Paratrooper chaplain: model of bravery and faith

by DAWN PROSSER
Director of Communications

During National Vocations Awareness Week, which ends tomorrow, there is an extra effort to shine light upon the young men and women discerning a religious vocation. Catholics are urged encourage, support and pray for them. The faithful are so grateful to those who spend their lives in selfless service to God and the Catholic faith.

On Monday, we shine a light upon another group that give of themselves for others – our veterans. Schools and civic groups are planning programs and ceremonies to honor military veterans. Nursing homes and care facilities honor residents who served in the military. Restaurants across the country offer free meals as a token of their thanks to those who served to ensure our freedom.

Paulist Productions is releasing Fighting Spirit today, highlighting a former chaplain who travels to greet the remains of Army combat chaplain and prisoner of war Emil Kapaun. In the process, this former chaplain “becomes inspired by the untold stories of the 419 U.S. military chaplain heroes who’ve given their lives for this unique calling.” (See the trailer at fightingspiritfilm.com)

It’s not the first time the entertainment industry has found inspiration through military chaplains. Many of us filled theater seats in July 1998 when the World War II-era film, Saving Private Ryan was released. The film was actually inspired by the early experiences of a military chaplain.

Father Francis L. Sampson was a Catholic priest of the Archdiocese for the Military Services and an Army officer. His book Paratrooper Padre was first published in 1948 and outlines the chaplain’s capture, escape, recapture and experience as a prisoner of war. He later wrote Look Out Below to include his Korean War experiences.
Father Sampson praying over the dead following D-Day.Father Sampson is a native of Cherokee, born Feb. 29, 1912, but grew up in Dalles, Oregon. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1941 for the Diocese of Des Moines. Father Sampson served the parish in Neola and taught at Dowling High School in Des Moines. His parish ministry was brief as he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942.

While in chaplains’ school, he volunteered for the 501^st Parachute Regiment of the 101^st Airborne Division serving as regimental chaplain. He was known for taking on challenges and later wrote he didn’t realize that “chaplains would be expected to jump from an airplane in flight,” nor the horrors of war ahead of him.

He and the others in the 501^st Regiment parachuted in behind enemy lines on D-Day. It was from this experience that put the priest in the path of Fritz Niland. Their encounter was the inspiration for Saving Private Ryan.

Father Sampson learned that fellow 501^st Regiment member Sgt. Frederick Niland had two brothers killed June 6 and 7, 1944 from their participation in the D-Day landings. A third brother, Edward, was initially reported missing over Burma.

Father Sampson initiated the process to pull Sgt. Niland out of Europe, then escorted the soldier back to Utah beach for evacuation to the United States. Niland eventually learned that his missing brother, Edward, was detained in a Japanese POW camp and was released after the war.

Beyond his experience assisting Sgt. Niland, the chaplain’s lengthy military career was fascinating and admirable. Father Sampson often put himself in harm’s way to care for injured soldiers, was captured by Germans twice and spent six months in a Berlin area prisoner of war camp, ministering to his fellow imprisoned soldiers.

Father SampsonAfter World War II, the chaplain left the military for a few short months before returning to serve as chaplain during the Korean War. Father Sampson later became an instructor for Army chaplains and was named a monsignor in 1963. During the Vietnam War, the priest was promoted to Major General and named Chief of Chaplains. The priest was known to visit wounded soldiers in hospitals and served annual Christmas Masses in Vietnam for combat troops.

Following retirement from the military in 1971, he served as pastor of St. Mary’s in Shenandoah. In 1977, he was incardinated into the Diocese of Sioux Falls. This remarkable priest and chaplain died Jan. 28, 1996, at the age of 83. He survived over 100 parachute jumps, wartime violence and POW camps but eventually fell victim to cancer. Father Sampson is buried in Luverne, Minnesota. His tombstone is inscribed with, “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.”

He earned numerous military achievements including the Distinguished Service Cross, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Prisoner of War Medal and many more.
Visiting soldiers hospitalized in Vietnam“The ack ack was terrific. … The green light came on and the jump master pushed our equipment bundle out and we went out as fast as we could. Father Francis L. Sampson made his first combat jump as the heat of battle was raging all around him. When he landed, he cut away his parachute, gathered his equipment and weapons and made his way to his fellow men. Sampson’s first night in France after the events of D-Day was spent in a small farmhouse caring for wounded soldiers when he was confronted by two German soldiers pointing guns in his face,” from Father Sampson’s book, Paratrooper Padre, first published in 1948. https://www.amazon.com/Paratrooper-Padre-Francis-L-Sampson/dp/1258138530
 
Sources: Catholicstand.com, Amazon.com, Archdiocese of Washington District/Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree, Wikipedia