Chaplains of the
36th Infantry Division
by
Chaplain (Colonel) Herbert E. MacCombie
Division Chaplain
Commissioning Private Schwatz
One of my activities, which gave me much
satisfaction, was my success in securing commissions for the men of my
section. The division chaplain’s office was entitled to have three
chaplains and four enlisted men. The enlisted men included three
corporals and one sergeant.
While in the States we had three men accepted
for Officer Candidate School. One of these men was Sergeant Bernard
Altman. After his commission he was assigned to another division. He was
killed in the Malmedy massacre during the battle of the Bulge.
One day Lieutenant Colonel Moseley, the
Division Judge Advocate came to me. He had contacted a young private in
one of the infantry regiments. He was Charles Schwartz, a graduate of law
school. He had come to Colonel Moseley for help in being accepted for the
bar.
Colonel Moseley said to me, “I think he is
good material for a commissioned officer. You have had success with other
men from your section. Do you think you could help him get to O.C.S.?”
I agreed to try. I told Private Schwartz
that I could not help him if he wanted to enter the Signal Corps or the
Engineer Corps. I did not know enough of their branches of the service,
but if he wanted to go into the infantry or the artillery, I might be able
to help him. I had been a reserve officer in the infantry and I had
served for twelve years as a chaplain with the artillery.
He came into my office and studied hard from
appropriate manuals. When the next examinations were held, he passed with
fine grades. He was accepted for Officer Candidate School. Unfortunately
for him, before the school opened the division was frozen for overseas
duty. He could not go to school. He was with us at the famous chess
match in Morocco, and gave good representation on behalf of our enlisted
men.
Shortly after this a Board was convened to
examine candidates for a commission. Again he passed with fine marks. He
was recommended for a commission in the infantry. Before the orders were
processed, we were ordered to invade Italy. He went with me in the
forward echelon. During the fighting at Salerno he was wounded. He was
evacuated in a British hospital ship.
Then his commission came to us. In order for
it to be valid, it was necessary that he take the oath of office. We
could not locate him. After several months, he returned to the division.
He immediately took the oath of office and was assigned to the 141st
Infantry as a second lieutenant. Later he was promoted to first
lieutenant and served with division headquarters. His promotion meant
that out of an authorized strength of four men, we had had four men
receive commissions.
Later on Sergeant Franklin Sweigert was
offered a commission. He declined it because he believed that the work he
was doing with the Chaplains Section was more important than any other job
in the army. Considering the dedication and efficiency, which he
displayed, I think he was right. Later on I was glad to recommend him for
a Bronze Star Medal, which he received.
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Copyright 2001
by Mary MacCombie Fietsam
Printed by Permission |
