The Fighting Chaplain
Chaplain George Rentz was liked and admired by all aboard the USS Houston . Fifty-nine years old and a veteran of World War I, he was probably the oldest man on the ship. He was most often found walking among the men, helping where he could and giving words of encouragement. He often brought ice water and cookies to those on watch, and was even known to give out a few unauthorized drinks of harder stuff when conditions called for it.166 Even when the ship was under air attack, Chaplain Rentz remained topside to be with the anti-aircraft gun crews. An officer noted that when the gunners “ saw this man of God walking fearlessly among them, they no longer felt alone. ”167
On February 28, 1942, the Houston was fatally wounded during the Battle of the Java Sea and had to be abandoned. In the darkness of night Chaplain Rentz entered the water with his life jacket and hundreds of other survivors. He found a spot of relative safety with others on an overcrowded floatplane pontoon, and seeing that there wasn’t room for everyone, he said to the men around him, “ You men are young, I have lived the major part of my life and I am willing to go.”168 He let go the pontoon and tried to drift away, but the men brought him back several times. Finally, he said a prayer, took off his life jacket, placed it near a sailor without one, and silently slipped below the surface. For this extraordinary act of heroism, George Rentz was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross the only Navy chaplain to be so honored during World War II.
He had followed the law of the Apostles’ Creed,
His life the price of a noble deed.
He went to his Lord with no regret
Our Fighting Chaplain we’ll never forget.169
The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
—Proverbs 28:1