Capt. Clyde E. Kimball - A Diary Of My Work Overseas

A DIARY OF MY WORK OVERSEAS

BY

CAPTAIN CLYDE E KIMBALL

Chaplain of the 1128th Engineer Combat Group

United States Army

SILVER STAR

For gallantry in action on 19 December 1944 in * * *. When medical personnel was not available to render aid to a unit suffering heavy casualties near * * * Chaplain Kimball, displaying great personal bravery, volunteered to pass through fierce enemy machine gun fire in an effort to render treatment and to evacuate the wounded. While on his courageous mission, he was ambushed by infiltrating Germans and received severe wounds which resulted in his death. Chaplain Kimballs conspicuous valor and unflinching devotion to the welfare of his men reflected credit on himself and the military service.

AUGUST 20. It is terrifically hot in many parts of the ship and Im in an inner stateroom without a porthole. Our poor men are necessarily in crowded places. Ive been down to them several times. I hope in my inevitable lonely moments Ill remember my many blessings, such as the extra times with Ellen. At this moment, just before we pull out, the actuality of the separation begins to be a realityand I cant dwell on it.

AUGUST 21. So short a time since I saw Ellen, yet so long it seems already. But I am so sure of her constancy that I can stand the long time away. We are at a beautiful port. I wish the boys could see the amazing number of ships. Its night, and as we came in, a band on one played for us. I never saw so many ships, scores and scores of them. Two sunken Norwegian ships were a grim reminder that this was no pleasure trip. Evidently convoys are forming here for Russia and the British Isles. I am taking a phonograph over the ship for the men and calling in the sick bay.

AUGUST 22. Called on fifteen in the hospital. I have busy hours; have a phonograph and records which I loan here and there on shipboard; listen to tales of woe; plan for church, etc. Have been made duty officer for four hours daily in section D-1, six decks down! The rolling is more apparent there, and the heat terrific. Afraid I may get seasick, and I am breaking army rules by doing it, but??? At ten p.m. I was in my stateroom conferring with two men, when we heard a loud explosion, or rather two explosions. Those on deck reported a flash of light nearby. Some say it was a torpedoing; others say several ships collided; they saw sparks as steel hulls scraped. Have put the clock ahead an hour twice.

AUGUST 23. Last nights occurrence has everyone speculating. There are four of us chaplains on board. I had service in the lounge for two hundred and fifty. They draped the British ensign over a table and a white cloth, and the Stars and Stripes on the wall. I also had a service for twenty-five Jews, spent four hours down below, and called on men in the jail. The Gulf Stream makes it warm and muggy. Have my clothes in a pressing place on board. Looks like there was a longer voyage than I anticipated. They had a show last night, which will be repeated several times in various locations. Imagine twice the population of Suncook here! They stay up half the night, but tired me must go to bed to dream of his loved ones.

AUGUST 24. This was on the bulletin boards: Hdg., Duchess of Bedford, Office of C. O. of Troops, at sea, on the Atlantic, August 24, 1942. The following information is an explanation of the occurrence that happened the other night. The transport is safe in harbor. It collided with a destroyer. A second destroyer proceeded to scene, was rammed by a tanker. Depth charges exploded. The destroyer, U.S.S. Ingram sank. Tanker and damaged destroyer proceeding to port under escort. Copy from Admiral to convoy. This saddened everyone. I have just come in from the deck; the sea is like rippling satin under a full or nearly full moon; but the rails are lined with officers and nurses, two by twoand I feel as lonesome as aI guess a skunk in a parlor! Its not been a very easy day for me. I was way down below with the men for four hours, then three hours in a chaplains office we rigged up, then hospital calling, so I was below from breakfast to supper. The clock went ahead another half hour last night and again tonight. We are interested to see swallows here far from land. Some say they have seen porpoises. Everyone greets me in a most friendly manner.

AUGUST 25. Since we heard oranges were $3.00 each in Europe we have fun eating one at night. Lt. Weyler is getting his three dollars worth! He puts his face right in it and gets it up his nose! Our time goes ahead another half hourthats three and one half hours aheadmeans lost sleep, and tonight I go below to be with the men in case of emergency. For the second year I missed Clyde Jrs birthday. Last year I was in Louisiana in the war gamesthis time I am out on the lonely North Atlantic. We had boxing matches on deck. The sea is very calm, and seems more so in such a large steady going ship, 20,128 tons.

AUGUST 26. Thank goodness Im a busy man, or Id be still lonelier. I have been tween deck, four to eight a. m. and in my office. Had a number of English sailors in from the crew. Gave out Testaments, etc. One wanted to pay (others also) and when I refused brought me cigarettes and matches to give to some broke American soldier. Another has come home three times to a newly bombed home. It sure would thrill my boys to see the escort we have and the maneuvers they do. Definite announcement that we are en route to Iceland; a surprise to many. Three-fourths of those on board are southerners, or northerners transplanted to the southand now Iceland! I think I prefer it to the tropics.

AUGUST 27. We are three and a half hours ahead of New York time. Have to take this into consideration when wondering what home folks are doing. Saw a spar from wrecked ship floating by. There must be many such grim souvenirs of torpedoings. Its midnight and Im finishing a two hour stretch in my office downstairs and a four hour stretch in the troop quarters. (The only chaplain to do duty with the troops.) Ill set my clock ahead half an hour, making four ahead. Have a new duty now. At muster for lifeboat drill, the chaplains have to entertain the men while they stand around in groups for an hourlead in singing, have tug-o-war, etc.

AUGUST 29. Increasingly rougha long swell. Most of the convoy left us at Iceberg Crossing, also known as Torpedo Junction, two hundred miles or so off Ireland. Ultra clear weather. How strange to see the ships turn and dwindle and disappearold friends with whom much had been shared. A big British Sutherland flew over. We lost our destroyer escort as they turned for England. Picked up smaller British destroyers, amazingly well camouflaged. We are four and a half hours ahead of E. D. T. I had a command appearance at the cabin of the ships captain. He is seen by few; is in his room or on the bridge nearly twenty-four hours a day. A picturesque, bearded, desk pounder. Led the singing at a boat muster. Went into various depths of the decks announcing services. Spent a number of hours in my office and with the troops. Ten days or ten years since I saw Ellen?

AUGUST 30. What a busy day! Up early for a 7:30 communion service, then missed 8:30 breakfast because of sudden onset of seasickness. Back up to preach to 225 in a troop dining hall at 10:30; then 11:15 Jewish service. Then at 2:00 conducted memorial service for the Duke of Kent, who was killed while flying to Iceland. 400 attended. At 8:30 Ill preach again. The memorial service was difficult. To be sure to use proper liturgy and say appropriate words, and keep on my feet in a rolling ship, while not feeling too good, was hard, but I am persuaded God has always helped me in such times. I guess this was my most unusual Sunday ever. Reports are that we stop at our first port and drop the 49th Station Hospital and some tactical units. At 10 p. m. a picture could be taken; at 11 p. m. a newspaper could be read.