Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Richard (Ricardus)
R.
Rankin
1881-01-26

–

1949-08-19

Born:

, 

New York

Home:

New York

, 

New York

Buried: 

Washington

, 

D. C.

Cemetery:

Georgetown University Jesuit Cemetery

Robert Rankin received his early education at Saint Mary’s Academy, Saint Peter’s High School, and Saint Peter’s College, in Jersey City, New Jersey. He entered the Jesuit order in 1899, and received his theological training at Sacred Heart Seminary, Woodstock, Maryland. He was ordained a Catholic Jesuit priest on June 27, 1914. He was called to active duty in the U.S. Army on August 20, 1917, along with fellow Jesuit Gerald C. Treacy, the first two Jesuits to be commissioned in World War I. He served at Syracuse, New York, and Camp Greene, North Carolina, until he was deployed to France with the 4th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in May 1918. After the war, in 1919 he was promoted to captain and resigned his Regular Army Commission in 1921. In April 1921 he was appointed to the Officers Reserve Corps until moved to the Inactive Reserve in 1941.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Chaplain’s Corps)

    Division:

    4th Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    July 18 – 20, 1918
    GHQ, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Orders No. 4 (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) Richard (Ricardus) R. Rankin, 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. Senior Chaplain Rankin distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with the 4th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action near Courchamps and Hautevesnes, France, 18 – 20 July 1918. Chaplain Rankin was continuously on the field under fire, directing the burial of the dead. At great risk to himself he personally directed search parties in the recovery of the dead in the immediate vicinity of the front lines, and in doing so he demonstrated an extreme devotion to duty and a splendid example of bravery.