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Serving God and Country: U.S. Military Chaplains in World War II
In World War II, more than twelve thousand Protestant ministers, Catholic priests, and Jewish rabbis joined the Chaplain Corps. They were men of faith under fire.
And they would charge straight into Hell to save the soul of a single soldier…
Representing America’s three major religious traditions, volunteers from across the country enlisted as noncombatant commissioned officers to provide spiritual strength and guidance for those fighting men who never knew if they were going to survive.
Armed only with Bibles, Torahs, and the tools of their holy trade, these men of God went wherever the troops went. They prayed over men about to go into combat on land, at sea, and in the air. And, most important and difficult of all, they guided fallen fighting men of every faith as they breathed their last, and gave up their lives in the fight against tyranny.
These are the personal stories of some of the bravest and most selfless men who served with the armed forces. Many lost their lives or suffered debilitating wounds as they strived to keep the military personnel spiritually awake, morally fit—and prepared to make the journey from this world to the next without fear or despair, and with the trust of the Almighty in their hearts.
INCLUDES PHOTOGRAPHS
And they would charge straight into Hell to save the soul of a single soldier…
Representing America’s three major religious traditions, volunteers from across the country enlisted as noncombatant commissioned officers to provide spiritual strength and guidance for those fighting men who never knew if they were going to survive.
Armed only with Bibles, Torahs, and the tools of their holy trade, these men of God went wherever the troops went. They prayed over men about to go into combat on land, at sea, and in the air. And, most important and difficult of all, they guided fallen fighting men of every faith as they breathed their last, and gave up their lives in the fight against tyranny.
These are the personal stories of some of the bravest and most selfless men who served with the armed forces. Many lost their lives or suffered debilitating wounds as they strived to keep the military personnel spiritually awake, morally fit—and prepared to make the journey from this world to the next without fear or despair, and with the trust of the Almighty in their hearts.
INCLUDES PHOTOGRAPHS
304 pages, Hardcover
First published August 7, 2012
16 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
About the author
Lyle Wesley Dorsett
25 books23 followersLyle W. Dorsett received his B.A. in history (1960) and M.A. in history (1962) from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and his Ph.D. in history from the University of Missouri-Columbia (1965). He began his teaching career at the University of Missouri, moving briefly to the Univ. of Southern California and University of Colorado at Denver, before he joined the history department at the University of Denver.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 7, 2020
A friend sent me this book knowing that I read a lot about WWll - mostly non-fiction. She hit the nail on the head on this one. Plaine and simple the stories are about Chaplains serving WWll and what they did to help the military personnel to deal with the unpleasant trials and tribulations they encountered.
You don't read very much on those that are not carrying weapons. Next, I would like to read about the COOKS that served in WWll. Now, that would be interesting.
You don't read very much on those that are not carrying weapons. Next, I would like to read about the COOKS that served in WWll. Now, that would be interesting.
December 11, 2019
2019 bk 404. Every so often a reader runs across a book that changes the way they think, that stuns them, maybe horrifies, but certainly one that has an impact on their emotions and thoughts. This came out of the 25 cent bookshelf at Half Price books and gave me a brain slap. I knew two men who served as chaplains in WWII and mostly picked up this book to see if they were mentioned (one was, the other wasn't). They were quiet men who seemed to not quite fit in their civilian churches - and now I know they both continued to suffer from PTSD - and probably never sought help. The breadth of work of the Service Chaplains was amazing. Many served in the front lines, along with those front line soldiers, many were POW's in some of the worse camps in history. Their duties included one to one counseling, leading small groups, leading mass services, going among the battle dead and wounded, registering names, taking half the dog tags, recording where burial plots were, and writing to families and consoling buddies. They found food, shelter, and clothing for the civilian survivors of war. Served communion and last rites. And though each chaplain was certified in his own denomination - they all were trained in and had to perform the duties of rabbi, pastor, and priest depending on the religious background of the soldiers. For those denominations not having an educated clergy (4 years of college, 3 of seminary), many time lay persons were appointed as assistants - or pastors of those denominations serving in the regular army or navy were appointed or self appointed to serve in the chaplaincy. A moving book about a wartime shortage I had never heard of before. The services were so short of chaplains, that when a Japanese POW identified himself as an English speaking priest, he volunteered or was volunteered to serve with the unit that had captured him. An excellent read and very thought provoking. I wish I had 10 stars to give this.
May 19, 2019
Lyle Dorsett is an academic historian, a Protestant clergyman, a former Marine reservist, and the owner of a small private museum of World War II artifacts that includes “scores of chaplains’ autobiographies.” Obviously, the topic had met the man long before Dorsett actually began formal research. In writing this book, the author intended it not only to fill a gap in the history of World War II—arguing that chaplains “were absolutely essential to America’s victory”—but also to be inspirational, to challenge young Americans to consider becoming military chaplains themselves.
Of course, World War II chaplains held religious services and offered personal counsel, but they had additional government mandated duties as well, such as keeping the grave registration and giving hortatory talks about sexual morality. Nevertheless, the best of the chaplains were flexible enough to provide whatever assistance might make a difference, everything from battlefield rescue, to assembling baseball equipment for bored soldiers, to protecting refugee women from the Russians, to comforting the wounded and dying, and sending letters of condolence to survivors. Dorsett especially endorses chaplains who were ecumenical in spirit and perhaps even overemphasizes the stories of Jewish chaplains, who were a tiny fraction of the total. Interestingly, the chaplaincy also seems to have been the first part of the U. S. military to have desegregated its professional training.
The topic is an intriguing one, and Dorsett writes well enough. The weakness of this book is that it becomes, almost by necessity, a long series of anecdotes.
Of course, World War II chaplains held religious services and offered personal counsel, but they had additional government mandated duties as well, such as keeping the grave registration and giving hortatory talks about sexual morality. Nevertheless, the best of the chaplains were flexible enough to provide whatever assistance might make a difference, everything from battlefield rescue, to assembling baseball equipment for bored soldiers, to protecting refugee women from the Russians, to comforting the wounded and dying, and sending letters of condolence to survivors. Dorsett especially endorses chaplains who were ecumenical in spirit and perhaps even overemphasizes the stories of Jewish chaplains, who were a tiny fraction of the total. Interestingly, the chaplaincy also seems to have been the first part of the U. S. military to have desegregated its professional training.
The topic is an intriguing one, and Dorsett writes well enough. The weakness of this book is that it becomes, almost by necessity, a long series of anecdotes.
March 16, 2019
I have a great uncle who was a Catholic Chaplin in WWII and when I went to the WWII Museum in New Orleans, I wondered if they had more information on what chaplains actually did during the war. I was pleased to buy this book there and learn so much about how chaplains were a part of the war effort. They were considered such an important part of keeping up morale of the troops and also of their families worrying about their sons that the military made considerable effort to support their activities. I was impressed with their bravery and their selfless sacrifices, often working for days without sleep to support those in their care. One interesting facet of this history is the forced ecumenical approach they had to take. There were not enough chaplains to go around, so they were all trained to and then helped support the spiritual needs of not only their own faith, but that of the others. They were divided into Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish.
This book takes you through the course of the war in both the Pacific and European Theatres, highlighting specific battles, events, and individual Chaplains. I learned a lot of additional history, especially on the Pacific, as a result and enjoyed hearing the human stories. So glad we have something to remember these honorable men.
This book takes you through the course of the war in both the Pacific and European Theatres, highlighting specific battles, events, and individual Chaplains. I learned a lot of additional history, especially on the Pacific, as a result and enjoyed hearing the human stories. So glad we have something to remember these honorable men.
September 1, 2018
This is a very good book! It is well researched, and the author describes what chaplains of all faiths endured and accomplished by their service to country and their God. One military leader stated that along with medics and nurses, chaplains were the backbone of the military during WWII. Chaplains were sometimes on the front lines with "their boys" providing comfort and spiritual guidance through some of the bloodiest battles of the war. Even their acts of heroism are well documented, as in the case of The Four Chaplains. They did all they could to make sure that they provided worship services and sacraments to the troops. If you like WWII history, and also like reading about faith, I think you will like this. I highly recommend this title!
August 24, 2019
i am moved by the stories of heroism and sacrifices of the chaplains during the war. even though they don’t carry guns to fight. to kill. they were in the thick of battle. in the foxholes giving comfort and to listen to the words of the dying. to give them solace and a sense of peace in a world of madness.
February 22, 2020
Historical narrative of those that wore the uniform, were in the thick of battle, but did not carry a weapon, nor fight.
March 11, 2023
Very interesting book on a subject barely mentioned when it comes to the military. I would recommend reading this book for historians of military history.
November 26, 2024
Great, objective book covering a variety of chaplain's impacts. Not hagiographic, but realistic. Very good.
September 6, 2025
This was a great book; the anecdotes almost made me feel as though I were there. I wish I had been able to encounter one of these chaplains when I needed one during my enlisted years.
September 24, 2014
Recently someone petulantly asked me why the military even bothers to have chaplains? After all, pretty much all of our bases have plenty of churches around them and why couldn't the local churches take care of the spiritual needs of anyone that wanted to attend?
To give a short answer, military folks have to be ready to deploy to the other side of the world (if need be) and the military stands ready to send spiritual encouragers with them that know the military and get what serving is like. This book gives an overview of the different theaters of war and tells the stories of many of the chaplains deployed along with the US forces. Many of them did more than preach sermons. They wrote notification letters to the families of all member's who died in combat. They crawled along the front lines rescuing wounded and taking them to the medical help. Many of them were wounded and even killed. One Naval chaplain was awarded the Medal of Honor. Several were given Silver Stars or distinguished service crosses.
This book is an overview of what serving as a chaplain was like, the challenges it entailed, and shares a trove of anecdotes from servicemen who experienced the ministrations of a chaplain or were chaplains.
To give a short answer, military folks have to be ready to deploy to the other side of the world (if need be) and the military stands ready to send spiritual encouragers with them that know the military and get what serving is like. This book gives an overview of the different theaters of war and tells the stories of many of the chaplains deployed along with the US forces. Many of them did more than preach sermons. They wrote notification letters to the families of all member's who died in combat. They crawled along the front lines rescuing wounded and taking them to the medical help. Many of them were wounded and even killed. One Naval chaplain was awarded the Medal of Honor. Several were given Silver Stars or distinguished service crosses.
This book is an overview of what serving as a chaplain was like, the challenges it entailed, and shares a trove of anecdotes from servicemen who experienced the ministrations of a chaplain or were chaplains.
March 26, 2017
An invaluable book for any Chaplain and those who want a better understanding of how Chaplains served in World War II.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews