Navy Chaplain Father Charles F. Suver

[Subdeacon Joe]

Battle of Iwo Jima:  On the fifth day of the fighting, as the national colors broke out on Mount Suribachi and the Marines cheered, Navy Chaplain Father Charles F. Suver, a 39 year old Jesuit Priest, and his assistant reached the top and promptly celebrated Mass while other Marines were still clearing nearby caves of diehard Japanese defenders.  A board propped across two empty fuel drums was Father Suver’s altar, and his vestments were khaki.  

Days before, a young Marine officer promised to hoist an American flag on the peak of Mount Suribachi. Chaplain Suver said “You get it up there and I’ll say Mass under it.”  Father Suver kept his promise.  

Father Suver went to his final rest on Easter Sunday, 1993.

https://aleteia.org/2020/06/01/military-chaplains-served-the-ones-who-served/