left arm), these items were often private purchase, provided by family or relatives, or by their stateside Congregation. Basic colours were purple, lined with white silk, with a length of 4 feet 1 inch, and a width of 1 ½ inch.

Christian Chaplain hearing Confession and giving the Absolution. The Chaplain, with Captain rank wears the narrow Ribbon Stole (not official issue)

Chaplains’ Brassard:
Although not official issue, Chaplains sometimes wore Brassards, of 18 inches in length and 4 inches in width,  in colours following the official-issue Chaplain’s Flag, being dark blue wool bunting (not black), with a white Latin Cross. The Chaplain’s Brassard was identical to the Geneva Convention version, except for colours (needless to add, that Chaplains used the Red Cross armband, when engaged in medical activities, they were also issued War Department ID Cards -for military & civilian protected personnel- with indication ChC). There existed another brassard version related to Chaplains, this was the Brassard, Arm, Port Officer, Chaplain – stock number 71-B-1352 (colours: QMC buff background with black ATS CHAPLAIN block letters).

View of Christian Chaplains' Flag, Stock No. 5-F-980 (dark blue flag with white Latin Cross), and Chaplains' Brassard (unofficial, dark blue with white cross)

Chaplains’ Flag:
The Chief of Chaplains was issued an official Flag by virtue of Circular 73, dated March 12, 1942. The Flag was made out of dark blue wool bunting and adorned with a white Latin Cross. Its dimensions were 2 feet hoist, by 3 feet fly, with a Latin Cross 1 foot, 6 inches in height, and arms 3 inches in width, all centered (Jewish Chaplains had a similar Flag but with the specific Jewish Faith insignia). The Flag is part of the Chaplain’s Outfit, and is described on Page 78 of the Army Service Forces Catalog QM6 – Quartermaster Supply Catalog CHESTS, KITS, OUTFITS, AND SETS – supersedes OQMG Circular No. 4, Headquarters, Army service Forces, 31 January 1944. Official designation is Flags, Chaplains’, Christian-Faith and stock number is 5-F-980, while the other Flag is Flags, Chaplains’, Jewish-Faith, with stock no. 5-F-985. Chaplain Flags were used as authorized by COs to designate time and place of religious service, and in the field to indicate the Chaplain’s quarters (tent or building).

Period illustration of (1) Chest (2) Field Desk (3) Christian-Faith Chaplains' Flag (4) Jewish-Faith Chaplains' Flag, as shown in ASF Catalog QM6, page 78, Chaplains' Outfit, published by Headquarters, Army service Forces, dated 31 January 1944

Remark:
Chaplains were also provided with additional accessories pertinent to their function. The official Chaplains’ Outfit (Christian-Faith  Stock No. 36-O-800 and Jewish-Faith Stock No. 36-O-810) consisted of following items:

• Chests, Container, Hymnal, Music-Edition – Stock No. 36-C-1287 (later replaced by Chest, Steel Container, Hymnal, Music-Edition, Stock No. 36-C-1295)
• Desks, Field (Empty), Fiber, Headquarters – Stock No. 26-D-140 (later replaced by Desk, Field, M-1945, Stock No. 26-D-158)
• Flags, Chaplains’, Christian-Faith – Stock No. 5-F-980
• Flags, Chaplains’, Jewish-Faith – Stock No. 5-F-985
• Music Books, Hymnal, Chaplains’ Outfit, Song-and-Service – Stock No. 36-M-657 (150 copies)
• Organs, Folding, Chaplains’ – Stock No. 36-O-580

A portable Typewriter was formally a component of the Chaplains’ Outfit, it can be found in applicable T/E or T/A No. 20, Equipment for Posts, Camps, and Stations. Each Outfit component is to be procured, stored, requisitioned, and issued individually.

It is to be noted that brass Holy Communion service kits and folding Altars were available to Chaplains, although it was expected that they would be supplied by their religious denominations (TM 6-205 “The Chaplain” does however not mention this particular kit).

Organization:

Headquarters,Army:
The Chaplains’ Section consisted of three Chaplains, 1 Colonel, 1 Major, and 1 Captain, assisted by four NCOs, i.e. 1 Master Sergeant, 1 Buck Sergeant, and 2 Technicians (Tec 3, 4, or 5).

Headquarters, Infantry Division:
Within the regular Division Staff, responsible to keep a Division operational, there were several smaller Sections which also played  a certain role in the unit, but were neither included in the Division’s General Staff , nor in the Personnel Staff, moreover they could not exercise command. Among this ‘special’ Staff, was the Chaplains’ Section – it usually consisted of:

                                1 Chaplain (Lt. Colonel or Colonel)
                                1 Chaplain Assistant (usually a Major)
                                1 Sergeant (Record-Clerk)
                                2 Technicians 5th Grade (Typists-Clerks-1/4-Ton Truck Drivers)

Major William F. Reiss, Chaplain, First Airborne Task Force (FABTF) leads G-2 Staff in prayers before departing for Southern France; picture taken at Voltone Airfield, Italy, 15 August 1944

The Chaplain’s job was to advise the CG and Staff on matters of religion, morality, and morale. He provided pastoral ministry to the Division, and for organic and attached elements which had no assigned Chaplains. He supervised Chaplains of assigned units, as well as all individual and organized religious activities, and provided functional training guidance for Chaplains to meet religious needs within the military environment. He also helped and comforted casualties, patients, and prisoners.

Infantry Regiment, Infantry Division:
Attached Chaplains numbered three, and advised the Regimental Commander and Staff on matters dealing with the religious and moral welfare of his command. Ranks carried were those of First Lieutenant, or Captain.

Medical Battalion, Infantry Division:
One attached Chaplain, member of the special Staff assigned to the Headquarters & Headquarters Detachment.

Remark:
Chaplains were entitled to assistants, who cared for the Chaplain’s official property, acted as his clerk, and helped with the educational, religious, and general entertainment programs. One enlisted person, mostly a Tec 5, was assigned to assist the Chaplain in the performance of his official duties. It should be noted, that such assistants did not wear any official insignia connected to their assignment (except those from their unit).

Exterior view of a Chaplains' Service Kit, containing a portable Altar with Holy Communion set (private purchase)