Father Meany and the Fighting 69th

By Burris Jenkins

Father Meany and the Fighting 69th, first published in 1944, is a moving account of U.S. Army chaplain Stephen J. Meany and his time with the 165th Infantry Regiment (the famed Fighting 69th of the New York National Guard) during their battle for Makin Island in November 1943. The night before the landing, Meany heard the confessions of the men, and at 2 a.m. he celebrated Mass. That morning, Father Meany boarded a landing craft and arrived on the beach at 8 a.m. Six hours later Meany was hit and fatally wounded by a sniper's bullet while going to the aid of a wounded soldier. Included are 20 pages of illustrations by author Burris Jenkins Jr.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Barajima Books
• Release date: Jan 9, 2020
• ISBN: 9781839741647

Burris Jenkins

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Publisher’s Note

Although in most cases we have retained the Author’s original spelling and grammar to authentically reproduce the work of the Author and the original intent of such material, some additional notes and clarifications have been added for the modern reader’s benefit.

We have also made every effort to include all maps and illustrations of the original edition the limitations of formatting do not allow of including larger maps, we will upload as many of these maps as possible.

Father Meany And The Fighting 69th

BURRIS JENKINS, Jr.

Foreword by Rev. JOSEPH A. McCAFFREY

Former Chaplain 69th Reg’t.

Father Meany and the Fighting 69th was originally published in 1944 by Frederick Fell, Inc., New York. Illustration are by author Burris Jenkins, Jr.

* * *

TO ALL THE CHAPLAINS OF THE ARMED SERVICES

* * *

With grateful acknowledgment to Eddie Mahar,

Assistant City Editor, New York Journal-American.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS 4

FOREWORD 5

I. THE NIGHT BEFORE 6

II. THE ATTACK 12

III. THE MEDAL 18

IV. THE BOY 28

V. THE LAST MILE 37

REQUEST FROM THE PUBLISHER 42

FOREWORD

This is the story of a Catholic Chaplain—any Catholic Chaplain. This is the story of a Catholic Priest—any Catholic Priest, who with the love of God and his fellowman in his heart, realizing that it is his duty to bring consolation to the dying, and spiritual strength to the wounded and suffering, goes into danger heedlessly in the performance of his duty.

It is fitting that such a story as Father Meany’s should come out of the 165th Infantry—better known for years as the Fighting Irish 69th of New York. In the long and glorious history of that Regiment, dating back to the American Revolution, and carrying on actively in every war of the United States since, it has always been identified with God and Religion. Pro Deo et Patria—For God and Country—have always been words full of meaning to the men of the 69th.

And because faith in God has always meant so much to the 69th, the Chaplain of that Regiment has ever been one who has been looked up to, revered and