Anthem man honors World War II veteran, father
Submitted article ~ 9/8/2010

Our World War II veterans have come to be known as “The Greatest Generation” for good reason. At a time of great national peril, their patriotism, sense of duty and courage emerged, compelling them to step forward in defense of their country, often at risk to their lives. Omar Buchwalter possessed all of these attributes and more. Chaplain Buchwalter proved that a soldier didn’t have to carry a rifle to be a hero.
Omar R. Buchwalter was born in Gap, Pennsylvania in 1918, the sixth of nine children. His parents, Omar N. and Ada R. Buchwalter, were originally members of the Mennonite Church. They eventually joined the Assemblies of God Church, where his father became a minister.
When the attack on Pearl Harbor in December of 1941 propelled us into World War II, Omar Buchwalter was just a year removed from earning his theological degree at Taylor University, and teaching in Bible School. Although his status exempted him from the draft, Buchwalter would have none of that. After the Allies invaded Normandy in June of 1944, Omar decided that he wanted to serve as a chaplain in the military. According to his wife, Dorothy Marie, “He placed a call to the Army’s Chief of Chaplains. I was very doubtful that he would reach him, but he did. Then he had to convince him that he was qualified. The Chief said, ‘Chaplain, you’ll have your orders in the mail.’ Not long afterward, he was on his way to New Caledonia in the South Pacific.”
Chaplain Buchwalter ministered to a contingent of troops on Fiji Island, where American warships in the area were still warding off Japanese suicide bombers. His church was a thatched hut that often had to be blacked out to protect against air raids. This failed to deter Omar. He sometimes preached in the dark rather than cancel services. Chaplain Buchwalter was preparing to accompany the troops assigned to invade Japan when the war ended in 1945, no doubt sparing many lives. “He always recalled with amusement,” said Dorothy, “how the soldiers used to pester him good-naturedly with the unanswerable question, ‘Chappie, when are we going home?’ Eventually they all did.”
Omar Buchwalter concluded his military career with a tour of duty as chaplain at Fort Ruger in Hawaii where he was joined by Dorothy and the first two of their six children. By that time, Chaplain Buchwalter had attained the rank of major.
After the war, he returned to school and earned his doctorate in philosophy and theology. He then became involved in the civil rights movement. Undoubtedly steeled by his military experience, Buchwalter took part in the Selma, Alabama march against racial discrimination. He participated in President John F. Kennedy’s Commission on Religion and Race, helping to champion the cause of civil rights legislation. He later served in the Office of Economic Opportunity in Atlanta, Georgia. As a minister, Omar Buchwalter was strongly opposed to social injustice. “We look upon him as a hero for his valiant stand for civil rights,” said June Aiken, spokeswoman for the Presbyterian Church.
Today, we continue to lose our World War II veterans at an alarming rate. In fact, the time is not far off when all the members of “The Greatest Generation” will be gone. Dr. Omar Buchwalter passed away in 2007, leaving behind his beloved wife Dorothy and six children, including Stephen Buchwalter of Anthem, as well as an enduring legacy of courageous service to his nation.
For more information on the Anthem Veterans Memorial or to purchase pavers, visit www.OnlineAtAnthem.com, and click on “Veterans Memorial.”