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Julius
Joseph
Babst
DNB (1943)
May 26, 1878

–

October 4, 1943

Cemetery:

Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery

The eldest of eight children in his family, Julius Babst was ordained a Catholic Priest in 1905, and served as a parish priest at the diocese at Belleville, Illinois, until he transferred to Denver, Colorado, for health reasons. He served at the Saint Vincent Home for Boys and as an instructor and athletic director at Sacred Heart College until he enlisted in the Army at Fort Douglas in 1916. He enlisted as a regular soldier, not as a chaplain, and served on the Mexican border before accepting a commission in the Chaplain’s Corps in 1917. After the war he served at Fort Logan, Colorado (1921) and Fort Leavenworth Kansas (1922). He was serving at Fort Lewis Washington when World War II began, and was sent to Fort Douglas as Chief of the Chaplain’s Branch in 1942. He was at Camp Irwin, California when he fell ill and was taken to the Camp Irwin station hospital where he died on October 4, 1943. In one of those quirks of fate, Fort Douglas was both Babst’s first, and last, military assignment.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Chaplain’s Corps)

    Regiment:

    23d Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 3 – 9, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 46 (1919)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Chaplain’s Corps) Julius Joseph Babst, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Saint Etienne, 3 – 9 October 1918. Chaplain Babst showed magnificent courage in caring for the wounded under heavy fire, having personally administered to over 50 officers and men; also assuring their evacuation. He showed remarkable devotion to duty by refusing an opportunity to attend chaplain’s school, preferring to accompany his regiment into battle, where he labored unceasingly for seven days, during which time he performed many acts of bravery.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Chaplain’s Corps)

    Regiment:

    23d Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    June 6 – 7, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 46 (1919)

    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) Julius Joseph Babst, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, at Chateau-Thierry, France, 6 – 7 June 1918. Chaplain Babst displayed exceptional bravery and devotion to duty by repeatedly going out from the first-aid station of his battalion to care for the wounded, and voluntarily exposing himself to terrific artillery and machine-gun fire to administer the last sacraments to the dying. At imminent risk to his own life, he worked to improve the conditions at the aid station, and fearlessly conducted burial services under fire.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Chaplain’s Corps)

    Regiment:

    30th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    June 15, 1918
    GHQ, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Orders No. 1 (June 3, 1919)

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), First Lieutenant (Chaplain’s Corps) Julius Joseph Babst, United States Army, is cited by the Commanding General, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Chaplain Babst distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with the 30th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action at Chateau-Thierry, France, 15 June 1918, in caring for the wounded and comforting the dying under heavy shell fire.