A Moment of Faith in the Midst of War
Somewhere in the Pacific, a makeshift altar stands on the hatch of a U.S. troop ship. The ship bound for the Gilbert Islands carries men of the 165th Infantry. The 165th Infantry were once the legendary New York “Fighting 69th.” War has taken them far from home toward an unknown fate. But for a moment aboard the transport vessel they are somewhere familiar.
TROOP SHIP HAS SERVICES
SOMEWHERE IN THE PACIFIC.—En route to the Gilbert Islands, church services were held on the hatch of a U.S. troop ship. Chaplain A.G. McCabe conducted the services for troops of the 165th Infantry, formerly the New York “Fighting 69th.”
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The chaplain in the photo, A.G. McCabe, wears his white vestments and his hands are raised in prayer. His congregation were soldiers in worn uniforms that watched him intently. Some stand with arms folded, others rest against the ship’s machinery. Their faces say everything: focus, exhaustion, reflection. Maybe even fear.
Aboard a troop ship in wartime, there is no stained glass, no towering cathedral ceiling. The sounds of the ocean mix with the low murmur of men. The altar is a simple wooden plank, likely the same surface used for briefings, meals, and the daily routines of war. But at this moment, it’s a sacred space. Candles stand on either side of the chaplain’s open book, and a helmet or bag sits nearby, hastily set down before the service began.
The 165th Infantry and the Legacy of the “Fighting 69th”
The men standing in formation for this service belong to the 165th Infantry Regiment, formerly known as the “Fighting 69th.” Their unit traces its roots back to the Civil War, originally formed as an Irish-American regiment in New York. They fought in World War I under the leadership of Colonel “Wild Bill” Donovan, a name later associated with the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), the predecessor to the CIA.
During World War II, the 165th Infantry was part of the 27th Infantry Division, which saw heavy combat in the Pacific Theater. By the time this photo was taken in December 1943, the unit had already fought in the grueling Makin Atoll campaign, part of the larger battle for the Gilbert Islands. The battle for Makin was overshadowed by the far bloodier fight for Tarawa, where the U.S. Marines suffered nearly 1,000 killed in just 76 hours of combat. But Makin had its own challenges including Japanese resistance, logistical difficulties, and the brutal reality of amphibious warfare.
The Role of Faith in War
For these men, faith might be the only thing that feels steady. Warships cut through the ocean in convoy, their destination a battlefield. They know what awaits them: jungle heat, enemy fire, and the uncertainty of survival. The Pacific War was a brutal campaign, marked by intense, close-quarters combat and an enemy that often chose death over surrender. These men had already seen it, and they would see much more.
Chaplains like McCabe played a vital role in the war effort. They were not involved in combat, but they went with soldiers into battle zones, field hospitals, and in moments like this, onto the decks of ships bound for war. Their presence was a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there was still something to hold onto.
Faith services on troop ships were not uncommon. Before the invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, chaplains held Mass and prayer services aboard landing craft bound for Omaha and Utah beaches. During the Battle of the Bulge, chaplains comforted freezing, exhausted soldiers dug into the Ardennes Forest. And in the Pacific, on islands like Saipan, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa, chaplains were often among the first to land, providing last rites to the wounded and dying.
A Pause in the Storm
It’s easy to forget these moments existed in the middle of history’s deadliest conflict. The battles, the victories, the losses are what we remember. But the war was fought in moments like these, too. In quiet pauses. In soldiers gathering not to fight, but to listen. To pray. To find something steady on a ship rocking in an uncertain sea.
Many of the men in this photo would go on to fight in the Mariana Islands, where the 27th Infantry Division played a key role in the battles for Saipan and Tinian. Some would make it home. Others would not. But for this moment, on this deck, they were together not just as soldiers, but as men searching for peace in the midst of war.
Further Reading on Faith During World War II
Exploring the role of faith during World War II provides deeper insight into the personal experiences and resilience of individuals amidst the turmoil. Here are some recommended readings about faith during the war:
Faith in the Fight: Religion and the American Soldier in the Second World War by Jonathan H. Ebel
Ebel explores how religion influenced American soldiers during World War II, examining how faith shaped their experiences, morale, and coping mechanisms in the face of war’s challenges.
Stories of Faith and Courage from World War II by Larkin Spivey
This book presents 365 one-page stories, each accompanied by relevant scripture, highlighting acts of faith and courage during World War II. It offers a daily devotional format that provides both historical context and spiritual reflection.