On its 247th anniversary, recognizing eight exceptional members of the Army Chaplain Corps

2022-07-29T09:51:29-04:00

In Vietnam, one chaplain carried 23 wounded soldiers to the evacuation zone. In Korea, another risked his life to attend and minister to fellow soldiers in bleak prison camps. During a critical moment in the Battle of Peking, a chaplain assistant — and bugler — inspired fellow soldiers under fire by being the first to scale a 30-foot wall to reach the enemy.

Throughout most of the Army’s history, chaplains and chaplain assistants have performed with distinction, and eight such soldiers earned the Medal of Honor for these and other exceptional acts of bravery, according to the Department of Defense (DOD).

The 2,700 members of the Army Chaplain Corps are counselors who build spiritual readiness and provide guidance to soldiers and their families — ministering to the force at home and on the battlefield, tending to the war wounded and, when needed, joining the fight. They reflect the Army’s spiritual diversity, representing the 130 religious organizations, according to the Department of Defense (DOD).

Below is more about how eight chaplains and chaplain assistants earned the nation’s highest military honor, from a July 12 DOD blog post and records kept by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. Their stories highlight the historical service and sacrifice of one of the Army oldest branches, the Army Chaplain Corps, which today turns 247.

Chaplain John Milton Whitehead. In 1862, Abraham Lincoln signed the law establishing the Medal of Honor, and Whitehead earned his that same year, becoming the first Army chaplain to receive the honor. The Boston-born chaplain was cited for action at Stone River, Tennessee, on Dec. 31 during the Civil War. His citation states that Whitehead “went to the front during a desperate contest and unaided carried to the rear several wounded and helpless soldiers.”

Chaplain Francis B. Hall. The following year, New York-born Hall became the second Army chaplain to earn the medal during the Civil War, for a May 3 action in Salem Heights, Virginia. According to his citation, Hall “voluntarily exposed himself to a heavy fire during the thickest of the fight and carried wounded men to the rear for treatment and attendance.” DOD notes that though this was the first time Hall was in combat, he “repeatedly rode his horse on the battlefield.”

Chaplain 1st Lt. James Hill. Born in England, Hill also received his medal for Civil War action at Champion Hill, Mississippi, on May 16, 1963. According to DOD’s article, Hill was out alone foraging in the woods when he encountered three Confederate soldiers. Thinking quickly, DOD notes, he pretended there were Union troops in the woods, and cleverly captured the three enemies, earning a citation for “skillful and brave management” of a potentially deadly situation.

Chaplain Milton Lorenzo Haney. The Savannah, Ohio, born chaplain serving in the 55th Illinois Infantry was cited for action on July 22, 1864, during the Battle of Atlanta. DOD says he earned his nickname as “The Fighting Chaplain” for volunteering to serve as a rifleman and helping retake a Confederate-occupied position. His citation notes he “voluntarily carried a musket in the ranks of his regiment and rendered heroic service in retaking the federal works which had been captured by the enemy.”

Musician Calvin Pearl Titus. Chaplain assistant (an unofficial specialty until 1909) and bugler, Titus earned his Medal of Honor while accompanying an allied force of 19,000 sent to China to end the Boxer Rebellion (also referred to as the Boxer Uprising). When his 14th Infantry Regiment came under fire at the 30-foot Tung-Pien Gate barricading the city of Peking (now called Beijing), DOD says Titus was the “first to scale the wall.” He was cited for “gallant and daring conduct in the presence of his colonel and other officers and enlisted men of his regiment.”

Chaplain Capt. Emil J. Kapaun. A son of Pilsen, Kansas, Kapaun died in captivity during the Korean War, but not before demonstrating many heroic, life-saving and selfless acts beginning in Unsan on Nov. 1, 1950, after his battalion division was attacked by Chinese Communist Forces. From his citation: “Chaplain Kapaun calmly walked through withering enemy fire in order to provide comfort and medical aid to his comrades and rescue friendly wounded from no-man’s land. Though the Americans successfully repelled the assault, they found themselves surrounded by the enemy. Facing annihilation, the able-bodied men were ordered to evacuate. However, Chaplain Kapaun, fully aware of his certain capture, elected to stay behind with the wounded.”

He then helped negotiate the safe surrender of American forces. After being captured, Kapaun “bravely pushed aside” a would-be enemy executioner, saving the life of wounded Sgt. 1st First Class Herbert A. Miller. DOD adds that Kapaun carried Miller 60 miles to the prisoner of war camp. While there, Kapaun risked his life and was brutally punished for attending and ministering to fellow prisoners. “When Kapaun began to suffer from the physical toll of his captivity,” DOD notes, “the Chinese transferred him to a filthy, unheated hospital where he died alone.” Before he died, DOD’s account says that Kapaun asked that God forgive his captures.

Chaplain Maj. Charles J. Watters. New Jersey’s Watters earned his Medal of Honor for acts of service and bravery around Dak To, Vietnam, on Nov. 19, 1967. While his company came under heavy assault, the unarmed Watters moved to the front, “giving aid to the wounded, assisting in their evacuation, giving words of encouragement, and administering the last rites to the dying,” the citation says. Throughout the battle, he repeatedly risked his life to bring wounded troops to safety, once even carrying a paratrooper out of the assault zone on his shoulders. He then assisted medics in caring for the injured. While tending to soldiers on the perimeter, Watters was killed by enemy fire. “Chaplain Watters’ unyielding perseverance and selfless devotion to his comrades was in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Army,” his citation says.

Chaplain Capt. Charles James (Angelo) Liteky. Washington, D.C.-born Liteky earned the medal while serving near Phuoc-Lac in Vietnam. On Dec. 6, 1967, his 199th Light Infantry Brigade came under massive fire. Placing himself in harm’s way, he dragged two wounded men to a landing zone to be evacuated. Throughout the battle, he continued to bring out wounded soldiers, at one point putting a soldier he couldn’t carry on his chest. With the soldier on top of him, his citation notes that “through sheer determination and fortitude, (Liteky) crawled back to the landing zone using his elbows and heels to push himself along.” He eventually carried 23 wounded soldiers to the evacuation zone.

Learn more

Read: “U.S. Army Chaplain Corps Medal of Honor recipients,” DOD blog, July 12, 2022, https://www.army.mil/article/258344/u_s_army_chaplain_corps_medal_of_honor_recipients

Search: Find Medal of Honor recipient stories at https://www.cmohs.org/recipients

U.S. Army Chaplain Corps Medal of Honor recipients

On July 12, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed into law the legislation creating the U.S. Army’s Medal of Honor to be presented, in the name of the...

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Jul 29 at 2022 11:20 AM

2022-07-29T11:20:34-04:00

Thanks for sharing.

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Jul 29 at 2022 5:21 PM

2022-07-29T17:21:32-04:00

I was in the 199th at the time. Chaplain Liteky, was indeed well thought of, but later in life he went off the deep end and turned his MOH in.

Response by LTC David Brown made Aug 9 at 2022 8:42 AM

2022-08-09T08:42:55-04:00

Awesome men!

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Aug 25 at 2022 11:13 PM

2022-08-25T23:13:35-04:00

This is essential in today's society.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Sep 18 at 2022 4:49 AM

2022-09-18T04:49:54-04:00

thanks for sharing.

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Sep 18 at 2022 12:51 PM

2022-09-18T12:51:33-04:00

Quite often we tend not to see who work as enablers.No one purely is successful by themselves. All.of us had to learn from.and to others. Success is complex, because requires a variety of skill, knowledge and persistance.

Response by CPT Richard Trione made Jan 4 at 2023 6:06 PM

2023-01-04T18:06:23-05:00

The Army Chaplain Corps certainly needs much more recognition and attention on all of the amazing work they do to support all of our Military Service Members!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2023 11:44 PM

2023-01-04T23:44:05-05:00

reminds me of Chaplain Merle Brown who died in Vietnam on April 11th,1971, while conducting Easter Sunday Service.