ORAL HISTORY TRANSCRIPT
CAPTAIN JOHN HAROLD CRAVEN
Chaplain Corps, U. S. Navy
(Retired)
Corrmander H. Lawrence Martin
Chaplain Corps, U. S. Navy
Interviewer
ORAL HISTORY PROGRAM Chaplain Corps United States Navy
1980
2 in Series FOREWORD
Chaplain John H. Craven experienced a long and rich association with the Navy and the Marine Corps--forty years with the exception of the three years he spent in his basic theological training.
Coming from a rural community in the Midwest and lacking funds for college, he entered the Marine Corps as a recruit in 1933. In 1935, with a sense of calling to the
Christian ministry, he requested separation from the Marine
Corps in order to further his education.
During his college years, Chaplain Craven was affiliated with the Marine Corps Reserve; but since there was at that time no Theological Student Program, it was necessary for him to discontinue association with the military during his seminary years. When his training was completed, however, he returned to the military he loved so well, with the conviction that his call to preach the gospel was also a call to the military chaplaincy.
Chaplain Craven was anxious for an assignment with the
Marines, which came with his second tour. He was soon off to
the Pacific theatre during World War II, in time for action at
Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands and at Saipan, Tinian, and
Iwo Jima. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V"
ii "for meritorious achievement as a Chaplain attached to the Fourth Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Marianas Islands, on June 16, 1944. " Chaplain Craven also served with the Marines during the Korean War as he took part in the Inchon Invasion and later ministered in the Chosin Reservoir area in extreme cold during heavy combat conditions. He was awarded the Legion of Merit and a gold star in lieu of a second Bronze Star Medal. Following other outstanding tours with the Marines and with the Navy both at sea and ashore, including a tour as Director of Ecclesiastical Relations in the Bureau of Naval Personnel, Chaplain Craven experienced a third war with the l1arines as he served as Staff Chaplain for Fleet Marine Force, Pacific during the height of the Vietnam War. During the last five years of his career of more than thirty years as a naval chaplain, he served with distinction as The Chaplain, U. S. Marine Corps. It has been said that John Craven has experienced more danger under intense enemy fire than any other living Navy chaplain. The contributions of Chaplain Craven as a Navy chaplain are numerous. He was instrumental in the initiation and imple mentation of the Personal Response Program in Vietnam. He improved the channels for providing equipment and supplies in a expeditious manner for Navy chaplains serving with Marine units. He did much to improve relations between the Chaplain Corps and the civilian religious community. At the National Naval Medical Center and elsewhere he encouraged and pioneered
iii in the training 0:1; younger chaplains. His own interest in continuing education is evidenced by his graduate studies at Harvard and by his successful completion of the Doctor of Ministry degree program at McCormick Theological Seminary following his retirement. While performing a truly ecumenical ministry, Chaplain Craven through the years has been noted for his denominational loyalty. He did much while at the ecclesiastical relations desk to make churches and faith groups aware of their constant
c responsibility for their members who were serving in the armed forces. Following his retirement in 1973, he served for a year as pastor of a church in Okinawa under the auspices of the Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. Since 1974, he has served as Director of Social Ministries on the staff of the Norfolk (Virginia) Baptist Association. In John Craven the Navy had the service of one of its truly great chaplains--a person of indefatigible energy, in curable optimism, undaunted faith, and fierce loyalty. While the naval chaplaincy is now experiencing its greatest peace time growth in history, may his tribe increase. ~i.~ ROSS H. TROWER Rear Admiral, CHC, USN Chief of Chaplains
iv P~F~E
This volume contains the reminiscences of John Harold
Craven, 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, prin cipallyin the interest of accuracy; and the editor has made minimal, although 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 re search locations:
Naval Historical Center Operational Archives Branch Building 210 Washington Navy Yard Washington, DC 20374
v Marine Corps Historical Center Attn: Oral History Building 58 Washington Navy Yard Washington, DC 20374 . Director .. Chaplain Resources Board ·Building Z-357 . Naval Station Norfolk, VA 23511 "Director Chaplains School Naval Education and Training Center Newport, RI 02840
. Head, Special Collections Nimitz Library U. S. Naval Academy Annapolis, MD 21402
Director of Oral History . U. S. Naval Institute Annapolis, MD 21402
Historical Commission Southern Baptist Convention 127 Ninth Avenue North _Nashville, TN 37234
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.
While oral history will never supplant written history, it does have its advantages: (1) it presents the human element;
(2) it enlists the contribution 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 addi tional research; and (6) it supplements other collection methods.
vi It is hoped that this oral history transcript will be a worthwhile contribution in one or more ~~ these ways. L fj. ~. V{~Ll1>,; H. LAWRENCE MARTIN
vii TABLE OF CONTENTS
FOREWORD . ii
Rear Admiral Ross H. Trower Chief of Chaplains U. S. Navy
PREFACE. • . . .. • v
LIST OF PHOTOGRAPHS •. . xiii
SUMMARY OF THE LIFE AND CAREER OF JOHN H. CRAVEN xv
SESSION ONE: 21 July 1980
PREPARATION FOR MINISTRY 1
Enlistment in the Marine Corps--Call to the Ministry--Separation to Study for the Ministry- Conviction of Call to the Chaplaincy--Southwest Baptist College and Central Baptist Theological Seminary--Chaplains School at Norfolk, Virginia
FIRST DUTY: SAMPSON NAVAL TRAINING CENTER, NEW YORK 8
A Continued Training Experience--Influence of W. W. Edell--Ministry to Recruits--Cooperation of the Churches
ACTION IN THE MARSHALL ISLANDS . . 11
The 4th Marine Division, 14th Regiment--Training and Preparation at Camp Lejeune--Intensive Training at Camp Pendleton--Counseling Men in the Unit--Hitting Kwajalein Atoll at Midnight (January 1944)--A Quiet Landing, With Action Later--To Maui in the Hawaiian Islands to Prepare for Further Combat
ACTION AT SAIPAN AND TINIAN... 17
viii D-Day at Saipan--A Scorpion Bite--In Danger of Snipers--Visiting the Units--Caring for Casualties--Correspondence With Relatives--the Bronze Star Medal--A Model Landing at Tinian- Fellow Chaplains Wounded--"Mental Damage" of the Japanese--Back to Hawaii
THE INVASION OF IWO JIMA . 21
Training and Preparation at Maui--The Kahalui Baptist Church--Morale Problems--Response to Ministry--The Landing (February 1945)--Foxhole . Experience--Ministry to the Wounded--The Raising of the Flag--Return to Maui--Detachment
THE AFTERMATH OF WAR . . 30
. To the Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, Cali fornia--Giving Advice to Young Chaplains- Deactivation--The Attitude of Chaplains Regarding Their Service--The Morale of Chaplains Due to Demobilization--"The Point is I Don't Plan to . Get Out"--The USS OKALOOGA, A Difficult Situa tion--Other Amphibious Duty--The Temptation of the Pastorate
MINISTERING TO MARINE RECRUITS ...... 38
To Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina--Getting Acquainted With Recruits- Religious Instructions--Baptisrns--Brother Allen a Recruit, Later Chaplain--Chaplain Craven's Recollection of Life as a Recruit--A Ministry of Presence--Pastoral Care of the Staff Personnel- Marine Corps Birthday Celebration
THE KOREAN WAR . . 43
To the Second Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina--Emphasis on Character Guidance- Deployment to the Mediterranean With the Third Battalion, Sixth Marines--War in June 1950--to Japan--Inchon Invasion in August 1950--0verseeing Coverage as Regimental Chaplain of Seventh Marines,
SESSION TWO: 22 July 1980
THE KOREAN WAR (CONTINUED) 47
Personal Views on the War--"Nightmare Alley"- Helping Those Who Were "Shook Up"--The Church
ix Bell Incident--Heavy Casualties at Udamni- Suffering From Extreme Cold--Evacuating Casualties at Hagaru-ri--Toward Koto-ri and Ambushment--To Hamhung and Aboard Ship (December 1950)--Awards--Baptismal Service at Masan--More About Awards
THE BUREAU OF NAVAL PERSONNEL, WASHINGTON, D. C•• 62
To Head Ecclesiastical Relations--Editing the ~ Chaplains Bulletin--Recommendation Re garding Organizational Position of the Chief of Chaplains--Recommendation for a Chaplain on the Staff of Headquarters U. S. Marine Corps--Issue of Uniform to be Worn by Chaplains Serving With Marines--Association With Chaplain Clifford Drury--More About the ~ Chaplains Bulletin--Travel and Speaking Engagements- Dialogue With Endorsing Bodies--First Navy Chaplain Corps Anniversary Observance . USS CORAL SEA (CVA-43) 70
Two Mediterranean Cruises with Bible Studies- The Assistance of Chaplain Roderic L. Smith- Character Education--Church Tours--Israel--Home for Christmas
POSTGRADUATE STUDIES AT HARVARD UNIVERSITY . 75
A Major in Pastoral Theology--Master of Science in Theology Degree--A Practical Study
NAVAL AIR STATION, ATSUGI, JAPAN ...... 78
A Typical Parish Program--the Chapel Council- Bible Study for Japanese Workers on the . Station--Association with Mitsuo Fuchida- Chapel Sponsored Tours--the Gift of the Samuri Sword--Chaplains' Assistants--Addition to the Chapel--A Suit From a Rummage Sale--Additional Duty
MARINE CORPS DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION COMMAND, QUANTICO, VIRGINIA. . 86
A Training Command for Junior Officers--Guest Speakers--Welcoming Officers From Foreign Countries--Becoming Senior Chaplain
NATIONAL NAVAL MEDICAL CENTER, BETHESDA, MARYLAND. 89
x Professional Preparation--Concern With Train ing--Working With the Staff--Recommendation for a Supervisory Chaplain for Hospital Chaplains
SESS ION THREE: II July 1980 FLEET MARINE FORCE, PACIFIC. 93
Personal Response Project--Visits to Vietnam- Concern for Chaplaincy Coverage--The Problem of Supplies--Chapel Construction--Reports--A Handbook for Chaplains
DISTRICT CHAPLAIN, NINTH NAVAL DISTRICT . 105
Addressing Midshipmen in ROTC Units--Working With Seminarians--Relationship With the Chap lains on the Base--An Unusual Communion Service--Traveling, Often With Betty May Along
HEADQUARTERS, U. S. MARINE CORPS, WASHINGTON, D. C. 108
Responsibilities--Inspections and Visits--A Title for the Position--More About Inspections- Work With the Staff on Projects of Mutual Concern--Promotion of Marine Corps Birthday- Improving the Supply System--The Decision to Retire--The Retirement Ceremony
SESSION FOUR: II July 1980 ACTIVE DUTY CAREER IN RETROSPECT 117
An Acknowledged Mistake in Human Relations- The Importance of Divine Calling--A Sense of Reward in Helping People--Working With Churches- Collateral Duties--Advice to Younger Chaplains- The Quality of Chaplains in Today's Navy- Chaplaincy Training--Responsibility of Super visory Chaplains--the Fleet Religious Support Activity--Denominational Relationships- Contact With the Chaplain Corps in Retirement
SECOND CAREER. • ...... 125
With the Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention--Additional Study: the Doctor of Ministry Degree--Director of Social Ministries of the Norfolk (Virginia) Baptist Association
xi CONCLUDING REMARKS . . . . 128
Keeping in Touch With the COrps--Appreciation for Opportunity of Participation in Oral History Program--Expressed Appreciation For Individuals--Optimism About the Future of the Chaplain Corps
INDEX...... 132
xii LIST OF PHOTOGRAPHS
1. CAPTAIN JOHN HAROLD CRAVEN, CHC, USN ••. xiv
2. CHAPLAIN CRAVEN ADMINISTERS BAPTISM. 19-A
Chaplain Craven administers baptism to PFC William P. Read of Glasgow, Kentucky, during the Saipan Tinian Campaign.
3. CHAPLAIN CRAVEN RETURNS A CAPTURED CHURCH BELL . • . 53-A
After three years of persecution, the citizens of Hagaru-ri beside the Chosin Reservoir held their first religious service in a temporary church. LCDR John Craven, attached to the 7th Marine Regiment, returns a church bell that the commu nists had taken and used for the purpose of sounding general quarters.
4. CHAPLAIN CRAVEN TALKS WITH PFC LEO J. LEMAITRE, USMC, IN THE CHOSIN RESERVOIR AREA . 56-A
5. CHAPLAIN CRAVEN LEADS A MEMORIAL SERVICE AT PARRIS ISLAND, 30 MAY 1954 • • • • • • • • 66-A
6. CHAPLAIN ROBERT W. COE, JR., PACIFIC FLEET CHAP LAIN, (IN KHAKI UNIFORM), AND CHAPLAIN CRAVEN MEET CHAPLAIN CRAVEN'S YOUNGER BROTHER, ALLEN, ALSO A CHAPLAIN, AT PEARL HARBOR, HAWAII .... 94-A
xiii t., .•
~APTAtN JOHN HAROLD CRAVEN, CHC, USN A SUMMARY OF THE LIFE AND CAREER OF JOHN HAROLD CRAVEN
Birth Cape Girardeau, Missouri, 12 April 1915
Education Southwest Baptist College, Bolivar, Missouri; A.A., 1937 William Jewell College, Liberty, Missouri; B.A., 1939 Central Baptist Theological Seminary, Kansas City, Kansas; Th.M., 1942 Divinity School, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts; S.T.M., 1956 McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago, Illinois; D.Min., 1976
Ordination First Baptist Church, Chaffee, Missouri, 18 April 1937
Civilian Ministry Student pastorates in Missouri during college and seminary Missionary, Foreign Mission Board, Southern Baptist Conven tion, 1973-74 Director of Social Ministries, Norfolk, (Virginia) Baptist Association, 1974-
Family Marriage: Betty May Smith, 28 July 1940 Children: Carol May, Margaret
Prior Military Service U. S. Marine Corps (Active duty, enlisted), 1933-35 U. S. Marine Corps Reserve (enlisted), 1935-39
Active Commissioned Service 15 October 1942--1 August 1973
Promotion Histor¥ Commissioned L1eutenant (junior grade), CHC, USNR, 24 Septem ber 1942 (Transferred to the Regular Navy in August 1944) Lieutenant, 1 January 1944 Lieutenant Commander, 1 January 1946 Commander, 1 July 1954 Captain, 1 July 1961
xv Duty Assignments Chaplains School, Norfolk, Virginia, October--December 1942 Sampson Naval Training Center, Geneva, New York, December 1942--June 1943 4th Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force, June 1943--June 1945 Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, California, June 1945--September 1946 USS OKALO05A (APA-2l9), September 1946--April 1947 USS CAMBRIA (APA-36), as Staff Chaplain for Transport Divi sion 22, April--July 1947 USS MOUNT OLYMPUS (AGC-8), as member of Amphibious Group Staff, August 1947--January 1948 Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina, January 1948--January 1950 2nd Marine Division, January--August 1950 1st Marine Division, August 1950--January 1951 Bureau of Naval Personnel, Washington, D.C.; February 1951- July 1954 USS CORAL SEA (CVA-43), July 1954--August 1955 Duty under instruction, Divinity School, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, August 1955--June 1956 Naval Air Station, Atsugi, Japan, July 1956--August 1959 Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, Virginia, August 1959- July 1962 National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, July 1962- July 1964 . Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, August 1964--June 1967 Ninth Naval District, Great Lakes, Illinois, July 1967- August 1968 Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Washington, D.C., August 1968--August 1973
Awards and Decorations Legionof Merit with Combat "V", 1950 Gold Star in lieu of a second award, 1973 Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V", 1944 Gold star in lieu of a second award, 1950 Navy Commendation Medal, 1967 Presidential Unit Citation (3 stars) Navy Unit Commendation American Campaign Medal Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (4 stars) World War II Victory Medal Navy Occupation Service Medal (European clasp) Korean Service Medal (3 stars) United Nations Service Medal National Defense Medal (Authorized to wear the Fleet Marine Force combat insignia on the Asiatic-Pacific and Korean Campaign Medals)
Retirement 1 August 1973
xvi