Oral History Interview with Rear Admiral Gerald Edwin Kuhn; Chaplain Corps, United States Naval Reserve (Retired) Concerning His Life and Career Falls Church, Virginia 1-3 October 1984 Interviewed by Commander H. Lawrence Martin, CHC, USN For the Chaplain Corps Transcribed by Linda A. Jantzen

xvi, 80 pages. Illustrations. Index. This may be the only copy not deposited in a research location. This is one of a planned series of 25 volumes, with the final volume being a master index. This appears to have the original signature of Neil M. Stevenson Rear Admiral, CHC, USN Chief of Chaplains on the Foreword, on page v. This appears to have an original signature of H. Lawrence Martin, Head, Chaplain Corps History Branch on the Preface, on page viii. The binding appears to be leather and on the spine has the designation 21 OHP CHC USN [Oral History Program, Chaplain Corps, United States Navy]. This is volume 21 in this series. The Foreword notes that 'The value of this oral history interview lies in Chaplain Kuhn's superb knowledge of the Naval Reserve Community. In easy conversational style, he recounts the developments as they affected chaplains through the years. Discussion includes, but is not limited to, such matters as training, appropriate duty, contributory support, active duty for training, temporary active duty, growth, organizations (including chaplain companies, composite companies, and voluntary training units), the Theological Student Program, duty with other components of the sea services, and ways in which the Naval Reserve chaplains have been an asset to the active forces, such as in the conducting of funerals and assistance with the UA/Deserter Programs. He also mentions ways in which those of the Regular, Navy, especially personnel in the Office of the Chief of Chaplains, have been an asset to the reserves." Gerald Edwin Kuhn 1926 - 2010 entered the Naval Reserve chaplaincy in 1951 and served in Korea with the First Marine Division. He remained active in the Naval Reserve Chaplain Corps, achieving the rank of Rear Admiral before his retirement from the Naval Reserve in 1981. The United States Navy Chaplain Corps is the body of military chaplains of the United States Navy who are commissioned naval officers. Their principal purpose is "to promote the spiritual, religious, moral, and personal well-being of the members of the Department of the Navy," which includes the Navy and the United States Marine Corps. Additionally, the Chaplain Corps provides chaplains to the United States Coast Guard. The Chaplain Corps consists of clergy endorsed from ecclesiastical bodies providing assistance for all Navy, Marine Corps, Merchant Marine, and Coast Guard personnel and their families. Navy chaplains come from a variety of religious backgrounds; chaplains are Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, Jewish, Muslim, and Buddhist. Chaplains have non-combatant status and do not participate directly in hostilities. In the U.S. they are prohibited from carrying weapons. Chaplains are assisted by Navy enlisted personnel in the Religious Program Specialist (RP) rating, when available. Otherwise, a variety of personnel in the Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard—as applicable—may support unit chaplains. RPs who are combatants also serve as the armed protection for chaplains in combat and other operational environments. Since RPs are enlisted, the Chaplain Corps, while protective of them, does not "own" the rating. The history of the Chaplain Corps traces its beginnings to 28 November 1775 when the second article of Navy Regulations was adopted. It stated that "the Commanders of the ships of the thirteen United Colonies are to take care that divine services be performed twice a day on board and a sermon preached on Sundays unless bad weather or other extraordinary accidents prevent." Although chaplains were not specifically mentioned in this article, one can infer that Congress intended that an ordained clergyman be part of ship's company. United States Navy Chaplain Corps was established on 28 November 1775. During World War II, at least 24 Chaplains died, with three being killed during the Attack on Pearl Harbor. Presumed one of only several original copies [Pages vi and vii list only seven depository locations].…