Special to The Message
On Nov. 9, the late-Father James R. Endress was inducted into the Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame during a ceremony at Primo South Banquet and Conference Center in Indianapolis.
The late-Father Endress was ordained to the priesthood April 3, 1960, and he served the Diocese of Evansville and his country in many roles, including about 17 years as a U.S. Army military chaplain, before returning home and eventually retiring in 2004. He died Jan. 20, 2021, at age 86.
The Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame, a 501(c)(3) organization, honors the sacrifices of veterans and their families to the state of Indiana. Founded in 2013, the organization’s stated objective is: “To publicly emphasize the honor brought to our state and nation by the sacrifice of Indiana military veterans and their families.”
Seventeen Hoosier veterans were inducted into the hall of fame on Nov. 9. Father Endress was honored as the second chaplain ever to be inducted into the Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame. Many family members of Father Endress were present to honor him for the induction ceremony, as well as Kenny Greenwell, his nominator.
Greenwell said it was “a great joy” to meet 14 of Father Endress’ family members.
“Our discussion and memories of Father Endress was wonderful,” Greenwell shared. “I sat at the table next to them, so during the presentation, we exchanged several glances in admiration for Father Endress.”
Greenwell said he felt called to nominate Father Endress because “too few of our military chaplains are ever honored.”
“I witnessed Father Endress being visited by veterans returning from Vietnam,” he shared. “I was a member of the Class of ‘66 at St John, Loogootee. I watched in amazement as Father Endress continued pastoral, parish and school administrative duties after the death of Father (Ralph) Doyle. His hair seemed to turn gray right before our eyes, as I know the duties were extremely stressful. Father Endress, Father Dick and Father Lex all left me with memorable impressions as a high school student, and I continued to follow events in their lives.”
Greenwell wrote that many faithful from our diocese will remember Father Endress, who he said served in the U.S. Army as a chaplain with courage and compassion, earning multiple decorations for his dedicated service.
Father Endress also was trained as a paratrooper and completed 83 jumps. During the late 60s, when he served in Vietnam, he earned multiple Bronze Stars for heroism under fire.
When he was at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Father Endress suffered an accidental-but-severe spinal injury in 1981 that left him a quadriplegic at age 47. Father Endress returned to Evansville around 1982 after he was medically discharged from the army in November 1981 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Despite his injury, Father Endress lived independently and continued to serve faithfully as a priest until his passing.
When he returned to Evansville in 1981, he got involved in a variety of ministries including Cursillo. Along the way during his military service, he learned Spanish. A lifelong member of the Knights of Columbus Council 732 in Loogootee, Greenwell said Father Endress was especially admired by the St. John’s Classes of 1964-1966.
Greenwell shared that Father Endress was a decorated Command and Unit Chaplain who served as a “tireless advocate for veterans in Vietnam and throughout his career. His bravery — armed only with a cross, helmet, and flak jacket — made a profound impact on the spiritual and emotional well-being of countless troops.”
Greenwell continued, and said Father Endress “received numerous military awards for his selfless service, offering spiritual support, counseling and moral guidance during times of intense stress, fear and uncertainty. His presence on the battlefield and within military communities was a lifeline for soldiers facing the hardships of war and separation from family.”
Father Endress “served on the front lines with soldiers and placed himself in harm’s way to offer comfort and spiritual strength to wounded and sometimes dying troops calling for God, Jesus, Mother or any loved one for help, Greenwell write. “His dual role of spiritual care and courageous service exemplifies his dedication to the military mission and to the welfare of the veterans he served. His actions in combat, and leadership in times of peace, reflect the highest standards of duty, sacrifice and service to veterans.
“(Father) Endress actively participated in 25 aerial missions over hostile territory in support of operations against Communist Aggression. His achievement earned him the Army Air Medal. He was a highly decorated Army Chaplain who was awarded the Bronze Star and later two oak leaf clusters during his Vietnam Service. His success was not just measured in medals or commendations, but in the countless lives he touched. His citations describe his guidance where soldiers found hope in despair, purpose in chaos and peace in turmoil. This profound impact on the lives of fellow service members embodies the very essence of leadership and service that the Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame seeks to honor.”