C^OKFlDEMGE in battle, imrm.KnoN m peace THE 0NITI: A ID "ft /f'V ^'O a bt A T^nv BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY CONFIDENCE IN BATTLE INSPIRATION IN PEACE THE UNITED STATES ARMY CHAPLAINCY 1945-1975 By Rodger R. Venzke Volume V OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF CHAPLAINS DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY WASHINGTON, D.C. 1977 ... to the American Soldier and the Guardian of his Faith : FOREWARD This volume is one of a series of five prepared by various authors, designed to be useful and instructive regarding the long history of the United States Army Chaplaincy. The emphasis throughout is on how chaplains did their ministry in the contexts of both war and peace. The series seeks to present as full and as balanced an account as limitations of space and research time permit. The bibliography in each volume offers opportunities for further research leading to detailed studies, articles, monographs, and perhaps even volumes regarding persons, developments, and events of the periods concerned. No attempt has been made to express any specific point of view or to make policy recommendations. The con- tents of each volume represent the work of the individual author and do not represent the official view of the United States government. An effort has been made to make this volume as complete and factual as possible. In the light of new information and developments, there may be modifications required concerning the material, interpretations, and conclusions presented. Such corrections, additions, and suggestions as readers may have are welcome for use in future revisions; they should be addressed to Director of Support US Army Chaplain Center and School ATTN: Historian Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island, NY 10305 The author of this volume is Chaplain Rodger R. Venzke, a Regular Army chaplain of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Chaplain Venzke, a native of Wisconsin, was Pastor of a civilian congregation in Frazee, Minnesota, prior to his entry on active duty in 1963. He has served at Fort Bliss, Texas; Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C.; the Staff and Faculty, US Army Chaplain Center and School, Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island, N.Y. and overseas, in Vietnam and Germany. He has earned and received the Master of Science Degree from Long Island University, New York, and the Master of Sacred Theology Degree from New York Theological Seminary, New York. He has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and the Army Commendation Medal. ORRIS E. KELLY Chaplain (Major General) US Army Chief of Chaplains iii — PREFACE There are some obvious dangers in writing a history of recent events, not least of which is the great availability of critics. Researching, writing, and evaluating the events of centuries long past, after all, only receive an honest appraisal from others who have done the same, an exercise of scholars matching sources; the recording of recent events, however, pits the author's words against the memories of those who are still alive and well. Author Ingrid Bengis struggled with that problem in her article "Truth or Honesty" (New York Times, 26 November 1973, p. 31 ) . When a woman who appeared in one of her books objected that she should have been portrayed "the way I am," the writer replied; "But I have. I've tried to show the essence of you, according to my own perceptions." "But your perceptions are different from my perceptions," protested the woman. "That's exactly the point," replied the writer. In a sense, the same could be said of my approach to the past 30 years of the United States Army Chaplaincy. Along with the other four who have labored on volumes covering preceding eras, I was asked to produce an objective, readable account, focusing on the ministry of the Army chaplaincy within an established, limited space. Unquestionably, the most difficult of those guidelines, especially for the period from 2 September 1945 to the "present," was the element of objectivity attempting to deal with the subject material apart from personal reflections or feelings. For someone not only living in the era, but also working within the institution, this is somewhat like attempting to describe the architecture of a house while sitting in the living room, absorbed with the structure's atmosphere as a home. Others within the .," "house" will rightfully conclude: "But you didn't mention . .," "That's not exactly the way it is . saying essentially, "Your perceptions are different from my perceptions." I can only reply also, "That's exactly the point." Future historians will be able to be more coldly objective regarding this period of the chaplaincy, but they, in turn, will be disadvantaged because they were not there and did not personally experience the milieu in which many of the events took place. For them, hopefully, this limited volume may help to recapture : vi PREFACE some of that mood as well as the facts of those of us who lived and served during this period as chaplains in the Unitel States Army. I am particularly grateful to those many individuals who helped to contribute to the following pages. Most of that gratitude goes to the chaplains, both retired and on active duty, who shared their experiences through questionnaires, personal and recorded interviews, and corre- spondence, including material from their personal files. Appreciation is also extended to the personnel at the National Archives, the West Point Military Academy Library, the U.S. Army Military History Research Center, the U.S. Army War College Library, and the General Commis- sion on Chaplains and Armed Forces Personnel. Various individuals in the Office of the Army Chief of Chaplains were most gracious in answer- ing my persistent questions, as were the personnel at the U.S. Army Re- serve Components and Personnel Administration Center. But special laurels are reserved for those at the U.S. Army Chaplain Center and School, without whose support and work this volume would not have been possible: the Commandant, Chaplain (COL) Chester R. Lindsey, the Librarian, Chaplain (COL) Dick J. Oostenink, USAR, and the proofreaders and "bosses," Chaplain (COL) William E. Paul, Jr., and Chaplain (LTC) James H. Young. Finally, included among that latter group are those wonderful people who toiled to make it all legible Patricia L. O'Connell, who transcribed the recorded interviews, and Charlesetta L. Sizemore, Constance C. Hanlon, Anna M. Buther, and Joseph S. De Fazio of the Chaplain School Composing Room. Fort Wadsworth, New York Rodger R. Venzke 15 May 1975 Chaplain (MAJ), USA This publication contains copyrighted material CONTENTS Chapter page I. IN THE AFTERMATH OF WORLD WAR Giving Thanks for Peace 1 Returning to Civilian Life 3 Continuing the Unique Ministry 5 Serving Among the German War Criminals 7 Ministering to the Japanese War Criminals 12 Serving Other Prisoners of War 14 Working with the Occupation Forces in Europe ... 15 Serving the Occupation Forces in the Far East. ... 24 Footnotes—Chapter I 31 II. SHIFTING FROM GUARD TO THE BACK- FIELD Reacting to the Moods of the Times 36 Seeking an Influential Role 38 Supporting Universal Military Training 39 Instructing the Army in Morality 40 Lecturing From Fort Knox to the Marianas 42 Refining the Influential Role 44 Disposing of War Surplus 46 Establishing the Air Force Chaplaincy 47 Ministering to the Veteran 49 Reviewing the Ministry at West Point 50 Advising and Coordinating for Better Service .... 51 Developing Better Training 52 Preparing Qualified Assistants 56 Evaluating the Chaplain's Significant Role 57 Footnotes—Chapter II 60 III. WARRING IDEOLOGIES—THE BATTLE FOR KOREA Returing to the Battlefield 64 Ministering to the First in Combat 66 Rendering the Highest Devotion 68 Vll viii CONTENTS Chapter page III. Recalling the Reserves 71 Praying with the Defeated and the Victorious 73 Influencing Korean Religious Attitudes 77 Serving the Army on the Move 79 Suffering under the Chinese Intervention 82 Mixing Sweat and Blood with Korean Soil 86 Serving in a Stalemate 89 Surviving with Determination 94 Footnotes—Chapter III 98 IV. RESPONDING TO THE STRATEGIC OP- PORTUNITIES Lacking Early Unity against Discrimination 102 Revitalizing Chapel Organizations 106 Attempting to Unify Religious Education 109 Establishing Programs for Religious Retreats 113 Enhancing Chaplain Training 1 16 Developing Specialized Skills 120 Accepting the Challenges with the Guidon 123 Building New Houses of Worship 131 Footnotes—Chapter IV 133 V. VIETNAM: THE LONGEST WAR WITH PRO- LONGED EFFECTS Gliding Slowly into Fury 137 Establishing a Ministry in an Embryo War 139 Serving Quietly in a Time of Turmoil 142 Struggling to Minister in the Face of Debate 147 Giving with Compassion 149 Honoring the Common for Uncommon Deeds .... 1 54 Responding to Atrocity 157 Accepting New Challenges in Counseling 159 Struggling to Help with Body and Spirit 163 Weeping with Those Who Mourn 167 Ending with Honor where Honor is Due 1 69 Footnotes—Chapter V 172 EPILOGUE 177 BIBLIOGRAPHY 181 INDEX 195 : CHAPTER I In the Aftermath of World War GIVING THANKS FOR PEACE The second day of September 1945 was a Sunday, and it seemed as if the battleship Missouri, anchored in Tokyo Bay, momentarily became the pulpit in a world cathedral. The brief, 20-minute ceremony was like a great liturgy of peace, and the homily was delivered by Douglas Mac- Arthur : . We have had our last chance. If we do not now devise some greater and more equitable system Armageddon will be at our door. The problem basically is theological and involves a spiritual recrudescence and improvement of human character that will syn- chronize with our almost matchless advance in science, art, litera- ture and all material and cultural developments of the past two thousand years. It must be of the spirit if we are to save the flesh.