Across the Atlantic

I was assigned to the 106th Division Artillery in June, 1944, while the division was stationed at Camp Atterbury, Indiana. It took several months to complete our training and after the usual packing and crating, we moved to an eastern camp for overseas assignment. We crossed the Atlantic in November on the U. S. S. Wakefield. Although the sea was rough for several days and many of the men were extremely seasick, it was an enjoyable voyage. The ship's chaplain, Alfred Murray, made it possible for us to have services daily. These services were well attended and I believe much good was accomplished.

Upon our arrival in England, we were sent to a camp and began to get our equipment. I marvel at the way the army can equip so many men on foreign soil. We were short a few items and it seemed that other things would not come through in time, yet each man received individual attention and care. For instance, as chaplain, I had to have a jeep, and a trailer. In addition, we had to find my organ, field desk, chaplain's flag, Bibles, literature, individual stove for cooking, communion kit, and other necessities which had been packed in the states and sent on ahead. To further supply us, a Post Exchange had been set up for the 2,500 troops at our camp with watches, candy, drinks, soap, tooth brushes, gum, shaving cream and other items. It made me, an American soldier, feel that my government was interested in me and was doing all in her power to give me the best equipment and supplies.

We were at our English camp through Thanksgiving and our general, General Leo McMahon, had at the chaplain's request, given a two-hour holiday. With all the men busy as could be, this was considerate on his part and the men appreciated it very much. We had Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish services for the men and they were well attended. We were on foreign soil and were not practicing now. We were facing the real thing and when men come face to face with the battles of life they realize that God is the best One to whom a person can turn. General McMahon paid the two chaplains of the Artillery a very high compliment at a banquet held at this English Camp. He was announcing to about 150 officers the plan for the Thanksgiving services and of the two-hour holiday when he mentioned that in our extra long stay in the staging area and also in the time we were in England, that the morals and morale of the men were high. He said, in effect, that the efforts of the chaplains had no doubt played a large part and that he would back the chaplains one hundred per cent in their program for the men.