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"Who in 1943 could have foreseen that a Lutheran pastor from rural eastern Pennsylvania would be blessed to live and tell such a tale?"
In October 1943, twenty-seven-year-old combat infantry chaplain Israel Yost arrived in Italy with the 100th Battalion, a little-known National Guard unit of mostly Japanese Americans from Hawaii. Yost was apprehensive when he learned of his assignment to this unusual unit composed of soldiers with whom he felt he had little in common and who were mostly Buddhists. But this would soon change. Before long, Yost found himself living and working shoulder to shoulder with these men under enemy fire in freezing temperatures and mountainous terrain. In the midst of the difficulties and dangers, he had many opportunities to experience and observe the generosity of the soldiers toward himself and others, including the Italian peasants they encountered. He wrote to his wife of their obsession with finding fresh food to supplement their C-rations, their largely unintelligible Island pidgin, and his friendships with Captain Katsumi Kometani, the battalion’s morale officer and dentist; Captain Jack Mizuha, later a Hawaii Supreme Court justice; and Lieutenant Spark Matsunaga, who would go on to serve many terms as a senator from Hawaii.
For the next nineteen months at the front­from Salerno to Monte Cassino to Anzio to Bruyeres, France­Yost assisted medics, retrieved bodies from the battlefield, buried enemy soldiers, struggled to bolster morale as the number of casualties rose higher and higher, and wrote countless letters of condolence, all in addition to fulfilling his ministerial duties, which included preaching in the foxholes. Although his sermons won few converts, Yost’s tireless energy and concern for others earned him admiration from his fellow soldiers, who often turned to him as a trusted friend and spiritual advisor.
At the war’s end, no other battalion would receive as many decorations and honors as! the 100th. Yost returned to Pennsylvania and the life of a small town pastor. Forty years later, with the help of the letters he had written almost daily to his wife and his field diaries, he wrote of his wartime experiences in the hopes that they might one day be published as a record of the remarkable character and accomplishments of the 100th. Combat Chaplin presents this heartfelt memoir intact with the addition of photographs and subsequent letters and speeches by Yost and other veterans. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Combat Chaplain
Out of curiosity, I purchased this book to gain insight into how a Chaplain of the Christian faith would interface with the men of the infamous Japanese American 100th Battalion, many who were of the Buddhist faith. While one story from one Chaplain, I was impressed with the multiple duties carried out by Chaplain Yost and the bonding that seemed to prevail between he and the men that he served. Despite the risks, he undertook serving his fellow men on both sides of the conflict.
Bruce W. Anderson, Niles, MI

Second World War
This is the greatest book.The Chaplain who lived this experience was very brave, caring and brilliant.

my former pastor
When my aunt told me about this book being published, I found and purchased it.The author, Monica Yost, was a high school classmate and friend of mine who I had lost touch with over the years.I started reading the last part of the book first about his family and now have a deeper respect for this Combat Chaplain and admiration for Monica for publishing this labor of love. I plan to read the entire book in the near future.My best wishes go to the whole family whom were blessed with his presence and guidance.

Interesting book
I purchased the book for my mom. Pastor Yost was the pastor at the church where she grew up and he confirmed her. She is enjoying the book very much.

An Entirely Different View of European Combat
Our present day army has only a relatively few divisions when compared to the 99 divisions it had at the end of World War II. As it has gotten deactivated divisions, it has retained the divisions that hold the highest honor. The 1st Division and the 29th Division went into Omaha on D-Day; they are still Army divisions.

The 100th Battalion of the 442 still exists.

The 100th entered combat with 1,432 men. Its nickname was 'Go For Broke.' It alsoearned the nickname 'Purple Heart Battalion' as it was depleted down to 521 men by 1944.

This book is by the chaplain of the 100th. It is based on letters that he wrote home, the journal he kept while in Europe and comments from members of his family and of the 100th. It was put together by Rev. Yost and was been prepared for more formal publication by his daughter after his death. It's a very worthwhile book, presenting an entirely different view that that usually seen by soldiers or commanders.

If you can read the appendix, which is a memorial speech he gave at a reunion of the 100th without tearing up, you have no soul.

To go with this book, I recommend the old Van Johnson movie 'Go For Broke.' ... Read more

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Children love getting a close-up look at fascinating creatures in the world around them. This series allows them to get up close and personal with some of these creepy creatures that they can find in parks, gardens and even their own home. Each book identi

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This digital document is an article from Actual, published by Editorial Contenido, S.A. de C.V. on February 1, 2002. The length of the article is 673 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: mes mundano.(TT: Worldly month.)(Artículo Breve)
Publication: Actual (Magazine/Journal)
Date: February 1, 2002
Publisher: Editorial Contenido, S.A. de C.V.
Volume: 10Issue: 101Page: 12

Article Type: Artículo Breve

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Customer Reviews (2)

This story is a treasure, indeed!
I first read the book "The Happy Prisoner" in 1966 at the age of 15.I loved it then, and have continued to love this tale of an endearing British family in post WWII England ever since.The characterizations are vivid, honest, and delightful.The story is captivating.This book, along with Margery Sharp's "The Nutmeg Tree" and Dodie Smith's "I Capture the Castle"forms my top favorite "triad" of books that I will return to over and over and over again, as the the years roll by.I only wish more contemporary authors would write such life affirming stories as these...skipping lurid details and gratuitous sex, plot"formulas" and sensational scandals, and simply give a reader a solid, enjoyable, intelligent, humorous, touching and engaging story that one wants to have go on forever...and barring that, at least one can always return and read it all again.Highly recommended.I have not heard the cassette version, but assuming it is read well, and with sensitivity, I am sure it will become as much a treasure for others as the book has been for me for over 40 years!

Meet the family
You walk into Olivers home as he reads under the lamplight nursing a 2nd world war won heart wound and a leg that will not heal. You end up being on such intimate terms with the whole family that in order to reaquaintyourself with them you read the book over and over and marvel at her gift,a copy of this book is in the bedside table drawer of every member of myfamily. A Treasure ... Read more

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HBDJ,1957, 1st Edition THUS, FINE-/GOOD, AS-IS, OP, Gold BEIGE TWEED Cloth & lettered in Black & White on Spine, , DJ some Scuffing & small tears chips wear front , some scuff rub & small chips Extr ... Read more