Mark Farrell was a Catholic priest who served as associate pastor of Saint Anthony of Padua Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota from 1937 to 1939. He then became associate at Saint Patrick Church in St. Paul, Minnesota from 1939 to until he entered military service as a U.S. Army Chaplain in 1942. After attending the Chaplain’s School at Harvard University, he deployed to the Pacific with the 32d Infantry Division, ministering to the combat troops during the fighting in the return to the Philippine Islands. He was severely wounded in February 1945, and was evacuated to Letterman General Hospital in San Francisco for treatment of his wounds. After the war he became the founding father of Saint Joan of Arc Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and served there from 1946 to 1964. From 1964 to 1968 he was pastor at Immaculate Conception in Faribault. His last assignment was as pastor at Holy Trinity in Waterville from 1968 to 1976. He then lived in the Leo Byrne Residence for retired priests and then moved to the Holy Family Residence run by Little Sisters of the Poor in 1987.
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Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
First Lieutenant (Chaplain’s Corps)Division:
32d Infantry DivisionAction Date:
December 6, 1944
Headquarters, 32d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 60 (April 1, 1945)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) Mark Anthony Farrell (ASN: 0-476978), United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with as a chaplain with the 32d Infantry Division, in operations near Limon, Leyte, Philippine Islands, on 6 December 1944. Chaplain Farrell was administering last rites when an enemy artillery barrage was laid down in the area. Regardless of the shells landing in the near vicinity, he continued the service until completed. He then assisted in caring for and evacuating the wounded and organized burial parties. During the entire barrage Chaplain Farrell was an outstanding figure, and his calm, courageous conduct inspired all who witnessed it. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Chaplain Farrell, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.