ORA L HIS TOR Y T RAN S C RIP T
CAPTAIN ROBERT MARION SCHWYHART
Chaplain Corps, u.s. Navy (Retired)
Commander H. Lawrence Martin Chaplain Corps, u.s. Navy Interviewer
ORAL HISTORY PROGRAM Chaplain Corps United States Navy
1984
19 in Series CAPTAIN ROBERT M. SCHWYHART, CHC, USN
ii FOREWORD
During his active duty career, Robert Marion Schwyhart was known for faithfulness in pastoral ministry, courage in combat operations, efficiency in administrative work, and
resourcefulness in chaplaincy training.
Born 3J~nuary 1908 in Tama County, Iowa, he began his
education in~a rural one-room school. He described his family
background ib~threewords--close, strict, and religious. At
the .age-' of. fifteen, . he committed his life to the Christian minist.ry. Although his membership was in a church affiliated
with the Northern Baptist Convention (now American Baptist
Churches) he~eceived his theological training at the Southern
Baptist:Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.
~o~lowing seminary training and three brief pastorates in
the Midwest, Schwyhart entered the naval chaplaincy in the
fall of 1937. His interest in the chaplaincy had been
occasioned through conversations with his brother-in-law,
Clinton A.- Neyman~ a Navy chaplain of considerable reputation
and ability•.
Chaplain Schwyhart was faithful in his pastoral ministry
as he served with distinction in the USS WYOMING and the USS
VINCENNES and at Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; the Pre
Flight School, Iowa City, Iowa; Island Command, Guam; the
Naval Separation Center, Great Lakes, Illinois; and Naval Air
iii Station Alameda.
He proved his courage and competence in combat, both ashore and afloat. While serving in the USS VINCENNES during
World War II, he participated in the Doolittle Raid on
Tokyo, the Battles of Coral Sea, Midway, and Savo Island. In the last-named engagement, the ship was sunk and a third of the crew was lost. During the Korean War he served as
Division Chaplain of the First Marine Division in 1949-51, experiencing the landing at Inchon, the taking of Seoul, and the securing of the southern peninsula of Korea. During the winter of 1950, there came the fierce breakthrough from Hagaru ri to Koto-ri along with the extreme cold at Yudam-ni and the
Chosin Reservoir. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with combat "V" at the end of this eventful tour.
From his tour with the First Marine Division, Chaplain
Schwyhart's administrative abilities were most apparent and he moved to increasingly responsible positions at Naval Air
Station Pensacola, Chief of Naval Air Training, the Twelfth
Naval District, the Naval Chaplains School, and the Bureau of
Naval Personnel.
The area in which Chaplain Schwyhart felt that his most outstanding abilities and contribution lay, however, was in education and training, and this seems to have been borne out by several significant assignments he had and by initiatives he took. At several duty stations he planned and directed conferences. At other times he worked directly and informally with chaplains, most frequently those who were under his iv professional supervision. His performance and expertise in
training eventually resulted in his becoming the Officer in
Charge of the Naval Chaplains School. The Berkeley Baptist
Divinity School recognized these talents in honoring him with
the Do~tor of Divinity degree.
This same educational ability was utilized following naval~
retirement. Leaving the Navy in 1968 after thirty-one years in
the chaplaincy, Chaplain Schwyhart served for five years as
Minister of Christian Higher Education on the staff of the
Great Rivers Region of the American Baptist Churches, with
headquarters in Springfield, Illinois; and then continued for
ten additional years as Representative for Institutional
Support. At age seventy-five he retired a second time and
moved from Springfield to near Denver, Colorado, from his well
kept lawn to condominium living. It has not been full
retirement, however, because he has frequently been called upon
for interim pastorates and for pulpit supply, and he has been
generous in responding.
, The success of Chaplain Schwyhart has been enhanced by
his open and friendly manner, his deep sense of calling, his
indomitable faith in God, and his refreshing sense of humor.
There is an additional asset, one which he is the first to
admit or to point out to others--the outstanding contribution
of his wife Elizabeth as she has assisted at different times
and in varying capacities according to need--as organist, as teacher, with floral arrangements, with the altar guild, as
interviewer for the Navy Relief Society, in women's
v organizations and in counseling Navy wives.
with thankfulness for their lengthy Christian service and for their varying and significant accomplishments, we wish for the Schwyharts many years of hapPi~ntment.
NEIL M. STEV~-'-- Rear Admiral, CHC, USN Chief of Chaplains
vi PREFACE
This volume contains the reminiscences of Robert Marion
Schwyhart, reflecting his personal recollection at the time of the interview. No attempt has been made to confirm the historical accuracy of the statements made.
The reader is reminded that he is reading a transcript of the spoken word. The interviewee has had the opportunity to make slight additions, deletions, and changes as desired, principally in the interest of accuracy; and the editor has made minimal but important revision, largely in the interest of clarity; but no attempt has been made to arrive at a polished literary style. Editorial notes are made in brackets. In this way also, when feasible, the first names and middle initials have been supplied in first or sole instances where persons are mentioned by their last names only.
The Table of Contents and the Index are calculated to make the work more readily available to researchers whose interests may be limited.
Copies of this interview will be deposited in several
research locations:
Naval Historical Center Operational Archives Branch Building 57 Washington Navy Yard Washington, DC 20374
vii Marine Corps Historical Center Attn: Oral History Building 58 Washington Navy Yard Washington, DC 20374
Chaplain Resource Board 6500 Hampton Boulevard Norfolk, Virginia 23508
Librarian Chaplains School Naval Education & Training Center Newport, RI 02841
Head, Special Collections Nimitz Library U. S. Naval Academy Arinapolis, MD 21402
Director of Oral History U. S. Naval Institute Annapolis, MD 21402
American Baptist Historical Society Box 851 Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851
American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region Box 3786
C Springfield, IL 62708
All existing rights in copyrights have been assigned to the Chaplain Corps of the Department of the Navy, acting on behalf of the United States of America.
While oral history will never supplant written history, it does have its advantages: (1) it presents the human element~ (2) it enlists the contributions of many who would never write~ (3) it gets behind the scenes, telling the why and the how as well as the when and the where~ (4) it provides clues for additional research~ and (5) it supplements other collection methods.
viii It is hoped that this oral history transcript will be a worthwhile contribution in several of these
H. LAWRENCE MARTIN Commander, CHC, USN Head, Chaplain Corps History Branch Office of the Chief of Chaplains
ix CONTENTS
FOREWORD. iii
Rear Admiral Neil M. Stevenson Chaplain Corps, U. S. Navy Chief of Chaplains
PREFACE . . .. vii
PHOTOGRAPHS ...... xviii
SUMMARY OF THE LIFE AND MILITARY CAREER OF ROBERT MARION SCHWYHART ...... xix
THESEIUES THUS FAR . • . . xxii
SESSION ONE: 20 SEPTEMBER 1983
INTRODUCTION
EARLY HOME LIFE . . 1
Introductory Remarks--Birth and Parentage--A Close Family--A Strict Family--A Religious Family--Dedication to the Christian Ministry
...... • EDUCATION . . . • . . . . 2
A One-Room Elementary School--Grundy High School- A Class Reunion--A Year on the Farm--Grundy College--Des Moines University--North Iowa University--Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky--Honorary Doctorate from Berkeley Baptist Divinity School, and the Occasion for It
PASTORAL MINISTRY . 4
Ordination--Pastor, First Baptist Church, Corydon, Iowa--Marriage to Elizabeth Neyman--Quindaro Baptist Church, Kansas City, Kansas--First Baptist Church, Algona, Iowa--the Churches Compared
x SESSION TWO: 20 SEPTEMBER 1983
EARLY NAVAL CAREER
HOW IT ALL BEGAN. 6
Correspondence With Chief of Chaplains Sidney K. Evans Upon Recommendation of Chaplain Clinton A. Neyman--Invitation from Chief of Chaplains Edward A. Duff to Go to Washington for Physical and Professional Examinations--Examinations; Encounter With Then Chief of Chaplains Robert D. Workman--Appointment as an Acting Chaplain- the Oath of Office and Reporting for Duty
INDOCTRINATION. 10
Meeting Chester W. Nimitz Upon Reporting--Train ing under Chaplain Joseph H. Brooks in the Office of the Chief of Chaplains--Reading Assignments- Funerals at Arlington National Cemetery--Trips · to the Washington Navy Yard--Two weeks at Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, Virginia; Introduction to Ecumenical Relationships: Befriended by · Chaplain Frederick W. Meehling--Further Instruc tion at the Naval Base, Norfolk, Virginia
. . USS WYOMING (BB 17), 1938-39 13
First Marital Separation--A Trip to the Caribbean --Administering Holy Communion by the Intinction Method--Acceptance in the Wardroom--Friendship With John W. Moore--The Naval Academy Football Team Aboard--Leading A Tour to Salisbury, England · --Trip to Copenhagen, Denmark--In Charge of the Library--Correspondence With Chaplain Workman
NAVAL STATION, GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA, 1939-41... 15
The" Illness of Elizabeth Near the Time for Departure--Her Recovery and the Trip Down in the SS ANTIGUA--Assignment as the Assistant Ship's Service Officer, and Relief Therefrom--Other Duties--Plans for a New Chapel--Selection for Promotion--A Busy Chapel Schedule--Correspondence With Chaplain Workman Regarding a Case of Non Support--An Exceptional Baptismal Service- Ministry to Marines
USS VINCENNES (CA 44), 1941-42.. 20
Joining the Ship at ~rgentia, Newfoundland- xi Working Relationship with Commander Dietrich, the Executive Officer--Reaction of the Crew to the News of the Pearl Harbor Attack--Participation in the Doolittle Raid--Battle of the Coral Sea- Battle of Midway--Return to Pearl Harbor, With No Ship Recognition--Battle of Savo Island--A Communion Service the Night Before Battle--Loss of the Ship--Rescued from the Water by the USS MUGFORD (DD 398) Transferred to the USS BARNETT (AP ll)--Burials at Sea--Taken to Noumea, New Caledonia--To Pearl Harbor Aboard the USS WHARTON (AP 7)~ A Memorial Service En Route--A Warm Welcome at Pearl Harbor--The Organization of the VINCENNES Association
A PERIOD OF LEAVE AND ADJUSTMENT. 28 Survivor Leave at Grundy Center, Iowa--Orders to the USS NEVADA (BB 36)--"1 Was Real Pleased With the Assignment"--"I'm Here in Compliance With Orders"--Medical Evaluation and Transfer
NAVAL PRE-FLIGHT SCHOOL, IOWA CITY, IOWA, 1942-44 30
Divine Services at the Field House--Battalion Dances--Funeral of Captain D. C. Hanrahan
ISLAND COMMAND, GUAM, 1944-45 • 31
Birth of daughter Mary Baechler Before Departure--the Island Less Than Safe--Promotion to Commander--Visits of Ecclesiastical Officials
ASSISTANT PACIFIC FLEET CHAPLAIN, 1945. • . . • . • •• 32
Frequent Contact With Admiral Nimitz--More About Ecclesiastical Visitors--Chaplain Workman's Visit at the Time of His Becoming Rear Admiral--Visits of Cardinal Spellman and Mr. Pugh--Worship Ser vices~ Broadcast of An Easter Service--Dedication of Chapels--A Trip to Ulithi Where the Fleet Was Assembled--Contact With Flag Officers--VJ-Day
U. S. NAVAL SEPARATION CENTER, GREAT LAKES, ILLINOIS, 1945-46 • • • . . • • • • • • . 35 A Staff of Twenty-five Chaplains, Interviewing Those Being Separated--Apprehension of Some Personnel About Being Separated--Anxiety of Many Chaplains Concerning Separation and Difficulty of Their Placement in Parishes--At NTC While Awaiting Orders xii NAVAL AIR STATION, ALAMEDA, CALIFORNIA, 1946-49 . 37
Three Years in A Beautiful Chapel With a Full Religious Program--Burn Injury of Younger Daughter--the Planning and Directing of A Seminar for Chaplains on Religious Development
FIRST MARINE DIVISION, 1949-51. 39
The Interesting Personality of General Erskine at Camp Pendleton--To Go to Korea as Division Chaplain--Organization of the Division- Difficulty of Family Separation--the Trip by Transport--In Japan for Reorganization and Further Orders--The Inchon Landing--the Taking of Seoul--the Taking of the Southern Peninsula of Korea--A Standard Operating Procedure for Chaplains in a Marine Division--Duties as Division Chaplain--Limited Office Facilities --Dedication of Assistants--Communication With Chaplains in the Field--Reports to the Chief of Chaplains--Contacts With Local Pastors and Churches--Assistance to Orphanages--Services at Thanksgiving and Christmas--the Extreme Cold--the Heavy Casualties--Memorial Services --Relieved by "Foxhole" Kelly--Comment on the Excellent Performance of the Chaplains
NAVAL AIR STATION, PENSACOLA, FLORIDA, 1951-53.. 49
Recipient of Four Chaplains Award and of the Bronze Star With Combat "V"--Relieving J. H. Brooks, Chaplain Schwyhart's Mentor at Indoctrination--Close Cooperation With the Chaplain at the Pre-Flight School--Coordina tion of Activities of the Chaplains at Area Air Commands--An Impressive Easter Sunrise Service, Despite Rain Threat--Participation in the Civilian Indoctrination Program--An Excellent Choir, Giving Concerts--Promotion to the Rank of Captain
CHIEF OF NAVAL AIR TRAINING COMMAND, PENSACOLA, FLORIDA, 1953-55...... 52
Rapid Promotions of Chaplain Schwyhart--A Conference of All Chaplains of CNATRA--Frequent Visitation of Commands, With Excellent Flight Facilities--Reassignment
xiii SESSION THREE: 21 SEPTEMBER 1983
FLEET CHAPLAIN, U. S. PACIFIC FLEET, 1955-57. • . • •. 55
A Wonderful Reception--Courtesy Calls; Visit With Admiral Stump--Ministry at the Makalapa Chapel- Travel--Pastoral Relationship to Admiral Switzer --Reports to Seniors in Command and to the Chief of Chaplains--Privileges of the Office--Mrs. duPont Comes to Church--Supervisory Chaplains Conferences--Collecting of Photographs of Pacific Fleet Chaplains--the Irresponsible Commanding Officer in Sasebo
LATER NAVAL CAREER
NAVAL TRAINING CENTER, GREAT LAKES, ILLINOIS, 1957-61. 60
. A Challenging Assignment, Supervising Twenty-One Chaplains--Worship Attendance--Character Educa tion--Ministering to the Staff--Complaints of the Recruits--Using All the Chaplains With Their Varied Talents
TWELFTH NAVAL DISTRICT, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, 1961-64 ...... 64
Fulfillment of a Long Desire--the Kind Assistance of Chaplain Harry M. Peterson- Commuting to Work for the First Time; Reading Chaplain Corps History En Route--Responsibili ties of Coordination--Issuance of a Newsletter --Inspections--the Naval Reserve Program Within the District--Preaching in Chapels Upon Invitation--Representing the Command at Official Functions--Informal Visits Within the District--Funeral Responsibilities--Ongoing Plans for Admiral Nimitz' Funeral--Executive Vice President of the Navy Relief Society- Orientation Conference for the Local Clergy- Expressed Desire for Duty at San Diego, With Reaction of Chief of Chaplains George A. Rosso
OFFICER IN CHARGE, NAVAL CHAPLAINS SCHOOL, 1964-65. .. 70
"I Considered It One of the So-Called Plurns"--The Teaching Staff--Course Length--Size of Classes- the Ensign Chaplain Probationary Prograrn--Field Trips--the Curriculurn--Bob Newhart as a Gradua tion Banquet Speaker--Request and Expectation that
xiv Chaplains Come Without Families--Satisfication in Training Young Chaplains--Student Respect and Loyalty
BUREAU OF NAVAL PERSONNEL, WASHINGTON, D. C., 1965-67. 74
Head, Plans and Policies Branch, Office of the Chief of Chaplains--A Reluctance to Leave the Chaplains School--Official Inspections--Organiza tion of the Office of the Chief of Chaplains- Progress of the Corps in the Character Education Program and in the Provision of Supplies for Chaplains--Receiving of Reports from Vietnam
TWELFTH NAVAL DISTRICT, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, 1967-68 . ... .•. 78
Duties and Routine Much as Before--Another Orientation Conference for Local Clergy--Last Official Function as District Chaplain Was at Dedication of New Phase of Oakland Naval Hospital--A Participant in Planning the Senior Course at the Naval Chaplains School
SESSION FOUR: 22 OCTOBER 1983
CAREER IN RETROSPECT
THE RETIREMENT CEREMONY . 79 The Retirement Banquet "Was All Done First Class" --A Parade and Honor Guard
POST-RETIREMENT ACTIVITIES, AND A PENDING SECOND RETI REMENT . . . • ...... • . . . . 80
Minister of Christian Higher Education of the Great Rivers Region, American Baptist Churches, U.S.A., With Headquarters in Springfield, Illinois--After Five Years, at Age Sixty-Five, Representative for Institutional Support for Ten Additional Years--To Move Soon to the Denver, Colorado Area for Full Retire ment--Condominium Living Will Call for Adjust ment
ADVICE TO JUNIOR CHAPLAINS . 82
No One Favorite Duty Station--"Nothing Less Than Your Best is Good Enough"--On Being Content With
xv Assignments--"Cooperation Without Compromise" a Viable Slogan
ADVICE TO SENIOR AND SUPERVISORY CHAPLAINS. 84
The Open Door Policy--Compliments for Work Well Performed--Dealing With Non-Selectees on the Staff--"You Have to Be Strict as Well As Patient and Kind"--Fitness Reports and Selection Boards- the Need for Sociability with the Junior Chaplain and His Family
LEADING CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CHAPLAIN CORPS ...... 87
Training, Especially in the Conference Approach- Sermons and Worship Leadership
AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS 88
Four Chaplains Award--Bronze Star Medal With Combat "V"--American Baptist Chaplain of the Year--Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Award to Alumnus of the Year Serving American Baptist Churches in the U.S.A.
NOTABLE EXPERIENCES. 90
The Most Difficult Experience was in Korea: the Extreme Cold, the Loss of Marines, and Age in Combat Situations--Most Rewarding Experience the Thirty--One Years as a Chaplain--Regret for Lack of Duty in the Mediterranean
SESSION FIVE: 22 SEPTEMBER 1983
CAREER IN COMPARISON AND CONTRAST
STATUS AND EFFECTIVENESS OF THE CHAPLAIN CORPS OVER THE YEARS .•..••.•••••.•..•. 91
Size of the Corps--Social Climate--Indoctrina tion and Training--Relations With Church Bodies- Interest of Church Bodies In Their Chaplains
ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE . . .. 94 Change in the Organizational Structure of the Chaplain Corps, With the Chief of Chaplains Under the Chief of Naval Operations, a Good Move--En hancing the Role of the Supervisory Chaplain a
xvi Necessary Change--An Example in Supervision- Supervisors Should Recognize the Potential of Individual Chaplains and Involve Them in the Program
THE ROLE OF CHAPLAINS' WIVES 95
The Role Both Supportive and Contributory--The Contribution of Mrs. Schwyhart--A Role Often Unrecognized
TOWARD AN ECUMENICAL MINISTRY . . . . 96
By Necessity and Desire Chaplains Have Long Cooperated With Those of Other Faiths Than Their Own--A Case in Point--Chaplain Schwyhart's Own Experience
CONCLUDING REMARKS. 97
Continued Interest in the Navy and the Chaplain Corps--Appreciation For Various Means of . Continued Contact on the Part of the Corps- Rewards of the Naval Chaplaincy--the Future of the Corps--Expression of Appreciation
APPENDIX
A. CITATION, BRONZE STAR MEDAL WITH COMBAT "V" . 102
B. CITATION, NAVY COMMENDATION 103
C. CITATION, B'NAI B'RITH FOUR CHAPLAINS AWARD. 104
D. CITATION, ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR, SOUTHERN BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY ...... 105
INDEX . 106
xvii PHOTOGRAPHS
1. Captain Robert M. Schwyhart, CHC, USN. ii
2. Chaplain Schwyhart Shaves During a Field Exercise With the First Marine Division . 39-A
3. Chaplain Schwyhart Conducts Memorial Services for the First Marine Division at the Division's Cemetery at Hungnam, Korea Following The Breakout From the Chosin Reservoir (Defense Dept. Photo) 48-A
4. Chaplain Schwyhart, Senior Chaplain, U. S. Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, Illinois, Upon Arrival at Service Schools Command as Speaker at the Graduation of a Class in the Electronics School. 60-A
5. Chaplain Schwyhart Receives from RADM Leo B. McCuddin, Commandant of the Twelfth Naval District, a Certificate Appointing Him as the Navy Chaplain Corps' Gray Shepherd 78-A
(The award is presented to the Navy chaplain in the rank of captain who has the earliest commissioning date and the longest tenure of continuous active duty as chaplain.)
6. Chaplain Schwyhart Receives the Alexander D. Goode Award Given by the Alexander D. Goode Lodge of the B'nai B'rith to the Chaplain in Each Service Who Best Exemplifies the Spirit of the Four Chaplains Who Gave Their Lives in the Ill-Fated S.S. DORCHESTER (Defense Dept. Photo) . 89-A
(Left to right: RADM Stanton W. Salisbury, CHC, USN, Chief of Chaplains, U. S. Navy; LTGEN M. H. Silverthorn, Assistant Commandant, USMC, who is making the presentation; and Chaplain Schwyhart, who has just returned from Korea, where he served as the Division Chaplain, First Marine Division)
xviii A SUMMARY OF THE LIFE AND MILITARY CAREER OF ROBERT MARION SCHWYHART
Birth Tama County, Lincoln Township, Iowa, 3 January 1908
Education Grundy College, Grundy Center, Iowa, 1926-28 Des Moines University, Des Moines, Iowa, 1928-29 Northern Iowa University, Cedar Falls, Iowa, B.A., 1930 Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky, Th.M., 1933 Berkeley Baptist Divinity School, Berkeley, California, D.D. (Hon.), 1964
Ordination Southern Association of the Iowa Baptist Convention, 9 January 1934 Family Marriage: Elizabeth NeYman, 21 .May 1935 Children: Mary Baechler Inman Laura Beth
Civilian Pastorates First Baptist Church, Corydon, Iowa, 1933-34 Quindaro Baptist Church, Kansas City, Kansas, 1934-36 First Bapist Church, Algona, Iowa, 1936-37
Active Commissioned Service 1 October 1937--1 July 1968
Promotion History Commissioned Lieutenant (junior grade), CHC, USN, 24 September 1937 to rank from 16 August 1937 Lieutenant, 1 August 1941 Lieutenant Commander, 1 March 1943 . Commander, 1 February 1944 Captain, 1 May 1953
Duty Assignments Bureau of Naval Personnel, Washington, D. C. (DUINS), October 1937--December 1937
USS WYOMING (BB 17) January 1938--May 1939
xix Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba June 1939--August 1941
USS VINCENNES (CA 44) September 1941--August 1942
(Survival Leave)
USS NEVADA December 1942
Naval Pre-Flight School, Iowa City, Iowa December 1942--April 1944
Island Command, Guam April 1944--January 1945
Assistant Fleet Chaplain, U. S. Pacific Fleet January 1945--September 1945
U. S. Naval Separation Center, Great Lakes, Illinois September 1945--0ctober 1946
Naval Air Station, Alameda, California November 1946--May 1949
First Marine Division May 1949--February 1951
Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida March 1951--June 1953
Staff Chaplain, Naval Air Training Command, Pensacola, Florida June 1953--May 1955
Fleet Chaplain, U. S. Pacific Fleet June 1955--July 1957
Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, Illinois August 1957--June 1961
District Chaplain, Twelfth Naval District July 1961--February 1964
Officer in Charge, Naval Chaplains School, Newport, Rhode Island February 1964--September 1965
Bureau of Naval Personnel, Washington, D. C. September 1965--July 1967
District Chaplain, Twelfth Naval District July 1967--July 1968 xx Awards and Decorations Bronze Star with Combat "V" Presidential Unit Citation American Theater Campaign Medal American Campaign Medal European Theater Campaign Medal Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal World War II Victory Medal National Defense Service Medal Korean Service Medal United Nations Service Medal Korean Presidential Unit Citation Navy Commendation Medal
First chaplain to receive the B'nai B'rith Alexander D. Goode Four Chaplains Award
First chaplain to receive the Chaplain of the Year Award of the American Baptist Churches
First chaplain to receive the Alumnus of the Year Award of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary for Persons Serving in American Baptist Churches
Retirement 1 July 1968
Post Active Duty Career Staff, Great Rivers Region of American Baptist Churches, Springfield, Illinois Minister of Christian Higher Education, 1968-73 Representative for Institutional Support, 1973-83
xxi THE SERIES THUS FAR
At the time of the issuance of this oral history volume, the following transcripts in the current series were either complete or in various stages of completion (*):
CAPTAIN ROBERT WOOD COE, JR., CHC, USN (RETIRED) CAPTAIN JOHN HAROLD CRAVEN, CHC, USN (RETIRED) CAPTAIN CLIFFORD MERRILL DRURY, CHC, USNR (RETIRED) CAPTAIN WILLIAM WILCOX EDEL, CHC, USN (RETIRED) REAR ADMIRAL FRANCIS LEONARD GARRETT, CHC, USN (RETIRED) CAPTAIN JOSHUA LOUIS GOLDBERG, CHC, USNR (RETIRED) CAPTAIN RAYMOND CHARLES HOHENSTEIN, CHC, USN (RETIRED) REAR ADMIRAL RICHARD GORDON HUTCHESON, JR., CHC, USN (RETIRED) *REAR ADMIRAL GERALD EDWIN KUHN, CHC, USNR (RETIRED) CAPTAIN FREDERICK WILLIAM MEEHLING, CHC, USN (RETIRED) REAR ADMIRAL WITHERS McALISTER MOORE, CHC, USN (RETIRED) *CAPTAIN GEORGE IGNATIUS PAULSON, CHC, USN (RETIRED) REAR ADMIRAL HENRY JOHN ROTRIGE, CHC, USN (RETIRED) CAPTAIN ROBERT MARION SCHWYHART, CHC, USN (RETIRED) CAPTAIN RODERIC LEE SMITH, CHC, USN (RETIRED) CAPTAIN SAMUEL SOBEL, CHC, USN (RETIRED) CAPTAIN EUGENE SAMUEL SWANSON, CHC, USN (RETIRED) MARTHA ELLEN FONDREN THOMAS, Widow of REAR ADMIRAL WILLIAM NATHANIEL THOMAS, CHC, USN (DECEASED) *REAR ADMIRAL ROSS HENRY TROWER, CHC, USN (RETIRED) CAPTAIN MERLE NEWCOMER YOUNG, CHC, USN (RETIRED) CAPTAIN JOHN DAVID ZIMMERMAN, CHC, USN (RETIRED)
The completed series as planned will consist of 25 volumes, with the final volume being a master index.
xxii