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by

Henry F. Ackermann

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF CHAPLAINSDEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

WASHINGTON, DC 1989

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Figure 1. Chaplain (MAJ) John B. Porter , attached to the 173d AirborneBrigade , in a rubber plantation north of Bien Hoa, Vietnam.

FOREWORD

Duties of Chaplains ...

The primary mission of the chaplain is to provide for the religiousand moral needs of military personnel , their families , and authorizedcivilians with special attention given to the welfare of the soldier. In ac-complishing his mission , the chaplain will seek to develop a relationshipof trust and mutual respect between himself and all members of the com-mand. So far as practicable , each chaplain will provide a dynamic andcomprehensive program of chaplain activities to include generally thefollowing areas :

a. Religious services . These services will include ... services of wor-ship , religious missions , religious retreats , marriages , baptisms, funerals ,and other sacraments , rites , and/or ordinances .

b . Religious education . . .c . Pastoral care . . . . The chaplain will seek to

(1.) Develop a pastoral relationship with members of the com-mand, by participating in activities of the command, by visiting soldiersduring duty and off-duty hours without interfering with the soldier'sofficial duties or his privacy . . .

(2.) Make himself available to all members of the commandfor interviews, guidance , counseling, and spiritual help.

(3.) Assist in the rehabilitation of personnel in confinement bycounseling and instruction and by cooperating with members of thestaff . . .

(4.) Provide spiritual support and help to the sick and theirfamilies by visita tions, counseling, appropriate religious ministrations,and other appropriate assistance as a member of the healing team.

- Army Regulation 165-20

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Your first and most important step [as a chaplain] is associating yourselfclosely with your troops . This can be done most effec tively by participa-tion in the things that they are doing , and tha t m eans . . . getting intothe field with them. It means identifying yourself with their ... pro-grams. You must share their misery , their burdens, their victories andtheir defeats , and be one of them . . .

. . . You have been selected for a position that is most enviable -that of serving both God and Country. Fortunately, these missions are

so mutually dependent that doing each well further enhances the other.

Excerpts from an address givenby Brigadier General A.O. Connor ,Deputy Commanding General ,Fort Dix , NJ , toChaplains Graduating fromthe Basic Chaplain Course ,March 14 , 1962 .

•VI

PREFACE

In mid-1984 the U.S. Army Chief of Chaplains , Chaplain (MG) PatrickJ. Hessian determined the necessity of compiling a history of the U.S.Army chaplain ministry during the Vietnam Conflict. Many of thechaplains who had served in Vietnam were retiring from the Army, leavingbehind little or no record of their experiences - experiences which wouldnot only be part of the historical record, but also would be beneficialto a new generation of chaplains. If lessons are to be learned from history,the history must first be written. Using that basic premise, and with ahistory of the U.S . Army chaplain ministry during the Vietnam Conflictas the end product, plans were formulated and the author began hisresearch in September 1984.

Methodology

Methodology used in writing this history was:a. Search the existing literature in the field ; review retired files from

the Office of the Chief of Chaplains (OCCH) from 1962 through 1975;and peruse OCCH Historical Reviews for the same time period ex-trapolating pertinent information .

b. Prepare oral histories describing ministry in the Vietnam Conflict.Extensive taped interviews with 40 selecte_d chaplains (chosen becauseof their assignment and/or achievements) were done by the author inlate 1985 and early 1986 . Each chaplain was interviewed at length abouthis Vietnam and related experiences. Interviews were then transcribed,producing a manuscript which was sent to the interviewee for editing.The final version , with permission granted for its use , was then returned -»to the Office of the Chief of Chaplains as a historical account of chaplainministry . Oral histories , dealing primarily with that part of their careerwhich included the Vietnam era, were also taken from two of the threechaplains who were Army Chiefs of Chaplains during that time. The threeChiefs of Chaplains were :

Chaplain (MG) Charles E. Brown, Jr., retired, Chief of Chaplains fromNovember 1, 1962. through July 31, 1967.

Chaplain (MG)Francis L. Sampson, retired , Chief of Chaplains fromAugust 2, 1967 , through July 31 , 1971.

Chaplain (MG) Gerhardt W. Hyatt, retired, Chief of Chaplains fromAugust 1, 1971, through July 31 , 1975.

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THE U.S. ARMY CHAPLAIN MI NISTRY IN THE VIET NAM CONFLICT

Chaplain Hyatt was not interviewed . In August 1985 , Chaplain H ya tthad traveled from his office at Lutheran Church , Missouri Synod head-quarters in St. Louis , Missouri , to Washington , DC , to be interviewedfor this history. Chaplain Hyatt had a heart attack one day before hisscheduled interview , and died a few days later .

There is , however , other information about and from Chaplain Hyattthat was used in this study . An oral history of Chaplain Hyatt is availableat the U.S. Army Military History Institute , in Carlisle , Pennsylvania ,and the retired files of the Office of the Chief of Chaplains containslengthy correspondence to and from Chaplain Hyatt while he was Direc-tor of Personnel in the Office of the Chief of Chaplains (1967 -1968) ;MACV Command Chaplain (October 1968-0ctober 1969); Deputy Chiefof Chaplains (january 1970-August 1971 ); and Chief of Chaplains (August1971-July 1975).

c. Survey chaplains and others who served in Vietnam. Data was neededto accurately describe the ministry or tJ .5. Army chaplains during theVietnam Conflict. It was believed that the best approach was to solicitinformation from those who served as chaplains in Vietnam and fromsoldiers served by chaplains. After discussion and consideration of variousinformation-gathering methods , the decision was made to develop twosurvey instruments with the Opinion Survey Division , U.S. Army Sup-port Center, National Capital Region , Alexandria , VA. The surveys weresent to chaplains and other soldiers who had served in the Republic ofVietnam.

The survey responses , and any additional data supplied by theresponders , were the major sources of information for this study. However,the purpose of the surveys was not limited to solicitation of a historicalnarrative of chaplain ministry during the Vietnam Conflict. The Chiefof Chaplains needed data to describe and evaluate the quality and ade-quacy of chaplain training for combat ministry during the Vietnam Con-flict , and to assist today's chaplaincy in developing training , Programs,and doctrine for ministry in the U .S. Army. The survey results are con-tained in Appendix A.

Acknowledgments

I am indebted to the men and women who took the time to answerthe questions asked in the surveys. Without their thoughtful and detailedcomments , this would likely be a com pila tion of statistics and a listingof events. The personal experiences shared through the surveys anddiscussed in the interviews give the facts life . Many of these experiences

•• •vln

PREFACE

were difficult to write or talk about , but they poignantly tell the storyof the Vietnam Conflict from the point of view of those who were there -those who took part in the making of history. My hope is that the narra-tion of their experiences will give insight into the ministry of chaplainsand chaplains assistants , and into the life and spirit of the individualsoldier in a combat environment.

Extremely helpful were three works that provided almost all the infor-mation necessary to put U.S . Army chaplain ministry in Vietnam in theproper context. Two books by Shelby L. Stanton - The Rise and FallofAn American Army, and Vietnam Order of Battle; and Vietnam WarAlmanac, by Harry G. Summers , Jr. . were indispensable in understan-ding the units and milieu in which ministry took place. I am also gratefulto Chaplain (COL) Rodger R. Venzke for his book, Confidence in Bat-tle, Inspiration in Peace, which covers the history of the U.S. Armychaplaincy from 1945-1975 . I have tried to avoid duplicating any of thematerial dealing with Vietnam. That information along with this volumeprovide the history of U.S. Army chaplain ministry in Vietman.

Special thanks are due to Dr. William Hourihan, historian at the U.S.Army Chaplain Center and School. His suggestions and critical readingof the manuscript were invaluable. I am also grateful to Professor JayLuvaas at the Army War College for his encouragement , assistance withoutlining the approach taken , and for his reading of the final manuscript.

Sergeant First Class Walter E. Holloway was extremely helpful. Heknew where to take papers , photos , documents , and surveys for reproduc-tion , and he performed many of the tedious tasks that are seldom recog-nized but which are critical to producing something of this scope.

I reserve the last words of gratitude for my wife , Marie. Her assistanceand encouragement kept me on track. When I searched for the rightword or phrase , she searched with me. Marie read each chapter as itwas completed, and performed the crucial first editing in a thoroughlyprofessional manner. And, perhaps most importantly , she lived throughand endured the pains of a three-year birth process. I am grateful forher help and love.

Henry F. AckermannColonel , USA Retired

•IX

CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1. RESPONDING TO THE NEED FOR MINISTRYPage

In Remembrance of Them 1The Beginnings of Ministry in the

Republic of Vietnam 3U.S. Army Chaplains Arrive in Vietnam 5Early Experiences in Ministry 6Getting Organized 8The Buildup Continues 9Responding to Increased Requirements 10Establishing a Pattern for Ministry 11Expecting the Unexpected 12Looking Ahead 15Endnotes - Chapter 1 15

CHAPTER 2. DIRECTIONS IN LEADERSHIPAn Increasing Involvement 19Preparing Chaplains for Quality Ministry 21Chaplain Assistants 21Training for Ministry in Veitnam 24Guidance for Personnel Assignments 25Jewish Chaplain Ministry 26Confronting Continuing Personnel Needs 28Wrestling with Personnel Issues:

The Interaction Between USARV and theOffice of the Chief of Chaplains 30

Issues Dealt with at MACV 32New Developments in Chaplain Equipment 34Recurring Personnel Concerns 35Refining Personnel Policies 37A New Chief of Chaplains 38

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THE U.S. ARMY CHAPLA IN MIN IST RY IN THE VIETNAM CONFLICT

PageContinuing Coopera tion in Personnel

Matters 38An Increasing Need for Chaplains .41The Drawdown and Accompanying Issues 42Endnotes - Chapter 2 45

CHAPTER 3. M INISTRY WITH MACV ADVISO RY TEAMSAND SPECIAL FORCESChaplains with Advisory T eam s 51U. S. Army Chaplain Advisors to the Army

of the Republic of Vietnam Chaplaincy 54Collaboration in Ministry 56Ministry to Vietnamese Civilians 57Advising ARVN Chaplains in Divisions 58Ministry to the Special Forces Soldier 59An Opportunity for Friendship 61Endnotes - Chapter 3 63

CHAPTER 4. A WORLDWIDE MINISTRY EFFECTED BYEVENTS IN SOUTHEAST ASIANotification of the Next of Kin 68Funerals and Ministry to Bereaved

Families 69V ' , F 'I'ISItS to ami res 70Hospital Ministry Outside of Vietnam 71Ministry in Training Units 72Ministry at Other Installations in the

United States 73Ministry to Those Returning from Service

. V'In ietnarn 74M " . USmistry In AREUR 74Ministry to the Families of Soldiers Serving

, V'In ietnam , 75Ministry at the R&R Center Hawaii 76Summary of Vietnam-Related Ministry

by Chaplains 78Endnotes - Chapter 4 79

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CONTENTS

CHAPTER 5. MINISTRY WITH MEDICAL UNITSPage

Ministry to Casualties: A Shared Ministry 82Medical Care of the American Soldier in the

Republic of Vietnam 82The 44th Medical Brigade 82U .S. Army Hospitals in Vietnam 84Providing Help to Patients ,and Staff 85Ministry to Patients: Care Without

Ceasing 89Strengthened Through Selfless Giving 91Endnotes - Chapter 5 . . . . . 92

CHAPTER 6. MINISTRY TO COMBAT SUPPORT UNITSEngineer Units 97Chaplain Assignment to Engineer Units 98Divisional Engineer Units 100A Practical Approach to Ministry 100Sharing the Dangers 101Opportunities for Outreach 102A Ministry of Opportunity 103Signal Units 104Ministry in Signal Units 105Isolated Site Ministry 106Aviation Units 106Chaplain Assignment Within the Aviation

Brigades 107Ministry in Aviation Units : In the Air and

on the Ground 108First U .S. Chapel Built by American

Soldiers in Vietnam 109Special Aspects of Ministry in Aviation

Groups 110Military Police Units IIIMinistry to the Military Police 112Ministry to the Soldier in Confinement 113A Ministry for All in All Circumstances 115Endnotes - Chapter 6 116

CHAPTER 7. MINISTRY IN SERVICE UNITSThe First Logistical Command 123

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THE U. S. ARMY CHA PLAIN MINISTRY IN THE VIETNAM CO NFLICT

PageChaplain Assignment to the First Logistical

Command 124Support Commands and General Su p port

Groups 125Emphasizing a Helping Ministry 125Ministry in Battalion-Size Service Units 127Transportation Units 129Uncommon Approaches to Ministry 129Serving Motor Transport Units 131Adjutant General Units 133A Ministry to Those in Transition 133Endnotes - Chapter 7 134

CHAPTER 8. MINISTRY IN CAVALRY AND ARTILLERY UNITSArmored Cavalry 139The 11 th Armored Cavalry 139Ministry in the 11 th Armored Cavalry 140Providing Spiritual and Physical Care 141Air Cavalry 142Ministry in Air Cavalry Units 143Artillery Units 143Chaplain Assignments in Artillery Uni ts 144Ministry in Artillery Units 145A Ministry to Many at Diverse Locations 146Endnotes - Chapter 8 146

CHAPTER 9. CHAPLAIN MINISTRY WITH THE DIVISIONS ANDSEPARATE BRIGADES: AN ACTIVE PRESENCEThe Setting for Ministry 149The First Cavalry Division (Airm obile) 150The First Infantry Division 151The Fourth Infantry Division 152The Ninth Infantry Division 153The 23d Infantry Division (AMERICAL) 154The 25th Infantry Division 155The lOlst Airborne Division (Airmobile) 156Brigades from Other Divisions 157The First Brigade , Fifth Infantry Division

(Mechanized) 157

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CONTENTS

PageThe Third Brigade , 82d Airborne Division 158Separate Infantry Brigades 158The 173d Airborne Brigade 158The 199th Infantry Brigade (Light) 159Ministry Within the Divisions and

Brigades 160Getting to the Soldier 160The Initial Deployment of Chaplains with

Units 161From Fort Benning to An Khe 162Side by Side in Combat: The Ia Drang

Valley 163A Brush with Death 165An Emerging Pattern of Ministry 166The Role of the Supervisory Chaplain 167Ministry Provided and Received 168Above and Beyond the Call of Duty 169Helping a Grieving Brother 171Ministry in Mechanized Infantry Units 172The Mobile Riverene Force 172Common Aspects of Ministry 173W orship Services 173Sacramental Ministry 175Ministry to Casualties 177Memorial Services 179Civic Action 180Counseling 181Offering Reconciliation to the Soldier 183Paying the Price for a Successful Ministry 184Ministering While Wounded 185The Ultimate Sacrifice 185Endnotes - Chapter 9 188

CHAPTER 10 . ANOTHER BATTLEFIELD (1969 - 1973)Tet 1968 ··· ·· . 197The Aftermath 197Withdrawal Begins 198Ministering in the Midst of Change 198Chaplain Initiatives in Combating Drug

Abuse 199

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THE U. S. ARM Y CHA PLAIN MINISTRY IN THE VIETNAM CONFLICT

PageMore Extensive Treatment Programs 201Involvement of the Chief of Chaplains 202The Chaplain as a Member of the Drug

Treatment Team 203Drug Abuse Treatment After Vietnam 204Human Relations Ministry 205Opportunities for All 205Chaplain Leadership in a Human Relations

Program for USARV 205The Experience of Black Chaplains in

Vietnam 206Experiences of Other Chaplains 208Hostilities Continue 208Final Months of Ministry in Vietnam 209"O pera tion Holiday" 211The Cease Fire Begins 211Closing Out Remaining Chaplain Ministry 211Saying Goodbye to Friends 213The Last Chaplain and Chaplain Assistant

Leave 213Four Months Later 214Endnotes - Chapter 10 215

EPILOGUE 217ApPENDIX A. Results of Chaplain and Soldier Surveys 219

B. Command Chaplains : U.S . Military AssistanceCommand (MACV), and U .S . ArmyVietnam (USAR V) 270

C. Chaplain and Chaplain Assistant Fatalities. V'm ietnam 271

BIBLIOGRAPHY 273MAPS 281

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