Francis L. Sampson | |
|---|---|
 Major General Francis L. Sampson 12th Chief of Chaplains of the United States Army | |
| Nickname(s) | The Parachuting Padre |
| Born | February 29, 1912 Cherokee, Iowa |
| Died | January 28, 1996 (aged 83) Sioux Falls, South Dakota |
| Resting Place | |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1942–1971 |
| Rank |  Major General |
| Commands | U.S. Army Chaplain Corps |
| Battles/wars | World War II Korean War |
| Awards |  Distinguished Service Cross Bronze Star Medal (1+1 "V" Device) Army Commendation Medal |
| Church | Catholic (Latin Church) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | June 1, 1941 (priesthood) by Gerald Thomas Bergan |
| Rank | Domestic prelate (January 6, 1963) |
Francis Leon Sampson (February 29, 1912 – January 28, 1996) was a Catholic priest and an American Army officer who served as the 12th Chief of Chaplains of the United States Army from 1967 to 1971. A World War II paratrooper chaplain who participated in the D-Day landings and the Battle of the Bulge, Sampson was captured during both engagements and spent time in POW camps. He also served in the Korean War. A decorated war hero, he received both the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.
He was involved with the situation of Frederick "Fritz" Niland, who was an inspiration for the film Saving Private Ryan.[1] He is one of four alumni of the Saint Paul Seminary in St. Paul, MN to become the Chief of Chaplains of the United States Army, the other three being Patrick J. Ryan, Patrick J. Hessian, and Donald W. Shea.[2]
- ^ Des Moines Register Feb. 4, 2008. Archived from the original on September 7, 2012.
- ^ "For God and Country" (PDF). The Oracle. Winter 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 12, 2015. Retrieved October 1, 2018.