The Catholic Defender: A World War II Warrior "Mad Jack" Churchill

Jesus said to them, “When I sent you forth without a money bag or a sack or sandals, were you in need of anything?” “No, nothing,” they replied. He said to them, “But now one who has a money bag should take it, and likewise a sack, and one who does not have a sword should sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you that this scripture must be fulfilled in me, namely, ‘He was counted among the wicked’; and indeed what is written about me is coming to fulfillment.” Then they said, “Lord, look, there are two swords here.” But he replied, “It is enough!”

From ancient times the sword was seen as a source of power, even prestige as swordsmen would represent Kings and lands for their Countries. Most of the time we see swords on walls representing units military personnel have served. I myself have such a sword on my wall as I served with the 2-5 Cavalry. I also have a medieval sword and shield representing my family name and country of my ancestry. That is really cool as well. Most of the time these are ceremoniously maintained.

Mad Jack Churchill, took the sword a bit more ceremoniously carrying his sword into battle. In the first picture of this article, you see Mad Jack Churchill leading his troops carrying his sword. Not only did he lead with a sword, he many times also had a bow and arrow he carried as well. He was a marksman with his bow even in close hand to hand combat.

Lieutenant Colonel Mad Jack Churchill held to a motto, “Any officer who goes into action without his sword is improperly dressed.” He took that motto all throughout his illustrious Military career. He was born in Hong Kong in 1906 at a dangerous time as his Father, Alec Fleming Churchill and his wife, Elinor Elizabeth were appointed as the Director of Public Works not long after the "Boxer Rebellion".

China was a dangerous mission to have a family placed which would have an influence on Mad Jack Churchill growing up as they were in China until 1917. Along with the "Scottish Basket Hilted Broad Sword" and his bow and arrows that he carried, Mad Jack Churchill also maintained a set of Scottish bagpipes that he would play leading his troops.

Having a strong family foundation and a love of Country would be the environment that would set the stage for victory. His since of bravery, the enemies believed he was related to Prime Minister Winston Churchill, but that would actually be very distant.

Mad Jack Churchill graduated from the Royal Military College based in Sandhurst in 1926 at 20 years old. With the Nazi invasion of Poland in 1939, he took part in the British response to liberate France from German occupation. Mad Jack became known from the German Command as he killed a German Soldier with a longbow at the outset of Battle. An amazing fact when modern weapons were high powered machine guns, grenades, and tanks.

After training as a lead Commando, the British elite Special Forces, being deployed in the Sicily theater of Operations, he charged into battle playing bagpipes and throwing grenades. At one point in battle, he captured 42 German Soldiers only using his Scottish sword. He would earn the prestigious Military Cross for his heroism and bravery.

The Germans eventually captured Mad Jack first placing him at the Concentration Camp based in Sachenhausen where he escaped and made it to the Baltic Coast before being recaptured. Ir would not be long before Mad Jack would again escape but this time, after moving 93 miles in enemy territory, he found American Forces liberating him from the threat of recapture.

In 1944, Mad Jack deployed to Burma to fight the Japanese where soon afterwards, President Truman bombed Nagasaki and Hiroshima with the Atomic bomb ending World War II. From there, Mad Jack qualified as a parachutist joining the Highland Light Infantry being deployed to Palestine to help Israel become a Nation for the first time since 70 A.D. He successfully lead a rescue operation liberating Jewish and other civilians who were threatened by Islamic Jihadist.

In 1959, at age 53, Mad Jack retired from the British Army being awarded the Military Cross, the Italian Star, the War Medal, and the Burma Star. He served at a time when faith and endurance were key support central to who Mad Jack Churchill was. His love for his country was seen by the way he sought to lead his troops. He died on March 8, 1996 at age 89.

The story of Mad Jack Churchill is one of adventure and one of heroism.

I have been asked many times how I could be a devout Catholic and at the same time a member of the United States Army. For me this has been an easy answer as our holy Faith has always been associated with the defense of a nation.

I remember St. Joan of Arc lead the French Army against the English after listening to St. Michael the Archangel, St. Catherine, and St. Margaret. Soldiers went to Confession because of St. Joan of Arc's calling for it. There will always be the fight between good and evil on this side of the veil. Knowing this, I refer to the intro to this article, Jesus called for his Apostles to sell coats and buy swords.

Self-Defense will always support a "Just War" when innocent nations are attacked. America has always been seen as the good guys wearing the white hats.

I have been to the Alamo where one of the most important battles took place in Texas, I was also at Boonesborough where Daniel Boone and Company fought off the Shawnee and French for 15 days.

I've seen many battles myself in the Middle East and very thankful for the Ministry given by the Church in hostile environments.

One day weapons will be turned into ploy-shears, but until then, war will always be inevitable and it's good to remember hero's like mad Jack Churchill.

Where will America be during the prophetic wars predicted in the New Testament?

that is an interesting question, hopefully, we will be on the Lord's side.

That is highly in doubt at this time due to the rebellion of America the past several years. We need to pray for America!

We remember D-Day when the Allied Forces began in invasion to liberate Europe and the world.