What did a chaplain carry?

[Gear Fanatic]

Hello all! I’m fairly new to chaplain stuff and have been looking into it the past few months so I can create an accurate impression for my reenactment group. Wanted to try to provide a more “interactive” experience for the public and my group. Problem is, I have never tried to collect chaplain stuff or ever owned anything, or really even know about it? So any guidance is welcome. Looking to find out what a chaplain was issued that was different from regular enlisted men. What is the more “combat” related kind of gear they carried, what was there roll , how they held mass, etc. let me know thanks!

P.S. not sure if this was the best place to put this or in the reenacting section. Feel free to move if necessary.

[Gear Fanatic]

also, as a side note. I’m very serious about this and want to do the right way and in a way that isn’t distasteful. So whatever I need to get or learn about the subject I am open. Thanks!

[m151mp]

this is a typical Chaplain's field Mass kit used during viet nam.

[Gear Fanatic]

I just realized I forgot to specify, I'm doing a ww2 US army chaplain in the ETO. Never the less, that is awsome!

[m151mp]

WW2 Chaplains had a lot less to carry. this kit is typical, and the jeep is period correct.

[Gear Fanatic]

Nice! I know those cases are kinda hard to find, especially with everything in it. Plus I need to make a helmet for the kit, and get insignia and stuff. And the sash I’ve seen fairly common in photos. But otherwise that’s really all there is to it?

[DesertBill]

I would think that each religious sect would have its own chaplain, you may want to take a look in-to that for your impression or as fun facts for the interactive section. I recall something or other of LDS chaplains. 

Also here is a website you may or may not have seen covering the kit, someone else can likely disprove or approve of the validity of the information. 

- Bill

[Gear Fanatic]

Thanks, I already asked my group leader relating to other faiths so that may be a problem since there are other of different faiths in the group. I will check out that sight thanks!

[DesertBill]

4 minutes ago, Gear Fanatic said:

Thanks, I already asked my group leader relating to other faiths so that may be a problem since there are other of different faiths in the group. I will check out that sight thanks!

In relating to different faiths, while browsing for old articles on chaplains there is one mentioning other faiths/sects (In this case rabbis and ministers) contacting the national headquarters of the Holy Name for material and guidance. The article is called "UNITY MARKS SERVICE OF ARMY CHAPLAINS: RABBIS AND MINISTERS HELP TO FORM HOLY NAME UNITS." New York Times (1923-), Dec 20, 1942. You may have to ask around in your group if anyone has access to Proquest to read the full article.

Here is the relevant quote; 

Quote

The survey revealed that even in camps where no Catholic chaplain has been assigned, units have been formed, and that in many cases ministers and rabbis have written the national headquarters asking for guidance in forming the Holy Name units. 
As in illustration to the unity "that blinds the men of God at all camps," the survey pointed out it received a letter from a min-ister at a Southern flying field where 39 per cent of the personnel were Catholics with no Catholic chaplain. The minister requested 500 copies of the Special Prayer Book for Catholic soldiers. 

Apologies if the quotation is not 100% accurate, there is no text version. 

I am going to keep poking around for any other interesting articles, let me know if there is anything in particular you are looking for. 

- Bill
 

[DesertBill]

Looked through most of what I can find on ProQuest with what I have access to, most of the articles are about the Pacific, Marines, or notifying that people are leaving to become chaplains. 

Some interesting things;

1. Chaplain Jacob A. Ott raided a "Nazi supply house" of insignia after the capture of St. Malo. Pictured is some of the insignia sewn onto a piece of fabric by Mrs. Ott, and being held up by Mildred Jschinsky. 

Quote

[A] collection of 112 Nazi naval and marine insignia. Col-ected in France, it was sent home by Chaplain Jacob A. Ott, 3546 Montrose Av. started his collec-tion during the Normandy cam-paign and added to it in Brittany. The majority of the insignia was found when the 83d Infantry Division, to which he is attached, captured St. Malo. 

The souvenirs Chaplain Ott has sent home include a Jewish arm band, a couple of german snipers' caps, and heavy metal belt buckles.
[TRIBUNE photo]

"GERMAN INSIGNIA TAKEN IN FRANCE ON DISPLAY HERE: CHAPLAIN'S MAN CALLS IT 'JUNK.'." Chicago Daily Tribune (1923-1963), Nov 26, 1944. 


2. Another NY Times article talks about Army Chaplains stationed in Europe visiting Jerusalem.

Quote

...American chaplains stationed in Europe will, as far as possible, visit Palestine to see the holy places be-fore returning home.
The first party of twenty—from Italy—arrived this week-end. Simi-lar groups will arrive each week. The first pary was composed of Twelve Protestants, including one Negro; seven Catholics and one Rabbi.

By Wireless to THE NEW YORK TIMES. "CLERGY TO SEE HOLY LAND: U.S. ARMY CHAPLAINS STATIONED IN EUROPE TO TAKE TOURS." New York Times (1923-), Jul 25, 1945. 


3. 1943 short film depicting chaplains made by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The film features Ronald Regan as one of the chaplains. 
Link to the IMDB Page.
Link to the Ronald Regan Upload
Link to a different YouTube Upload

Hope that helps in some way, 
- Bill

[Gear Fanatic]

If it was a SPECIFIC chaplain, it would have to be a 9th ID 39IR chaplain which is the unit I portray. The problem with doing only one faith would be with other people in the group of different faiths having a Problem with it or something. Tagt’s what I ment. Working I getting insignia first and then I’ll work on getting the gear.if any one has any recommendations on where to find chaplain stuff, or anything for trade, let me know!

[DesertBill]

When looking up "9th ID 39IR chaplain", this is one of the first things that pops up.

This image is from the linked website.

Here is a close-up screenshot of the helmet.

 

Here is a website that is devoted to chaplain history



Both images are from said website, and this is a link from the same website that is photos from ETO. Some pretty neat photos. 

Also here is a PDF that gives more details about the chaplain corps. 

- Bill

[Gear Fanatic]

Perfect! Thank you!

[Gear Fanatic]

hey all, if I'm going to pursue this, what is the best approach? where can I find stuff? a case and equipment? insignia, bible, etc. I was going to work on finding a helmet to restore as a chaplain, and then after that I would try to find insignia and some smaller specialized stuff. any recomendations on where to get this stuff> are there even any repros, or do I have to hunt all original stuff? let me know thanks!

[VietnamCollectors2823]

2 minutes ago, Gear Fanatic said:

hey all, if I'm going to pursue this, what is the best approach? where can I find stuff? a case and equipment? insignia, bible, etc. I was going to work on finding a helmet to restore as a chaplain, and then after that I would try to find insignia and some smaller specialized stuff. any recomendations on where to get this stuff> are there even any repros, or do I have to hunt all original stuff? let me know thanks!

Your best bet might just be waiting it out on eBay my friend. I think some of the stuff might be a little too niche for there to be reproductions, I have seen the actual collar insignias pop up a bunch, but you may have a hard time finding the stole and the kit itself.

[Gear Fanatic]

yah, that was my worry. That stuff will be tricky. How much do you think that will run, or does anyone on the forum that you know of own have one to trade or sell.

[Rakkasan187]

You may want to send a PM to Chap15. (Chaplain Colonel Robert Nay). He is an active-duty Army Chaplain as well as a collector of Chaplain groupings and items. 

 

He has a wealth of knowledge and may be able to help you.

 

Leigh 

[Neil Albaugh]

In the very early 1960s there was a Catholic chaplain in Babenhausen who augmented his issued equipment with a Colt .45 Single Action in a leather belt holster. When he was questioned about the propriety of a "non- combatant" being armed, he replied "When the Soviets are coming over the hill, what do you want me to do... show them my ID card?"

[Gear Fanatic]

On 5/15/2025 at 9:19 AM, Rakkasan187 said:

You may want to send a PM to Chap15. (Chaplain Colonel Robert Nay). He is an active-duty Army Chaplain as well as a collector of Chaplain groupings and items. 

 

He has a wealth of knowledge and may be able to help you.

 

Leigh 

will do, thanks for the recommendation!