FORT JACKSON -- The family of a former U.S. Army chaplain, who while stationed in Germany was presented with a German-language New Testament featuring the names of 17 Nazi defendants of the Nuremberg War Crime Trials, donated that Bible to the Chaplain Corps Museum, during a ceremony, here, Sept. 19.
Following the end of World War II, Chap. (then Capt.) Roy L. Fisher, a Lutheran minister from North Carolina, was stationed in Bayreuth, with the 120th Station Hospital. Fisher was asked by Chap. (Maj.) Henry Gerecke to find and provide German language Scriptures for the 24 Nazi prisoners.
According to the Frederick Grossmith book, "The Cross and the Swastika," in 1945, Gerecke, who was fluent in German, had been assigned to be the chaplain for those 24 men. Included in the group was Hermann Göring, commander-in-chief of the Luftwaffe and, at one time, Adolph Hitler's hand-picked successor. The tribunal also prosecuted Rudolph Hess, the deputy Führer until 1941, and Albert Speer, Hitler's war minister. In the end, 21 of the men stood trial.
Along with his chaplain assistant, James LaRue, Fisher delivered the Bibles to Gerecke on Nov. 30, 1945, 10 days after the Nuremberg Trials began. In appreciation for providing the New Testaments, Gerecke had 17 of the defendants sign one, which he presented to Fisher.
Fisher died in 1975, and the Nuremberg Bible was passed down to his son, Rev. Dr. Carl Fisher, who is a Bishop Emeritus of the Lutheran Church. He, along with his two surviving sisters, Roselyn Misenheimer and Dr. Marjorie Matthews, decided recently that the USACHCS Museum was the best place for the historic New Testament to be displayed.
In thanking the Fisher's for donating the Bible, where it will be added to a museum display entitled "Chaplain Ministry at the Nuremberg Trial," Chap. (Col.) Peter R. Sniffin explained how a simple conversation got the ball rolling.
"I was speaking with Mr. (Bill) Dukes, South Carolina's Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army, last spring, and he told me about his best friend, Carl Fisher, and the New Testament," Sniffin said. "From that initial conversation, we find ourselves here now adding this significant piece of history to the museum." Dukes also attended the ceremony.
Marcia McManus, the Chaplain Corps Museum director, ensured the detailed coordination with the Army's Center for Military History and the Fisher family, enabling USACHCS to take possession of the artifact.
During his remarks, Carl Fisher provided some background on the significance of the Bible.
"When I was young, somewhere around 10-year-old, we were listening to Hitler on the radio. And, having a child's sincere faith in the transformational power of scripture, I turned to my father and said, 'Let's send Hitler a Bible,'" he said.
Little did he know, that soon thereafter his father would volunteer to become an Army chaplain and eventually be assigned near the War Crime Trials, in Nuremberg.
Fisher concluded his remarks by reading a quote from his father (cited in Grossmith's book).
"On their return to Bayreuth. Fisher told LaRue, 'When I get back home, I'll tell my son I didn't get there in time for Hitler, but I guess I did the next best thing.'"
Following the ceremony, the Fisher family received a tour of the museum.
The Chaplain Corps Museum displays the history and evolution of the Army Chaplaincy since its inception July 29, 1775, through present day. The museum is located at the U.S. Army Chaplain Center and School, 10100 Lee Road (on the corner of Lee and Benning Roads). Museum hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday (closed weekends and federal holidays). Admission is free.
The U.S. Army Chaplain Center and School serves as the U.S. Army Chief of Chaplain's institutional training base for Army Chaplains and Chaplain Assistants. The mission is to train Unit Ministry Teams -- Chaplains and Chaplain Assistants -- in safeguarding free exercise of religion for all Service Members and their Families, as well as the provision of religious support and religious accommodation.
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