Francis P. Duffy
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Francis Patrick Duffy (May 2, 1871 – June 27, 1932) was a
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soldier,
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priest and
military chaplain A military chaplain ministers to military personnel and, in most cases, their families and civilians working for the military. In some cases they will also work with local civilians within a military area of operations. Although the term ''cha ...
. Duffy served as chaplain for the 69th Infantry Regiment (known as the "Fighting 69th"), a unit of the
New York Army National Guard The New York Army National Guard is a component of the New York National Guard and the Army National Guard. Nationwide, the Army National Guard comprises approximately one half of the United States Army's available combat forces and approximat ...
largely drawn from the city's
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and immigrant population. He served in the
Spanish–American War , partof = the Philippine Revolution, the decolonization of the Americas, and the Cuban War of Independence , image = Collage infobox for Spanish-American War.jpg , image_size = 300px , caption = (clock ...
(1898), but it is his service on the Western Front in France during
World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...
(1917–1918) for which he is best known. Duffy, who typically was involved in combat and accompanied litter bearers into the thick of battle to recover wounded soldiers, became the most highly decorated cleric in the history of the United States Army.
Duffy Square Duffy Square, named Father Duffy Square in 1939, is the northern triangle of Times Square in Manhattan, New York City. It is bounded by 45th Street (Manhattan), 45th and 47th Street (Manhattan), 47th Streets, Broadway (Manhattan), Broadway and S ...
– the northern half of New York City's
Times Square Times Square is a major commercial intersection, tourist destination, entertainment hub, and neighborhood in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. It is formed by the junction of Broadway, Seventh Avenue, and 42nd Street. Together with adjacent ...
between 45th and 47th Streets – is named in his honor.


Biography


Early life and career

Francis Duffy was born May 2, 1871, in
Cobourg, Ontario Cobourg ( ) is a town in the Canadian province of Ontario, located in Southern Ontario east of Toronto and east of Oshawa. It is the largest town in and seat of Northumberland County. Its nearest neighbour is Port Hope, to the west. It i ...
, Canada, the son of Patrick and Mary Ready Duffy, and attended St. Michael's College in
Toronto Toronto ( ; or ) is the capital city of the Canadian province of Ontario. With a recorded population of 2,794,356 in 2021, it is the most populous city in Canada and the fourth most populous city in North America. The city is the ancho ...
and St. Joseph's Seminary,
Troy, New York Troy is a city in the U.S. state of New York and the county seat of Rensselaer County. The city is located on the western edge of Rensselaer County and on the eastern bank of the Hudson River. Troy has close ties to the nearby cities of Albany a ...
. He taught for a time at the College of St. Francis Xavier, and was awarded a master's degree. He became a priest of the
Archdiocese of New York The Archdiocese of New York ( la, Archidiœcesis Neo-Eboracensis) is an ecclesiastical territory or archdiocese of the Catholic Church ( particularly the Roman Catholic or Latin Church) located in the State of New York. It encompasses the boroug ...
, being ordained on September 6, 1896. He attended
The Catholic University of America The Catholic University of America (CUA) is a private university, private Catholic church, Roman Catholic research university in Washington, D.C. It is a pontifical university of the Catholic Church in the United States and the only institution ...
where he earned a doctorate in 1905. After ordination, Duffy served on the faculty of St. Joseph's Seminary, Dunwoodie,
Yonkers Yonkers () is a city in Westchester County, New York, United States. Developed along the Hudson River, it is the third most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City and Buffalo. The population of Yonkers was 211,569 as enu ...
, which trains priests for the Archdiocese of New York. He was professor of Philosophical Psychology – a course more related to the Philosophy of the Human Person than to Clinical Psychology, in today's terms – and functioned as a mentor to numerous students. He was also editor of the '' New York Review'', at the time the most scholarly and progressive Catholic theological publication in the United States, and contributed the article on "Abstraction" to the ''Catholic Encyclopedia''. Extremely popular with students, Duffy was part of a group of faculty members who introduced ground-breaking innovations into the seminary curriculum, putting the institution in the forefront of clerical education. When authors in the ''New York Review'' fell under suspicion of the heresy of
modernism Modernism is both a philosophy, philosophical and arts movement that arose from broad transformations in Western world, Western society during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The movement reflected a desire for the creation of new fo ...
, contributing members of the faculty were reassigned to other work. The ''New York Review'' itself never published an article that was suspect, but it did print papers by leading Catholic Biblical experts who were part of the newly emerging schools of
Biblical criticism Biblical criticism is the use of critical analysis to understand and explain the Bible. During the eighteenth century, when it began as ''historical-biblical criticism,'' it was based on two distinguishing characteristics: (1) the concern to ...
, and several of these authors' other works raised eyebrows in Rome. Duffy himself wrote few signed items in the journal, although he did author parts of it, and he was responsible as editor for the entire publication. Duffy's new assignment was creating the parish of Our Savior Church in the Bronx. There, in 1912, he organized the parish and built a physical structure that combined parish school and church, one of several innovations he introduced. During this period, Duffy was active in both the Catholic Summer School, a sort of adult summer camp and continuing education system that foreshadowed the explosion in Catholic higher education for the laity today, and in the military – he was regimental chaplain to the 69th New York, which was federalized for a time during the
Spanish–American War , partof = the Philippine Revolution, the decolonization of the Americas, and the Cuban War of Independence , image = Collage infobox for Spanish-American War.jpg , image_size = 300px , caption = (clock ...
.


Service as an Army chaplain

Already well known in theological circles, Duffy gained wider fame for his involvement as a
military chaplain A military chaplain ministers to military personnel and, in most cases, their families and civilians working for the military. In some cases they will also work with local civilians within a military area of operations. Although the term ''cha ...
during World War I, when the 69th New York (''"The Fighting 69th"'') was federalized again and redesignated the 165th U.S. Infantry Regiment. When the unit moved up to the front in France, Duffy accompanied the litter bearers in recovering the wounded and was frequently seen in the thick of battle. Recognized by the regimental commander,
Lieutenant Colonel Lieutenant colonel ( , ) is a rank of commissioned officers in the armies, most marine forces and some air forces of the world, above a major and below a colonel. Several police forces in the United States use the rank of lieutenant colone ...
William "Wild Bill" Donovan – who would go on to found the
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in
World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...
– as a key element in the unit's morale, Duffy's role in the unit went beyond that of a normal cleric: the regiment was composed primarily of first- and second-generation Irish immigrants from New York City, many of whom wrote later about Duffy's leadership.
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Douglas MacArthur Douglas MacArthur (26 January 18805 April 1964) was an American military leader who served as General of the Army for the United States, as well as a field marshal to the Philippine Army. He had served with distinction in World War I, was C ...
stated later that Duffy was briefly considered for the post of regimental commander. For tirelessly and unceasingly caring for the wounded and dying men in the village of Villers-sur-Fere, France, from July 28-31 1918, Chaplain Duffy was awarded the
Distinguished Service Cross The Distinguished Service Cross (D.S.C.) is a military decoration for courage. Different versions exist for different countries. *Distinguished Service Cross (Australia) *Distinguished Service Cross (United Kingdom) *Distinguished Service Cross (U ...
and the
Distinguished Service Medal Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) is a high award of a nation. Examples include: *Distinguished Service Medal (Australia) (established 1991), awarded to personnel of the Australian Defence Force for distinguished leadership in action * Distinguishe ...
, the Conspicuous Service Cross (New York State), the
Légion d'Honneur The National Order of the Legion of Honour (french: Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur), formerly the Royal Order of the Legion of Honour ('), is the highest French order of merit, both military and civil. Established in 1802 by Napoleon ...
(France), and the
Croix de Guerre The ''Croix de Guerre'' (, ''Cross of War'') is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was first awa ...
. Father Duffy is the most highly decorated cleric in the history of the U.S. Army. Following the war he wrote
Father Duffy's Story
', which grew out of a manuscript originally started by
Joyce Kilmer Alfred Joyce Kilmer (December 6, 1886 – July 30, 1918) was an American writer and poet mainly remembered for a short poem titled "Trees" (1913), which was published in the collection ''Trees and Other Poems'' in 1914. Though a prolific poet who ...
, the poet and convert to Catholicism who had joined the regiment and had become a close friend to Duffy. When Kilmer was killed in France, he was working on a history of the regiment's involvement in the war, which Duffy intended to continue, but Duffy was prevailed upon to include his own reminiscences.


Holy Cross Church

Duffy then served as a pastor of Holy Cross Church in
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, a block from
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, until his death. While there, he had one last opportunity to make a contribution to Catholic thought: in 1927, during
Al Smith Alfred Emanuel Smith (December 30, 1873 – October 4, 1944) was an American politician who served four terms as Governor of New York and was the Democratic Party's candidate for president in 1928. The son of an Irish-American mother and a C ...
's campaign for president, the ''
Atlantic Monthly ''The Atlantic'' is an American magazine and multi-platform publisher. It features articles in the fields of politics, foreign affairs, business and the economy, culture and the arts, technology, and science. It was founded in 1857 in Boston, ...
'' published a letter by Charles C. Marshall, a Protestant lawyer, which questioned whether a Catholic could serve as a loyal president who would put the nation and the Constitution before his allegiance to the Pope, a common thread in American
anti-Catholicism Anti-Catholicism is hostility towards Catholics or opposition to the Catholic Church, its clergy, and/or its adherents. At various points after the Reformation, some majority Protestant states, including England, Prussia, Scotland, and the Uni ...
."An Open Letter to the Honorable Alfred E. Smith"
''The Atlantic, April 1927
Smith was given a chance to reply: his article, which was ghost-written by Duffy, was a classic statement of the intellectual ideas behind American Catholic patriotism."Catholic and Patriot"
''The Atlantic', May 1927
It hinted at notions of religious freedom and freedom of conscience which would not be spelled out by the Church itself until the
Second Vatican Council The Second Ecumenical Council of the Vatican, commonly known as the , or , was the 21st Catholic ecumenical councils, ecumenical council of the Roman Catholic Church. The council met in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome for four periods (or sessions) ...
's ''Declaration on Religious Freedom'' in the 1960s.


Death

Duffy died on June 27, 1932, in New York City.
Beloved Chaplain of Fighting 69th Dies. New York, June 27 – The spirit of Father Francis Patrick Duffy, beloved chaplain of the 'Fighting Sixty-Ninth' of the wartime
Rainbow Division The 42nd Infantry Division (42ID) ("Rainbow") is a division of the United States Army National Guard. The 42nd Infantry Division has served in World War I, World War II and the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). The division is currently headquarte ...
, has rejoined the thousands of men who died on the battlefields of France where he served them. The present colonel of his old regiment was at the bedside until near the end. Others through the nation and especially in New York, home of the old Sixty-Ninth, known in war days as the 165th Infantry, mourned the chaplain who died at the age of 62. Father Duffy will have a military burial. The old Sixty-Ninth will attend the services of America's wars, Msgr. John P. Chidwick, chaplain of the Battleship Maine when it was blown up in Havana Harbor, will preach the funeral sermon. Death came to Father Duffy early yesterday after an illness of three months from an intestinal infection. Hundreds of friends of all faiths had flooded the mails with letters of concern and hope for his recovery. The Irish chaplain of an Irish regiment won fame and decorations from his own and the French governments for his devotion to his men under fire during the World War. His death led General Douglas MacArthur, chief of staff in Washington and war-time commander of the Rainbow (42nd) Division, to reveal he had recommended the priest for command of the 165th Regiment at one time when the division was in the midst of an offensive."Beloved Chaplain of Fighting 69th Dies". ''The Chronicle-Telegram''. June 27, 1932, p 4, column 4. Also, majority of New York newspapers such as the ''Syracuse Herald'' gave Father Francis P. Duffy front page headlines Monday morning, June 27, 1932, that read "Father Duffy, Fighting 69th Chaplain, Dies. Military Honors Will Mark Funeral for Beloved Priest. Was Ill for 3 Months. General MacArthur Reveals He Recommended Priest to Lead Troops."


Legacy

Father Duffy is commemorated by
Duffy Square Duffy Square, named Father Duffy Square in 1939, is the northern triangle of Times Square in Manhattan, New York City. It is bounded by 45th Street (Manhattan), 45th and 47th Street (Manhattan), 47th Streets, Broadway (Manhattan), Broadway and S ...
, which is located in the northern triangle of
Times Square Times Square is a major commercial intersection, tourist destination, entertainment hub, and neighborhood in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. It is formed by the junction of Broadway, Seventh Avenue, and 42nd Street. Together with adjacent ...
between 45th and 47th Streets in
Manhattan Manhattan (), known regionally as the City, is the most densely populated and geographically smallest of the five boroughs of New York City. The borough is also coextensive with New York County, one of the original counties of the U.S. state ...
,
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. A
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, which is located in front of the steps of the TKTS booth, portrays Duffy standing in front of a
Celtic cross The Celtic cross is a form of Christian cross featuring a nimbus or ring that emerged in Ireland, France and Great Britain in the Early Middle Ages. A type of ringed cross, it became widespread through its use in the stone high crosses er ...
. He is further commemorated as the namesake to the Chaplain Duffy Spiritual Fitness Center at Camp Smith, a
New York Army National Guard The New York Army National Guard is a component of the New York National Guard and the Army National Guard. Nationwide, the Army National Guard comprises approximately one half of the United States Army's available combat forces and approximat ...
installation in
Cortlandt Manor, New York Cortlandt Manor is a hamlet located in the Town of Cortlandt in northern Westchester County, New York, United States. Cortlandt Manor is situated directly east, north and south of Peekskill, and east of three sections of the Town of Cortlandt, ...
. In the 1940 movie ''
The Fighting 69th ''The Fighting 69th'' is a 1940 American war film starring James Cagney, Pat O'Brien, and George Brent. The plot is based upon the actual exploits of New York City's 69th Infantry Regiment during World War I. The regiment was given that nickna ...
'', Father Duffy is portrayed by
Pat O'Brien Pat O'Brien may refer to: Politicians * Pat O'Brien (Canadian politician) (born 1948), member of the Canadian House of Commons *Pat O'Brien (Irish politician) (c. 1847–1917), Irish Nationalist MP in the United Kingdom Parliament Others *Pat O'Br ...
.


See also

* Roman Catholic Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA#World War I


References

;Notes *


Further reading

* Bishop, Jim, and Virginia Lee Bishop. ''Fighting Father Duffy''. New York: Vision Books, 1956. * Duffy, Francis Patrick, and Joyce Kilmer. ''Father Duffy's Story''. New York: George H. Doran company, 1919. * Harris, Stephen L. ''Duffy's War: Fr. Francis Duffy, Wild Bill Donovan, and the Irish Fighting 69th in World War I''. Washington, D.C.: Potomac Books, 2006.


External links

*
"History"
at Holy Cross Church website {{DEFAULTSORT:Duffy, Francis P. 1871 births 1932 deaths American military personnel of World War I Canadian emigrants to the United States 20th-century American Roman Catholic priests 19th-century Canadian Roman Catholic priests Recipients of the Legion of Honour People from Cobourg People of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York Recipients of the Croix de Guerre 1914–1918 (France) Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal (US Army) Recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross (United States) Catholic University of America alumni Military personnel from New York City United States Army chaplains United States Army officers World War I chaplains Contributors to the Catholic Encyclopedia Writers from New York City Writers from Ontario 19th-century American Roman Catholic priests United States Army personnel of World War I