to love and serve world war II chaplains of the new england province of jesuits Edited by Joseph P. Duffy, S.J., Boston College dedicated to: graduates of new england jesuit higher education and secondary school institutions who died serving their country to love and serve Table of Contents 5 Acknowledgements 31–32 Bronze Star Medal 6 – 7 Introduction 33 Navy and Marine Corps Medal chapter 1 34 Air Force Commendation Medal 8 – 9 First Chaplain 35 Army Commendation Medal chapter 2 36 Benemerenti Medal 10 Men for Others 11 – 25 Chaplain Service Records chapter 4 37 In Their Own Words chapter 3 38–39 Fighting in France 26 – 36 The Medals and the Men 40–4 The Bravest Man 26 – 27 Citations and Awards 1 I Ever Knew 28 Medal of Honor 42–43 The American Spirit 29 Purple Heart 44–58 Journey to Morocco 30 Legion of Merit 3 | table of contents to love and serve Table of Contents (continued) 59 Battlefield Promotion 81 Appendices 60 Darwin’s Dead 82–86 New England Province Military Chaplains, 61–64 Worship in Wartime 1918–2014 65–68 Parable of Redemption 87–89 New England Province 69 Pastoral Ministry Military Chaplains, Number By Year, 70–73 The Padre Reports 1942–2014 74–79 Veterans Day Remembrance 90 New England Province Military Chaplains, 80 Afterword Post World War II 91–93 Photo Gallery 4 | table of contents to love and serve Acknowledgements this volume would not have been possible without the exhaustive research of gerard f. giblin, s.j. on jesuits as chaplains in the armed forces. Much of this story of New England Province Jesuit Chaplains in World War II is built on that firm foundation. More immediately I am indebted to David Horn, Special Projects Librarian, Burns Library, Boston College and Shelley Barber, Reference and Archives Specialist, Burns Library, for their cooperation, especially in retrieving materials. eserving special appreciation is Alice project and for making available the expertise Howe, Curator of Collections, New Eng- of his staff in bringing it to completion. D land Jesuit Archives, College of the Holy I also wish to acknowledge America and Cross. Her editing, formatting and constructive Company magazines for granting permission suggestions were immensely helpful. She was also to reprint articles from their publications that more than generous with her time during my visits are valuable contributions to this story of a to Holy Cross and provided for my review and con- special time in Jesuit and American history. sideration everything that I requested as well as ad- Finally, my deep gratitude to my good friend ditional materials she thought might be of interest. and colleague, the late Dr. Thomas H. O’Connor, And worthy of special mention is Ben Birnbaum, University Historian, Boston College, for his Executive Director, Office of Marketing Communi- constant encouragement, gentle guidance and cations, for his interest in and his support of this professional assistance all along the way. 5 | acknowledgements to love and serve Introduction in the Contemplation on the Love of God that concludes the Spiritual Exercises of St. ignatius, the grace petitioned is that one “may be able in all things to love and serve”1 the Lord. That ideal of love and service is at the heart of the Jesuit vocation and the motivating force behind whatever apostolic activities are undertaken on behalf of the People of God. That this extends to the men and women in the armed forces of their respective countries should come as no surprise. Such service has been part of Jesuit history since its earliest years. ev. James Laynez, S.J., who succeeded St. really profit from this, for by their peace of mind Ignatius as General of the Society of Jesus, and confidence in God they will better fulfill their 2 Rwas the first Jesuit to serve as a military duties in the war.” chaplain. In 1550 he was invited by John de Vega Despite all the changes over the centuries in to accompany him and his men in a war against how wars are conducted, the role of the Catholic pirates in the eastern Mediterranean. As chaplain chaplain has remained essentially the same in our Laynez ministered to both the physical and spir- own nation as well as in nations throughout the itual needs of the fighting forces. From this experi- world. And Jesuits have been leaders among those ence he offered advice about engaging chaplains who have served their various countries with honor in the military to John de la Cerda, who had been and distinction. Rev. Gerard F. Giblin, S.J. has appointed Viceroy of Sicily after de Vega’s death. documented the records of Jesuits in the United “I believe that our Lord will be very well served States who served in the Armed Forces from 1917 3 and Your Excellency much consoled if you send to 1960. Building on his detailed report, this some good religious along on this expedition, men volume focuses on Jesuits from the New England who will be true servants of God and who will seek Province during World War II. At its peak in 1945, the salvation of souls. By prayer and good example, 246 American Jesuits were serving at chaplains. by preaching and hearing confessions, by nurs- The second largest number was from the New ing the sick and helping the dying, these men will England Province (54); only the New York do a tremendous amount of good. They will teach Province had more (59). the soldiers the proper motives for fighting, keep They were a part of what Tom Brokaw has them from quarreling among themselves, and will called “The Greatest Generation.” They responded call them to task for blasphemies and gambling. to our nation’s and our world’s need in the Finally, I know that the soldiers of our nation will company of and in support of young men mostly, 1 The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. (New York: Catholic Book Publishing, 1956), 115. 2 Joseph H. Fichter, James Laynez, Jesuit. (St. Louis, B. Herder Book Co., 1944), 277. 6 | introduction to love and serve Introduction (continued) much younger than themselves, and many the words of others, we catch a glimpse, not thousands of whom gave their lives in the only of their own generous service and often fight for freedom. All of these Chaplains have courageous accomplishments, but also of their long since gone to their eternal reward and, appreciation and admiration for the youth of like those whom and with whom they served, our nation and for what one Chaplain described with stories untold. Through their service as “The American Spirit.” records, citations for “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity,” “meritorious achievement” May 2014 and “heroic conduct,” and in their own and in Joseph P. Duffy, S.J. 3 Gerard F. Giblin, “Jesuits as Chaplains in the Armed Forces,” Woodstock Letters, 89, 323-482. 7 | introduction chapter 1 | to love and serve First Chaplain in american jesuit history one of the first to serve as a chaplain in the military was none other than the renowned fr. john mcelroy, s.j., founder of boston college. For reasons pragmatic and political rather than religious or spiritual, President James Polk was anxious to have Catholic priests appointed as chaplains to American troops in the war against Mexico. ith the help of three Roman Catholic After a long and difficult journey Father bishops, he was able to secure the McElroy arrived in Matamoras, Mexico where he Wservices of Fr. John McElroy, S.J. at remained for a little more than ten months in 1846 the age of 64 and Fr. Anthony Rey, S.J., who and 1847 during which time he had been almost was 39 years of age. constantly sick, suffering from a hernia condition. The nature of their appointment was spelled This became so painful that some six months after out in a letter to Fr. McElroy from the Secretary his arrival in Matamoras he was unable to mount a of War W. L. Marcy. “It is proper that I should horse to carry him around to the various hospitals. apprize you that the existing laws do not authorize Still it was in the various army hospitals that most the President to appoint and commission chaplains, of his apostolic work was accomplished. His routine but he has authority to employ persons to perform involved daily Mass in a covered shed which served 4 such duties as appertain to chaplains.” Marcy had as a sacristy, visits to the various buildings used as requested Fr. McElroy for his views of what those hospitals, other visits to either troops moving up to duties might include and he was evidently pleased support the U. S. Army or returning units awaiting that Marcy expressed them in his letter to General discharge. As if this were not enough, in whatever Zachary Taylor, notifying him of their assignment. time he could spare, he began classes for the chil- “…it is his (Polk’s) wish that they be received in that dren of both merchants and Army personnel and character (as chaplains) by you and your officers, giving instructions to converts to Catholicism. be respected as such and be treated with kindness But apparently because of his age and physical and courtesy – that they should be permitted to condition, in April 1847 he was directed by his have intercourse with the soldiers of the Catholic religious superior to return to Georgetown as soon Faith – to administer to them religious instruction, as convenient. (His fellow chaplain, Fr. Anthony to perform divine service for such as may wish to Rey, S.J., had been murdered by highway robbers attend whenever it can be done without interfering in 1847 during this conflict.) Before his return he with their military duties, and to have free access to reflected on his ministry in Mexico and on the good 5 the sick or wounded in hospitals or elsewhere.” that can be accomplished in serving as a chaplain 4 John McElroy, “Chaplains for the Mexican War – 1846,” Woodstock Letters, 15, 200.