Bloody Hundredth chaplain returns stole during D-Day memorial

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Luke Milano
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  Considered the turning point of World War II, D-Day was a time of heroism and sacrifice which brought hope to many people. This was just as true for the combat chaplains who brought hope to the soldiers who put their lives on the line.

Many brave soldiers lost their lives at the Battle of Normandy, June 6, 1944, but through the chaos and mayhem of battle was a light brought about by combat chaplains such as U.S. Army 1st Lt. Herman Gustafson.

Gustafson was assigned to U.S. Army Gen. George S. Patton’s Third Army during the battle and wore a black chaplain stole while comforting soldiers, tending to the wounded and burying the dead.

The black stole has been involved in every U.S. conflict since World War II, with the exception of the Vietnam War, being passed down through generations of battlefield chaplains.

U.S. Air Force Chapl. (Capt.) Lucas Dalgleish, 100th Air Refueling Wing chaplain, is the newest steward of the stole. He parachuted into Normandy, France, June 9, 2019, along with soldiers from different U.S. Army units, in memory of those who fought at the Battle of Normandy, and returned the stole to where it began its perilous ministry.

“A stole in my faiths’ tradition represents the presence of God,” said Dalgleish. “The heritage of this stole, having gone through most major conflicts, has been on the shoulders of military chaplains reminding people on the battlegrounds of the holy, so for me to have it and return it to those hallowed grounds in Normandy where it started its ministry is an honor.”

In order to organize the jump, it took the coordination of multiple units and people throughout the base, including Chief Master Sgt. Dean Unger, 321st Special Tactics Squadron senior enlisted leader.

“I actually didn’t know the story behind the stole when Chaplain Dalgleish and I discussed the idea of him being on this jump,” said Unger. “He and I had been at a unit together prior, so we have a history. It was there that I saw how important it was for him to be out amongst the troops, as involved as possible.

“In the tight-knit circles of special operations forces, it’s far easier for chaplains to be accepted if the troops see him out there with them, much like they did in World War II,” said Unger. “When I found out about the stole, it solidified my resolve to help to make this happen, as this stole has a place in the history and I wanted it to return to where its written record began, the battlefields of Normandy. ”

Dalgleish agreed.

“This was an opportunity to honor the people who gave their lives on those beaches and in that battle, and to be with our soldiers, sailors and Airmen in that context and space, representing the chaplain corps across the different branches, was huge,” said Dalgleish. “For me, being a part of that amazing heritage, and the sacrifices given and honoring that by returning something that started its ministry there 75 years later, gives me pride, humility and gratitude knowing this stole has been serving all these different people.”