The Spiritual Soldiers of World War II

One of my favorite characters in The War Song Series is Carson. When we first meet Ava’s brother, he is playful, gutsy, and moody. His character goes through a spiritual transformation when he is denied by the Army and must find other ways to help with the war effort. Unexpectedly, God calls him to be a pastor, he is ordained, and becomes a chaplain at nearby Fort McClellan, ministering to German Prisoners of War and the very men his brother is fighting against.

I have a special place in my heart for pastors as my dad is a pastor and missionary. During World War II, pastors or chaplains were essential. They provided soldiers with spiritual encouragement, help, and consolation before, during, and after battle. According to the WW2 US Medical Research Centre, there were 2,796 chaplains in the European Theater of Operations by May 1, 1945. Of these, 863 were Catholic, 441 were Baptist, 342 were Methodist, 201 were Lutheran, 171 were Presbyterian, 127 were Disciples of Christ, 102 were Episcopal, 91 were Congregational, 67 were Jewish, 60 were Evangelical Reformed, 27 were United Brethren, 23 were Salvation Army, and 281 were classified as other.

These chaplains worked in hospitals, at embarkation points, in stockades, on the battlefield, and on troop ships. They provided routine religious instruction, baptisms, marriages, and funerals. In battle, they served over and above their roles as pastors. They prayed with suffering men, assisted medics in providing emergency care to the wounded, helped carry fallen soldiers to hospitals, listened to dying men, helped identify those who died, and even dug graves.

Sadly, some also gave their lives in battle. During World War II, 24 were killed in action, 66 were wounded, and 8 were captured and then released. If chaplains were captured during the war, they were not considered Prisoners of War and were expected to be returned to their home nation immediately unless they were retained to minister to POWs with them.

For their vital services, chaplains were appreciated and honored during the war, with 246 receiving awards and decorations. Four chaplains received the Distinguished Service Cross, six received the Legion of Merit, 48 received the Silver Star, 133 received the Bronze Star, and 54 received the Purple Heart.

In The War Song Series, Carson serves as many real-life chaplains did at a training facility. Fort McClellan did not neglect soldiers’ and its POWs’ spiritual needs. The fort’s Silver Chapel held regular services. A schedule for October 19, 1941 showed the chapel as having Roman Catholic Confessions at 9:00 a.m., Roman Catholic Mass at 9:30 a.m., Sunday School at 10:15 a.m., a Protestant Service at 11:00 a.m., and a Christian Science Service at 2:30 p.m. Other services were held at the Station Hospital. There were Roman Catholic Confessions at 7:00 a.m., Roman Catholic Mass at 7:30 a.m., a Bible Study at 9:30 a.m., a Protestant Service at 10:00 a.m., and a Jewish Service at 8:45 a.m. Other Jewish services were held on Fridays and Saturdays. A variety of chaplains facilitated these services. Chaplain Leahy and Chaplain Bellamy provided the Catholic services, Chaplain Hipps provided the Protestant services, and Chaplain Leif provided the Jewish services. The POWs were not forgotten. At the front of their compound, there was a chapel just for them.

During this Easter season, we once again look to our pastors and chaplains for religious guidance. I am thankful for those spiritual soldiers who served in World War II and for those who serve our military today.

“Are you wanting to pastor a church nearby?” Victoria asked. She had always longed for a son in the ministry.

“Actually, I…,” Carson paused, “I want to be a chaplain at the P.O.W. camp first.”

Songbird, Chapter 45

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