Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Alan
John Patrick
Madden
POW (WWII) Escapee
1905-11-11

–

1981-02-03

Born:

Butler

, 

Pennsylvania

Home:

Butler

, 

Pennsylvania

Buried: 

Shaler Township

, 

Pennsylvania

Cemetery:

Saint Augustine Cemetery

Alan Madden professed simple vows as “Alan” in 1928. After theological studies, he was ordained a Catholic priest of the Capuchin Order in January 1941. During World War II he entered military service and was commissioned a U.S. Army chaplain. Deployed to the European Theater of Operations in 1944, he served in France and Germany, and in 1944 during the Battle of the Bulge he was captured and held as a Prisoner of War. During his captivity, Father Madden found (through the German he spoke) a fellow Capuchin friar priest who was employed as a pharmacist for the German camp. As a “pharmacist” he was able to find a surreptitious way get a Mass Kit to Madden and his fellow priests who were prisoners. His war memories haunted him for the rest of his life. Some nights he prayed the rosary aloud in his sleep, as if a dying soldier was next to him. Other times he woke up screaming in terror. After his discharge in 1949, Father Madden served in various ministries as Assistant Pastor, Retreat House director, part of the Mission Band, and as chaplain to Toner Institute before it closed.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Chaplain’s Corps)

    Division:

    28th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, 28th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 3 (1945)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Chaplain’s Corps) Alan John Patrick Madden, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as a Chaplain with the 28th Infantry Division, in action in France, in 1944. While helping to care for 100 wounded men at Achen, France, Chaplain Madden was captured by German forces and held as a Prisoner of War. He interceded for the 50 wounded men of a hospital train and won them safe conduct back into American positions, although a captive himself. He escaped himself, a few days later. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Chaplain Madden, 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.