Sen. Hugh Scott (R.Pa.) announced to the Senate that Rabbi Bertram W. Korn of Philadelphia will be promoted to Rear Admiral in the U.S. Navy on July 1, becoming the first Jewish chaplain to achieve this rank. Rabbi Korn, described by the Senate Republican leader as “a distinguished historian and a good friend,” is senior rabbi of the Congregation Knesset Israel (Reform).
He joined the Navy as a Lieutenant in April 1944 during World War II and served both the Navy and Marine Corps, including two Marine divisions in the China theater. Joining the Navy reserve in 1946, he organized the reserve chaplain’s company in Cincinnati two years later. He compiled two editions of a guide for Navy reserve chaplains and researched the appointment of the first Jewish Army chaplains during the Civil War.
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