 Boxer
Rebellion
The job of Chaplain Assistant wasn't authorized until
December 28, 1909 when G.O No. 253 stated: "One enlisted man will
be detailed on special duty...for the purpose of assisting the chaplain in
the performance of his official duties." Prior to
establishment of an official position for the Chaplain Assistant however,
it was not uncommon for younger soldiers to assist their chaplain in the
conduct of services. One who did was 20-year-old musician Calvin
Titus, who assisted Army Chaplain Leslie R. Groves in ministering to
American soldiers in China.
Scaling a 30-foot wall under fire from enemy soldiers
was never envisioned in the job description of a Chaplain Assistant when
it was defined in 1909. During the Boxer Rebellion in China nine
years earlier however, when when a volunteer was needed, it was musician
Calvin Titus who answered the call.
Though not officially a Chaplain Assistant--the
MOS had not yet been authorized--he might well be considered the first and
only Chaplain Assistant to earn the Medal of Honor.
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