Army Chaplain Corps Birthday

From its establishment on July 29, 1775 by the Second Continental Congress, the Army Chaplaincy has had a long and inspiring record of service for God and Country. The Army Chaplaincy is the oldest of the American military Chaplaincies, predating the Declaration of Independence by almost a year. It has grown to be the largest diversified military chaplaincy in the world with chaplain and chaplain assistant deployments to every continent during its 230-year history. Almost 14 percent of all Army chaplains have received battlefield decorations while serving as noncombatants in America's wars and conflicts. Some 400 chaplains have given their lives for this country. Six chaplains have been authorized to wear the Medal of Honor, and four others received a special gold medal from Congress for heroism during the sinking of the Dorchester in 1943.