John Brady was born and raised in Brooklyn and was educated in local Catholic schools and universities. He was ordained a Catholic priest in 1908, and served briefly as assistant rector at Saint VeronicaÕs Catholic Church and as Professor of Mathematics at Cathedral College. Commissioned a U.S. Navy Chaplain, he served during the Mexican-American border dispute, as well as in the subsequent action at Vera Cruz in 1914. He was the first American chaplain to go overseas with the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I, where he became legendary with his Marines, who were attached to the Army’s 2d Division, earning the Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, and three Silver Stars. He retired from the Navy in 1934 with the rank of captain, and two years later was promoted to the retired rank of rear admiral, making him the first chaplain to achieve flag rank. In retirement he became pastor of ManhattanÕs Saint Catherine of Genoa Catholic Church until 1940. During World War II he was appointed Vicar Delegate to the Army and Navy, and traveled to England, Newfoundland, and the Caribbean on inspection tours for the Catholic Military Ordinariate.
Sponsored by:
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Cemetery:
Awards Received
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Distinguished Service Cross
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Navy Cross
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Service Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant, Junior Grade (ChC)Regiment:
5th Regiment (Marines)Division:
2d Division, American Expeditionary ForcesAction 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 Lieutenant, Junior Grade (ChC) John Joseph Brady, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving as Chaplain attached to the Fifth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, at Chateau-Thierry, France, June 6 – 7, 1918. Chaplain Brady made two complete tours of the front line under severe fire, carried on his duties as chaplain with untiring service and ministered to the men of the regiment under unusually trying circumstances. He continually exposed himself to carry cigarettes to men of the line who had no opportunity to get them otherwise.
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Navy Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant, Junior Grade (ChC)Regiment:
5th Regiment (Marines)Division:
2d Division, American Expeditionary ForcesAction Date:
June 6, 1918
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade (ChC) John J. Brady, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession in serving with the Fifth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces Chaplain Brady exposed himself fearlessly, making a complete tour of the front lines twice, and carrying cigarettes to men who would not have had an opportunity otherwise to get them. He carried out his duties as a Chaplain with devotion and was cool under fire.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant, Junior Grade (ChC)Regiment:
5th Regiment (Marines)Division:
2d Division, American Expeditionary ForcesAction Date:
World War I
Headquarters, 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Order No. 40 (1918)By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Lieutenant, Junior Grade (ChC) John J. Brady, United States Navy, is cited by the Commanding General, SECOND DIVISION A.E.F., for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Chaplain Brady distinguished himself by gallantry in action while attached to the Fifth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, for his devotion to duty and his coolness under fire, carrying out his duties as Chaplain, exposing himself fearlessly and making a complete tour of the front line twice, carrying cigarettes to the men who would not have an opportunity to get them otherwise.
(First Citation) -
Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant, Junior Grade (ChC)Regiment:
5th Regiment (Marines)Division:
2d Division, American Expeditionary ForcesAction Date:
June 6, 1918
Headquarters, 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Order No. 88 (1918)By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Lieutenant, Junior Grade (ChC) John J. Brady, United States Navy, is cited by the Commanding General, SECOND DIVISION A.E.F., for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Chaplain Brady distinguished himself by gallantry in action while attached to the Fifth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action at Bois de Belleau, France, 6 June 1918. Chaplain Brady exposed himself fearlessly, making a complete tour of the front line twice in carrying out his duties as Chaplain. He also took cigarettes to men who would not otherwise have had an opportunity to get them.
(Second Citation) -
Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant, Junior Grade (ChC)Regiment:
5th Regiment (Marines)Division:
2d Division, American Expeditionary ForcesAction Date:
June 6, 1918
GHQ, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Order 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), Lieutenant, Junior Grade (ChC) John J. Brady, United States Navy, 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 Brady distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving as Chaplain attached to the Fifth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action in Bois de Belleau, France, 6 June 1918, in cheering and caring for the wounded during the attack.
(Third Citation)