Chaplains

In Italy, Chaplain Israel L. Yost, a Lutheran, is attached to a Fifth Army unit composed of Japanese-Americans. The men are 50% atheists, 25% Buddhists. But Chaplain Yost prayed with them before battle, and buried their dead with Christian rites. Last week 13 of his men became Christians. About 50 others are preparing to.

In Washington, the Office of Chief of Chaplains announced 102 casualties among U.S. Army chaplains since Pearl Harbor. Nineteen were killed in action. The other 83 casualties included deaths from illness and accident as well as wounded, prisoners of war and men missing in action. Seven navy chaplains have died in action.

In Houston, the Episcopal Diocese of Texas set aside $10,000 to help chaplains who return to that diocese when the war ends. The eleven Texas parsons now serving had to resign their parishes because replacements would not accept parishes on a "duration" basis. Said Bishop Clinton Simon Quin: "We are going to take care of every returning rector. We will get them a job within the Diocese. Maybe it will be a church with but 15 or 20 members, where pay is small. The fund set aside will be used to make up the difference in that pay and the amount the rector was making when he joined."

Not all chaplains will want to return to civilian life. Many a younger chaplain hopes to remain in service after the war. Many have been far happier in the Army or Navy than in parish work.

Army officials have taken no action in the matter. But the Navy has opened regular appointments to all chaplains who went into service before Sept. 30, 1942, and were then under 34. That age would allow 30 years' service and full retirement pay. Of the eligible chaplains, 70% have applied for appointment.

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