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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- PEOPLE -- UNITED STATES --

Commander Howell M. Forgy, USN (ChC), (1908-1972)

Howell Maurice Forgy was born on 18 January 1908. He played football at Muskingum College, in Ohio, and was later ordained as a Presbyterian minister. Commissioned in the Navy's Chaplain Corps as a Lieutenant (Junior Grade) in October 1940, he was serving in the heavy cruiser New Orleans during the 7 December 1941 Japanese air raid on Pearl Harbor. When men of the ship's ammunition party were growing tired from their efforts, Chaplain Forgy encouraged them with the words "Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition, boys". This phrase inspired the immensely popular wartime song "Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition", written by Frank Loesser and recorded by Kay Kyser.

Chaplain Forgy served through the remainder of the Second World War, reaching the rank of Commander in November 1945. He retired in May 1946 and returned to the civilian ministry. The Reverend Howell M. Forgy died in Glendora, California, in January 1972.

This page features our only view of Chaplain Howell M. Forgy, USN.


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

Photo #: 208-N-5203

Lieutenant Howell M. Forgy, USN(ChC)


Photograph taken circa 1942-43. He is credited with originating the phrase "Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition" while encouraging sailors in action during the Pearl Harbor attack, 7 December 1941. Soon thereafter, it became the title and theme of a popular song.

Photograph from the Office of War Information collection in the U.S. National Archives.

Online Image: 88KB; 515 x 765 pixels

 


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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Page made 7 January 2001