Major General Douglas L. Carver

U.S. Army Chief of Chaplains

Remembrance on the 50th anniversary of General Marshall's death

Arlington National Cemetery

October 16, 2009

Good Morning, it is my distinct honor and privilege to address you this morning as we gather here to remember the legacy of General of the Army George Catlett Marshall, and commemorate the 50th anniversary of his leaving this life for the next!

I am particularly pleased to have the opportunity to address you this morning as the Army’s Chief of Chaplains. That appreciation does not stem from any sense of self accomplishment, but because of the fact that it was General Marshall, who motivated by his respect for the role of the chaplain in the Army, established the position of Chief of Chaplains as a Major General. Neither me, nor my predecessors would ever have held this rank or possessed the influence to extend the reach and impact of religious support to Soldiers that this rank brings if it had not been for the vision of George C. Marshall.

No Chief of Staff ever possessed a greater vision for the importance of ministry to Soldiers and the Chaplain Corps and Soldiers of many generations are indebted to his commitment to the soul of the Soldier.

While ensuring that Chaplains had the appropriate rank and influence to ensure ministry for Soldiers, he simultaneously established the policy that chaplains never be referred to by their rank, but only by the title “Chaplain.”  As the senior member of the Chaplain Corps, I am always introduced by the same, sufficient title as the most junior member of our branch; “Chaplain.”  I look back historically and thank GEN Marshall for providing the guidance that established this standard for humility for chaplains, because 1) it was wise and 2) because in doing so, he left a mark of himself upon our Chaplain Corps.

George C. Marshall possessed many admirable attributes. He possessed noble qualities to degrees far beyond the normal person. Yet, despite his extreme personal excellence, he lived intentionally in such a manner as to daily diminish himself for the benefit of others.  George C. Marshall gave his Country a devotion that was “extraordinary,” while always projecting himself as nothing but “ordinary.”  The basis for that type of life and contribution is always rooted in sincere humility and this is what I believe was the greatest attribute of a great man, and indeed the foundation of all his tremendous achievement. As the Scriptures say repeatedly “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”  I believe George C. Marshall knew those Scriptures, believed those Scriptures, and lived those Scriptures for the glory of God and the benefit of his fellow man.

It’s been said that “humility is not thinking less of ourselves, but it is simply thinking of ourselves less.” One of the most fitting tributes to George C. Marshall’s humility was when his former protégée’, Dwight D. Eisenhower, while serving as President in 1953 asked GEN Marshall to serve as America’s representative at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.  As Marshall walked down the aisle of Westminster Abbey accompanied by his fellow General of the Army Omar Bradley, row after row of the honored guests rose to their feet. When GEN Marshall turned to ask GEN Bradley who the congregation was standing for, he was totally and humbly surprised by Bradley’s one word reply; “You!”  

Like the One in Whom he placed his personal faith, George C. Marshall understood the truth expressed in Matthew 20:26 by Jesus Christ to his disciples that “”whoever wants to become great among you must be like a servant.”  George C. Marshall’s humility is most evident in the legacy of his commitment to the service of others; to his fellow man, to his Soldiers, to his Country, and even to rebuilding the homeland of those who’d recently been his enemy.  The motto of the Chaplain Corps is “Pro Deo et Patria” which translates “For God and Country.” It is a phrase we use to motivate and guide us, but it is a phrase that in retrospect defines how George C. Marshall daily lived in the humble service of others.

The true humility that Marshall displayed is one needed more and more in public service today, because through true humility comes real strength of service. It was his humility that empowered Marshall’s moral courage as a young officer to confront arguably the most senior officer in the world, General of the Armies John J. Pershing, during WWI.  It was humility that completely deferred to the decision of President Franklin Roosevelt to name Dwight D. Eisenhower commander of the Normandy Invasion when the role was Marshall’s for the having if he’d just asked for it. It was humility that empowered the strength of service to answer the President’s call to go to China as serve as his Special Representative the day after Marshall retired as Chief of Staff. That humility would empower his selfless service again and again when he answered the call to service as Secretary of State; President of the American Red Cross; and Secretary of Defense.  And ultimately, it was humility that enabled the vision for the Plan for European Recovery; the Marshall Plan that rebuilt the very continent where Americans had shed so much blood. Marshall earned the Nobel Peace Prize because he understood that peace comes from strength and that true strength is always found and revealed in true humility.

In his Epistle to the Philippians, Saint Paul tells the followers of Christ that their greatest tribute to Christ is to live lives reflective of His selfless humility. Ralph Waldo Emerson was fond of saying that “great men exist that there may be greater men.”  The greatest tribute of followers is the reflection of their mentor within their own lives. Interestingly enough, we gather at General Marshall’s grave to honor him and we are in view of the grave of one that looked to him as a mentor. General Walter Bedell Smith was a Major on the Army Staff when Marshall became Chief of Staff. He would retire as a full General after service as the first Ambassador to the Soviet Union, the Commander of First US Army, and as the Director of the CIA. After Marshall retired, “Beetle” Smith wrote him a letter that said in part:

“I doubt if you ever could realize the deep and sincere affection you inspired, particularly in those of us who had the good fortune to serve directly under you. I wish that I could be like you. I never can, of course, because I have a bad temper, and get irritable over small things, but I have tried very hard to be, and will continue to do so, as long as I live.”

General Smith contributed a great service to his country, because he was following the humble example of a great man. In fact, Dwight D. Eisenhower, who would become our 34th President said that his own value and practice of “selflessness” was directly learned from his mentor; George C. Marshall. Great leaders beseech great leaders and humility underwrites their true greatness. George C. Marshall contributed as much to our Nation through his humble example, as he did through his own direct contribution!

What I appreciate most deeply about General of the Army Marshall’s humility is that he knew it could not be maintained in his own strength. Marshall was passionate about Soldiers and was a great Soldier himself, but he was also insightful about where the Soldier’s strength is ultimately found. In a speech he gave in 1941 entitled “Morale in Modern Warfare,” GEN Marshall said

“The Soldier’s heart, the Soldier’s spirit, the Soldier’s soul are everything. Unless the Soldier’s soul sustains him he cannot be relied upon and will fail himself, and his commander, and his country in the end.”

Marshall said in elsewhere in that speech that “the determining factor” in war is “something wholly spiritual” and that it is “what men believe that make men invincible.” Those words from 1941 are as true today as they were then. They contain timeless truth and that is why our current Chief of Staff, GEN George W, Casey, Jr.; stood up the Comprehensive Soldier Fitness Task Force to ensure our Soldiers of today are strong physically, socially, mentally, in family, and spiritually; so that they remain resilient during this era of enduring conflict. Marshall’s legacy in word and deed remain as visionary and strong 50 years later, because they were based in a true humility that honored others as better than self, and a humility that was selfless devoted to God and Country.

May each of leave this remembrance ceremony today not simply with an appreciation of one man’s past contributions, but with a mind to embrace the true humility that  endows faithful and strong service to God and Country both today and tomorrow!

Would you now join me in prayer?

“Almighty God, we thank you this day for the lasting legacy of true humility and selfless service that we find in your servant George Catlett Marshall. Work in each of us a humble understanding of ourselves and a strong understanding of your glory, so that we might best serve our neighbors, best serve our Country, and best serve our God. Remind our hearts that you “oppose the proud, but give grace to the humble.” And in these days of great challenge, encourage us with the truth that with “man some things are impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Let us go forth from this place to live lives that act justly and that love mercy; and may we always walk humbly with our God.

In your Most Holy Name I pray, AMEN!”