Robert F. Kennedy Jr / @RobertKennedyJr (RSS Feed) on Nostr: During the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 among the many ...
During the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 among the many casualties were 66 Catholic priests who served as chaplains. Father Aloysius H. Schmitt, from Iowa, served aboard the USS OKLAHOMA. Father Schmitt, 32, had just said Mass that Sunday morning when the Oklahoma was hit by at least nine Japanese torpedoes and grazed by several bombs.
A number of sailors, including Fr. Schmitt, were trapped in a compartment with only a small porthole as the means of escape. Fr. Schmitt helped a number of men through this porthole. When it came his time to leave, he declined and helped more men to escape. In total, he helped 12 men to escape.
Fr. Schmitt died on board the Oklahoma. He was the first chaplain of any faith to have died in World War II. His example inspired a number of other priests to become chaplains.
In one written account Father Schmitt whispers “God save you” to each man who passes by him on the way out. When the last man asks, “Who’s going to save you?” Schmitt smiles and responds, “The same person who is saving you.” 🇺🇸
https://nitter.moomoo.me/RobertKennedyJr/status/1732959528302383489#m
A number of sailors, including Fr. Schmitt, were trapped in a compartment with only a small porthole as the means of escape. Fr. Schmitt helped a number of men through this porthole. When it came his time to leave, he declined and helped more men to escape. In total, he helped 12 men to escape.
Fr. Schmitt died on board the Oklahoma. He was the first chaplain of any faith to have died in World War II. His example inspired a number of other priests to become chaplains.
In one written account Father Schmitt whispers “God save you” to each man who passes by him on the way out. When the last man asks, “Who’s going to save you?” Schmitt smiles and responds, “The same person who is saving you.” 🇺🇸
https://nitter.moomoo.me/RobertKennedyJr/status/1732959528302383489#m