Serving God and Country

United States Military Chaplains in World War II

By: Lyle W. Dorsett

Narrated by: Sean Pratt

In World War II, over 12,000 Protestant ministers, Catholic priests, and Jewish rabbis left the safety of home to join the Chaplain Corps, following the armed forces into battle across Europe, Asia, North Africa, and the high seas.

They were officers who displayed uncommon courage and sacrifice. They were men of faith under fire.

And they would charge straight into Hell to save the soul of a single soldier…

Representing America’s three major religious traditions, thousands of volunteers from across the country enlisted as non-combatant commissioned officers to provide spiritual strength and guidance for those fighting men who never knew if they were going to survive to see another day.

Armed only with Bibles, Torahs, and the tools of their holy trade, these men of God went wherever the troops went—from the bloody beaches of the Normandy Invasion to the hellish jungles of Guadalcanal and Okinawa in the Pacific. They prayed over men about to march into combat on land, sailors facing Kamikaze attacks at sea, and bomber crews who could neither retreat nor surrender in the air. And, most important and difficult of all, they guided fallen fighting men of every faith as they breathed their last, and gave up their lives in the fight against tyranny.

These are the personal stories of some of the bravest and most selfless men who served with the armed forces. Many lost their lives or suffered debilitating wounds while serving as pastors to the troops. All of them battled the pain of separation from their own loved ones as they gave some of the best years of their lives to keep the military personnel spiritually awake, morally fit—and prepared to make the journey from this world to the next without fear or despair, and with the trust of the Almighty in their hearts.

Critic reviews

“Dr. Dorsett has skillfully written the stories of the chaplains who made their contribution during World War II...This is a tremendous work of interest to military historians, spiritual leaders from all faith groups, and patriotic Americans.”—Carlton W. Fulford, Jr., General (Ret.) U.S. Marine Corps

“One of those rare books that delivers excellent history and realistic inspiration in equal measure.”—Mark A. Noll, Francis A. McAnaney Professor of History, University of Notre Dame

“Lyle Dorsett does a superb job at capturing the spirit, culture, and challenges chaplains of all denominations faced during World War II.”—Chaplain (LTC) Robert Nay, 5X Skill ID, Military Historian, U.S. Army

Just not Long Enough

This book could be ten times longer and still be a page turner. The chaplains of WWII were the unsung heroes of the war, going straight into harms way to minister to their men regardless of safety. Their sacrifices cannot be told of enough. So many of their heroic deeds remain untold. This is the kind of book so needed today in a faithless age. God bless our WWII heroes who valiantly fought for our freedoms so many years ago. May they never be forgotten. Sean Pratt is exceptional as always.