No atheists in foxholes? This dog tag proves otherwise.......

[Der Finn]

From December 2013 issue of "Freethought Today"..........

[Brig]

In 2004, we weren't allowed to have atheist on them, either. Atheists were issued tags with 'no preference'

 

I've seen a lot of guys lose God over there, and have never believed the old no atheist in a foxhole saying

[Corporal Kang 0311]

I would say a lot more get right with God then "Lose" God. I have many people all of a sudden want to get right before the battle, (1990-1991).

After the battle, when you are safe God it is not so important. My dog tags say "no preference religion" mistake from boot camp, but never changed it.

[ViewfinderGyrene]

Can't speak from the first-hand of course, but every single vet I've met or spoken with from his generation up front acknowledged some degree of belief in a higher power. I've contacted men from all over the country, not just the area in which I live, which happens to be rural. At the least I'd venture to say it was something more seldom encountered at that time...

[RedLegGI]

Some Athiests are going with 'FSM' as their religious preference. For the unknowing that's Flying Spaghetti Monster.

[Brig]

I've seen 'Jedi' at least a dozen times

[Der Finn]

For dog tag collectors I'm sure "JEDI" and "FSM" would be real finds!

[Wharfmaster]

According to the official 1942 Bureau of Naval Personnel Manual (updated to June 1946), Religious affiliation was optional and not required.

 

If the sailor did request it, it was to be stamped with a single letter only, P,C or H.

 

 

Wharf

[Andrei]

According to the official 1942 Bureau of Naval Personnel Manual (updated to June 1946), Religious affiliation was optional and not required.

 

If the sailor did request it, it was to be stamped with a single letter only, P,C or H.

 

 

Wharf

What letter for Russian or Greek Orthodox? O?

[Buckshot329]

My mom's uncle (Belgium veteran of 1940 campaign) always said he lost God somewhere in the woods of France because of the things he saw there.

I guess it's something that's different for everyone that has to go through that kind of experiences.

[David D]

I saw an interview with Roscoe Blunt of the 84th the he lost his faith in God in the Ardennes.

But in the other hand, many gets also found God during or after the war as well.

[ssggates]

My uncle was a self-described "hellraiser" and "not a good person" when he left for Europe with the 83rd Division. He developed a deep and life-long relationship with God while playing dead next to a German MG for 7 hours on 4 July 1944 in Normandy. Much later he received a letter from his mother in law, asking if he was okay and saying she had a vision on 4 July that he was surrounded by a dark cloud and she woke up to pray for him. He was wounded three more times and came home to become a pastor for many many years.

[Garandomatic]

have you posted that before? Like her vision happened at the same exact instant that he was laying there? I heard that somewhere once... Awesome story...

[Corporal Kang 0311]

My uncle was a self-described "hellraiser" and "not a good person" when he left for Europe with the 83rd Division. He developed a deep and life-long relationship with God while playing dead next to a German MG for 7 hours on 4 July 1944 in Normandy. Much later he received a letter from his mother in law, asking if he was okay and saying she had a vision on 4 July that he was surrounded by a dark cloud and she woke up to pray for him. He was wounded three more times and came home to become a pastor for many many years.

 

Your story reminds me of the Jacob Deshazer story in the book "FROM PEARL HARBOR TO THE PULPIT by Charles R. Hembree" or "SCARS AND STRIPES" by Capt Eugene B. Mcdaniels both P.O.W.s How the worst of time they found faith in God. No dog tags stories.

[Squad leader]

Here is a Vmail I have in my collection about war and religion.

The letter was written during the battle for Saint Lo by a medic of the 29th Inf. Div.

 

Dan.

 

[Wharfmaster]

What letter for Russian or Greek Orthodox? O?

Here are 4 late WW2- immediate post-war Navy tags, P, C, LDS and G.O.

 

Wharf

[cutiger83]

My Grandfather’s unit in the CBI had a priest, Father Wade, who served with them. Once when Father Wade was flying over the hump, the plane had engine trouble so everyone had to jump. When putting on his chute, Father Wade’s parachute opened inside of the plane. One of the crew offered to trade chutes but Father Wade said “No. I have faith.” He jumped with his parachute in his arms, threw it in the air, the parachute opened, and Father Wade landed on the ground.

 

 

The story goes even farther…Since he had to throw open his chute, he landed a long way from the rest of the crew. Father Wade started walking out of the jungle. A tiger was following him the entire way. At night, Father Wade could see the tiger in the distance away from the fire. Once Father Wade got back to the edge of the jungle and safety, the tiger turned and went back into the jungle. I believe that tiger was an angel protecting and guiding Father Wade back to civilization.

 

...Kat

[Salvage Sailor]

In 2004, we weren't allowed to have atheist on them, either. Atheists were issued tags with 'no preference'

 

I've seen a lot of guys lose God over there, and have never believed the old no atheist in a foxhole saying

 

Vietnam era tags also have "no pref" on them

[Andrei]

My Grandfather’s unit in the CBI had a priest, Father Wade, who served with them. Once when Father Wade was flying over the hump, the plane had engine trouble so everyone had to jump. When putting on his chute, Father Wade’s parachute opened inside of the plane. One of the crew offered to trade chutes but Father Wade said “No. I have faith.” He jumped with his parachute in his arms, threw it in the air, the parachute opened, and Father Wade landed on the ground.

 

 

The story goes even farther…Since he had to throw open his chute, he landed a long way from the rest of the crew. Father Wade started walking out of the jungle. A tiger was following him the entire way. At night, Father Wade could see the tiger in the distance away from the fire. Once Father Wade got back to the edge of the jungle and safety, the tiger turned and went back into the jungle. I believe that tiger was an angel protecting and guiding Father Wade back to civilization.

 

...Kat

 

Great story. I love it!

[Andrei]

Here are 4 late WW2- immediate post-war Navy tags, P, C, LDS and G.O.

 

Wharf

Thanks Wharf!

I found a Boris Vladimir who was born in 1907 in Harbin, China. He died in Washington state. Probably this sailor.

[David D]

Here is a Vmail I have in my collection about war and religion.

The letter was written during the battle for Saint Lo by a medic of the 29th Inf. Div.

 

Dan.

 

Very nice letter Dan. Thanks for sharing

[ViewfinderGyrene]

Here is a Vmail I have in my collection about war and religion.

The letter was written during the battle for Saint Lo by a medic of the 29th Inf. Div.

 

Dan.

 

 

Just got to read this through, very nice. I find such things particularly profound...

[RedLegGI]

I saw an interview with Roscoe Blunt of the 84th the he lost his faith in God in the Ardennes.

But in the other hand, many gets also found God during or after the war as well.

 

I read his book, thought it was a great read.

[David D]

 

I read his book, thought it was a great read.

I heard it is. I am really wanting to read it

[SFMike]

I had "No Preference" on mine in 1966-meaning just that-atheism was not the intention.

 

Later I was in Intensive care at 3rd field Hospital Saigon and a Chaplain came by and wanted to talk about it.

I just told him I did not believe in organized religion.