Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
George
Washington
Sadler
October 10, 1887

–

July 19, 1975

Cemetery:

Hollywood Cemetery

A Southern Baptist minister, George Sadler was appointed a missionary to Nigeria in 1914. In 1917 he enlisted in the Army as a private, and later received a commission and served as a chaplain with combat troops in France during World War I, and with occupational forces in Germany after the war. His brother, First Lieutenant Walter B. Sadler, was killed in World War I. George Sadler was discharged in 1919, and married in South Carolina. He taught in various colleges, universities, and seminaries, and held several pastorates. In 1939 he was elected to the administrative staff of the Southern Baptist ConventionÕs Foreign Mission Board, and directed operations for 40 years prior to his retirement. He was also acting president of the Baptist Theological Seminary in Ruschlikon, Switzerland, during its opening session in 1949-1950. He wrote “A Century in Nigeria” (Broadman Press, 1950), a history of Southern Baptist mission work in Nigeria. In 1960 he, his wife, and other former missionaries were honored in Nigeria for their contribution to its development and preparation for self-government. During World War II, Reverend SadlerÕs son, George W. Sadler, served with the Army Air Forces on the crew of a heavy bomber. He was shot down in 1944 and held for a year as a Prisoner of War.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Chaplain’s Corps)

    Regiment:

    30th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 9 – 16, 1918
    Headquarters, 3d Division, A.E.F., Citation Orders No. 22 (July 8, 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) George W. Sadler, United States Army, is cited by the Commanding General, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the World War I Victory Medals awarded him. While serving with the 30th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, as Brigade Chaplain, and during the advance from Bois de Bouge on Cunel, from 9 to 16 October 1918, Chaplain Sadler at the risk of his personal safety showed great bravery and self-sacrifice in assisting in the relief of wounded and evacuation of wounded from the field under heavy machine gun, shell fire, gas, and during the darkness. [A Distinguished Service Cross was awarded for this action.]

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Chaplain’s Corps)

    Regiment:

    30th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 9 – 16, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 32 (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) George Washington Sadler, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 30th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Cunel, France, October 9-16, 1918. Throughout this period Chaplain Sadler, regardless of his personal safety, gave first aid and assisted in the evacuation of the wounded from the field under heavy machine-gun and shell fire and gas.