National Civil War Chaplains Museum

Can you imagine how you would feel joining the army as a chaplain, and now you are jumping out of a plane? Today, as a part of Black History Month, we are honoring Theodore R. Owens (right of the painting), the first African American chaplain to earn the coveted paratrooper’s badge. Owens’ career is one of trailblazing, setting the stage for future chaplains in the paratrooper field. After his service in multiple wars, Chaplain Owens believed that he could help the future generations of chaplains. Owens, in his work, The Chaplain and Area Coverage in The Airborne Division, detailed the present challenges (1958) within the paratrooper chaplain corps in comparison to their Air Force and Army counterparts. His insights have helped accommodate future chaplains in the field and provide us with details on the struggles that he faced in his position.

Owens’ heroics are not limited to becoming the first African American to receive the paratrooper badge but extend through his service in World War II and the Korean War. He was present at the Battle of the Bulge and the Okinawa campaign during World War II. While in training to become a paratrooper, Owens broke his back and was told that his chances of continuing were incredibly slim. This was not the end though, as Owens persevered and overcame this setback by completing airborne training. Owens received his badge in 1948, which allowed him to serve as an airborne chaplain throughout the Korean War. In 1973, Owens was honored in Washington D.C. by the Army Chief of Chaplains, Gerhardt W. Hyatt (on the right of Chaplain Owens) in honor of his accomplishments becoming the first African American airborne chaplain. At this dinner, Owens’ legacy was enshrined with an oil painting of him descending from the sky as a paratrooper.

Chaplain Owens’ story is one of resilience, determination, and pioneering for the modern-day chaplain in the airborne division and other branches. We honor and praise his service to the United States by telling his story today.

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Today, we commemorate the legacy of the Four Chaplains: George L. Fox (Methodist), Alexander D. Goode (Jewish), Clark V. Poling (Dutch Reformed), and John P. Washington (Roman Catholic). On February 3, 1943, the USAT Dorchester was struck by a torpedo fired from a German U-boat in the North Atlantic. As the ship sank, the four chaplains, representing four different religious traditions, gallantly distributed life jackets to their fellow shipmates. Having run out of spare life jackets, they graciously gave up their own to save four more men. Unfortunately, all four chaplains died during the episode along with hundreds of other troops.

Their legacy and story of sacrifice live on within the Chaplain Corps. In fact, in 1960, Congress designated a special medal in their honor, known as the Four Chaplains Medal. The four could not be awarded the Medal of Honor since their actions were not amidst direct combat with the enemy. This medal was intended to maintain the same weight and importance as the Medal of Honor and was only ever awarded to the Four. Their story is a prominent example of the selfless leadership of chaplains.

If you want to learn more about the Four Chaplains and/or other heroic stories about chaplains, come pay us a visit at the Chaplains Museum!



Image: Artist’s depiction of the Four Chaplains together while the Dorchester sank.

Courtesy of the U.S. Army Chaplain Center and School

Help the Chaplains Museum expand our collection and add new exhibits! Look for the "Donate" section at the link in our bio. 

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Since the University is closed again today, the Chaplains Museum will not open for regular hours. We are looking forward to reopening again, hopefully tomorrow. Be sure to stop by and check out the latest additions! ...

The Chaplains Museum is closed today, Monday, January 26, due to inclement weather. We will reopen for regular hours.When the University reopens. We are looking forward to seeing our visitors then!

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