"Chaplains, if they ever get into a combat position, are really in the way." (Audio Interview, 13:59)

David E. Lapp

War: Vietnam War, 1961-1975 Branch: Army Service Location: Fort Sheridan, Illinois; Fort Knox, Kentucky; Munich and Ansbach, Germany; Fort Monroe, Virginia; Vietnam Rank: Colonel Place of Birth: **

Born in Vienna, Austria in 1931, David Lapp came to America in 1940 with his family, fleeing persecution by Nazi Germany. He volunteered as a rabbi for the Armed Forces in 1957, stating he felt he owed a debt to his adopted country. His first choice was the Navy, but he was persuaded that he would encounter more Jewish personnel in the Army. Though he hadn't taken a chaplain course, his Christian colleagues helped him adjust to Army life. He served one year (1966-7) in Vietnam as a deputy chaplain; his boss was a Catholic priest. He spent much of his time flying to camps around the Central Highlands, always returning to his base for Friday Sabbath. He also worked on building relations with the locals: lecturing at a seminary, helping to build a nursery, and bringing food and clothing to villages. Lapp managed to keep kosher, thanks in part to packages from the States and a vegetarian diet in country.