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It is a pleasure and a privilege for me to commend this history of the American Army Chaplaincy.

May each of us profit from the example of highest spiritual dedication to be found in its pages.

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Preface

The influence of religious faith upon fighting men and military events is conspicuous through all history. This has been very true in the development of the United States. If the history of our country is to be understood fully, this vital factor in our national life must be seen in its true perspective. The beliefs and practices of the chaplains who have guided the religious and moral thinking of successive generations of American soldiers indicate the faith which animated them in battle and the ideals with which they returned to civil life.

Recognizing the value of a history of the Army chaplaincy both for the education of the Army and the information of the American public, the Chief of Chaplains initiated such a study early in the Great War. Several research workers compiled much valuable information in his office. After his retirement, the present writer was given the task of completing these investigations and writing a systematic narrative. In this task he has been greatly indebted to those who have done so much of the preliminary work and to many others who have helped him solve specific problems as they have appeared. He hopes that this study may contribute to an appreciation of intelligent faith among people of all creeds and to a strengthening of the forces which promote integrity and honor among members of the armed forces.

In general, citations of authorities for paragraphs are grouped together, though more than one reference number is used in some instances to avoid possible confusion. If the abbreviation ibid. is used after a group of citations, it refers only to the last. When successive paragraphs are derived from the same group of sources, that fact is indicated. Some important facts, especially those concerning the years 1941-48, are known to the author from his own observation. In many cases no documentary records exist. A number of factual paragraphs derived from sources of this nature appear without any citations. The author vouches for the accuracy of such facts. A few instances of contradictory records have been found. If a critical study failed to remove all doubt, that fact has been stated in the text. Some important

sources have been colored by the strong partisan attitude of the writers. If such statements are quoted or summarized, it is to show how these persons viewed a situation at the time and does not imply an indorsement of these views.

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