The Archives of the Viatorian Province of Chicago preserve the rich, vibrant history of our community, and Archivist Rebecca Skirvin has a new display prepared ahead of Veterans’ Day that honors a Viatorian military chaplain. This new arrangement of a photo, a military ribbon, and a letter in our lobby display case celebrate the ministry of Fr. Charles C. Riedel, CSV.
Fr. Riedel celebrated Mass at a casualty station just after the battle began.
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Here’s an excerpt of Rebecca’s note:
Fr. Riedel’s Presidential Unit Citation ribbon
Fr. Charles C. Riedel, CSV (1913-1958), served as a Navy chaplain during World War II from 1941 to 1944. He was assigned to two Marine units in the Pacific and ministered to troops during two different battles: the Battle of Tarawa in November 1943 and the Battle of Saipan in early summer 1944.
The Battle of Tarawa was the first Allied offensive in the Pacific and the first time Allied troops in the Pacific met with serious opposition upon landing. Fr. Riedel was one of the first chaplains to offer Mass after the fighting had stopped. His heroism earned him a Presidential Unit Citation ribbon as part of the US Marines, 2nd Battalion, who bore the brunt of the casualties.
The letter a field doctor wrote to Fr. Riedel (click to enlarge in new tab).
The photo (above) shows Riedel saying Mass in a casualty station on Saipan three days after the fighting started, in memory of those who lost their lives in the initial assault.
In his later years, he had difficulty controlling his temper and was not an easy man to work with. But testimony such as this letter from a field doctor in Saipan (right) shows how important his presence was to dying soldiers. In the spirit of Fr. Louis Querbes, he strove to do everything well and rose to the occasion when others might have faltered.
The lobby display previously housed artifacts relating to Blessed Fulton Sheen and his relationships with Viatorians. Visitors to the Province Center can find the glass case in the lobby on the table beside the business office.
As we approach Veterans’ Day on November 11, we share our prayers for all those who have served our country in this profound way, including many Viatorians.