Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Eugene
Lewis
Daniel
POW (WWII)
December 4, 1910

–

April 25, 1995

Cemetery:

Sardis Presbyterian Church Cemetery

Eugene Daniel graduated from Georgia Tech in 1933 with a ROTC Commission in the Army Infantry Reserves. He went on to attend and graduate from the Columbia Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia, in 1935, and was ordained a Presbyterian minister. After three years of pastorate duty, he transferred to the Chaplains Corps Reserve in 1939, and was ordered to active duty on July 16, 1941. Originally assigned to the 3d Armored Division at Camp Polk, Louisiana, within the month he was transferred to the 34th Infantry DivisionÕs 168th Infantry Regiment at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana, and remained with that unit through its deployment to North Africa in 1943, where he was captured and held as a prisoner of war. He was not only decorated by the U.S. Government for his heroic actions as an Army chaplain, but while serving as a POW the German commanding officer presented him with a letter of commendation and appreciation for his care of wounded German soldiers. He detailed his military service in the 1983 book “In the Presence of Mine Enemies.” His son, Navy Ensign Johnson Daniel, earned a Navy and Marine Corps Medal in 1999.

Awards Received

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Chaplain)

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (Germany)

    Action Date:

    February 16, 1943 – April 1945

    First Lieutenant (Chaplain) Eugene Lewis Daniel (ASN: 0-306618), United States Army, was captured by German forces in North Africa on 16 February 1943, and he was held as a Prisoner of War until the war’s end in 1945.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Chaplain’s Corps)

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    168th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    41st Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    November 8, 1942

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Chaplain’s Corps) Eugene Lewis Daniel (ASN: 0-306618), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with the 2d Battalion, 168th Infantry Regiment, 41st Infantry Division. On the morning of 8 November 1942, during the initial assault on the city of Algiers, French North Africa, Chaplain Daniel voluntarily, without regard for his own safety and under enemy machine gun and rifle fire, organized scattered elements of the 2d Battalion, 168th Infantry, and personally led them into action against an armed enemy in the vicinity of El Biaz, Algeria. The bold and fearless action of Chaplain Daniel, above and beyond the call of duty, set a splendid example to all his men and demonstrated his extraordinary courage and gallantry.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Chaplain’s Corps)

    Regiment:

    168th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    34th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    February 17, 1943
    Headquarters, U.S. Army-North African Theater of Operations, General Orders No. 66 (July 30, 1943)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Chaplain’s Corps) Eugene Lewis Daniel (ASN: 0-306618), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Chaplain with Headquarters, 168th Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 17 February 1943, in the vicinity of Mount Lessouda, Tunisia. During the withdrawal of the infantry battalion to which he was attached, Chaplain Daniel assisted in carrying litters bearing our and enemy wounded. When the withdrawing column became surrounded by the enemy and it was impossible to carry the wounded further, he directed the litter bearers and first aid men safely through the enemy lines and then returned to the wounded men to administer first aid even though he knew that his act meant certain capture of possible death. Chaplain Daniel’s acts were entirely voluntary and the bravery and heroism displayed reflect the highest traditions of his corps. He has been missing in action since this operation.