Article January 28, 1967 Issue

An Interview: with a Navy Chaplain

with contributions from Robert W. Hodges

Although he was reared in the mountain region of east Tennessee and early became an expert marksman, it was no human weapon, but a practical understanding of God, that Chaplain (Lt .) Robert W. Hodges took with him to Vietnam, where, more often than not, a soldier's worst foes are distress, terror, confusion, loneliness. As a Protestant Navy Chaplain serving Marines of many faiths, Chaplain Hodges' own background as a Christian Scientist contributed much to his ability to comfort others. Here he tells something of what he experienced in Vietnam, beginning with a four-day security patrol south of Da Nang.

Is it usual for a Chaplain to go out on a patrol?

No, but I was specially invited by the patrol leader, and I accepted. He thought the men would benefit by my presence, have the chance to know me better, ask questions, and perhaps have the benefit of a good influence that they otherwise might miss. The patrol leader, a Roman Catholic, was a very pleasant individual and a good friend. We bunked nights at the same village house; in fact, we once slept on the steps of a Buddhist pagoda.

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