‘A man of God’: Hilton Head flocks to support fired U.S. Army chief of chaplains
Word of the disservice done to a Hilton Head Island hero spread rapidly.
When Maj. Gen. William “Bill” Green Jr. was removed from his job as the U.S. Army Chief of Chaplains, no rhyme nor reason was uttered by the secretary of defense for the unprecedented move that came out of nowhere on April 2, during Holy Week.
Chaplain Green does not talk about it, but I can tell you this: Nothing immoral, illegal or unethical was done. Chaplain Green did nothing wrong.
People from all over took offense at his treatment.
On Facebook, a comment by a page with 2 million followers called “Daniel D.” got 2,900 reactions, 386 comments and 508 shares. The HBCU Alum page’s notice of Green’s firing got 10,000 reactions, 607 comments and 3,400 shares.
But it’s more important that the quiet chaplain who reached the highest rank and highest position possible on the world stage hear from the folks at home, where he was reared by Bill and Mary Green on Marshland Road, played youth basketball on a team called the Saints, drove a school bus for Hilton Head Elementary School students, graduated from H.E. McCracken High School in Bluffton and was mentored by the late and beloved Rev. Ben Williams before becoming an honored alumnus of Savannah State University and earning a divinity degree at Emory University in Atlanta.
The Arthur E. Wiley American Legion Post 42 on Hilton Head has supported the chaplain by writing him a letter, which post adjutant Benjamin Perry said I could share here.
Deep roots
This American Legion Post was founded about 20 years ago, largely by the efforts of Perry White, Irvin W. Campbell and Ben Green. A majority of its members are natives of Hilton Head, including those whose ancestry here precedes the freedom granted after the Civil War.
It is named for World War I veteran “Conrad” Wiley, known as a farmer in the Grasslawn community who with his wife, Minda, reared 12 children, including community icons Eugene Wiley and Phoebe Driessen.
Wiley was a deacon in the St. James Baptist Church, but he is primarily remembered as the driving force behind the Cherry Hill School across the street from the church, which is now on the National Register of Historic Places.
Conrad Wiley wrote to the county, begging for a school for the Gullah children in his community. He was told the county would build a school if the community bought land for it. Wiley went door to door in a cash-poor island in 1936 and raised the needed $25.
The American Legion post bearing his name — a post that sponsors community events on Veterans Day and Memorial Day as well as oyster roasts, oratory contests, food drives for the poor and visits to nursing homes — now wants to support another celebrated islander when he has been wounded.
Letter from American Legion Post
“Dear Gen. Green,” begins the letter written two weeks ago.
“As members of Arthur E. Wiley American Legion Post 42, we write to express our strong support for you during this time following your removal as U.S. Army Chief of Chaplains, after more than three decades of distinguished service in the Chaplain Corps.
“While, as a non-partisan organization, our American Legion Post won’t address the action recently taken by Secretary Pete Hegseth (no reason given), we want you to know how much we appreciate your outstanding service to our nation.
“Your leadership has had a profound impact not only across the United States Army, but also on service members and their families around the world.
“You have been an inspiration to countless men and women in uniform, as well as to those of us here in your home community. Your Gullah roots, your upbringing on Hilton Head Island, and the many lifelong relationships you have maintained here are a source of great pride for our community and firmly establish you as one of its most distinguished citizens.
“Those who know you personally speak not only of your accomplishments, but of your humility, integrity and unwavering commitment to serving others. These qualities have defined your ministry and your military leadership alike.
“We are especially grateful for your steadfast commitment to the religious freedom of all service members.
“Your efforts to ensure that individuals of every faith tradition — and those of no particular faith — receive care, respect and the opportunity for spiritual growth reflect the highest ideals of our Constitution and exemplify your commitment to serve others as commanded by your faith. Through your leadership, you demonstrated that every service member’s beliefs deserve dignity and support.
“We in Post 42 remember with great appreciation your time with us when you delivered the keynote address at our community’s Veterans Day Ceremony at Shelter Cove Veterans Memorial Park.
“Your remarks were deeply moving and continue to resonate with those who were present. It was our honor to recognize you, both as our distinguished speaker and as a native Islander, with the placement of a commemorative brick bearing your name at the Veterans Memorial.
“Wherever your next chapter leads, please know that you will always have a home here on Hilton Head Island and among your friends at Arthur E. Wiley American Legion Post 42. We remain grateful for your service and confident that your leadership will continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of many.
“With our deepest respect and very best wishes,
“Members of Arthur E. Wiley American Legion Post 42.”
Native islander Bruce R. Chaplin, an Air Force veteran and retired information technology specialist with the U.S. Foreign Service, helped write the letter. He has known Chaplain Green since childhood. He is not at all surprised at the rank his friend earned.
“But, to me, his biggest honor is that he has always been a person of integrity,” Chaplin said. “It has always been a part of him. This is not something that started the other day. It has been there throughout his life.
“So I know his character, I know his integrity. But to me, the man is a man of God above everything else.”
David Lauderdale may be reached at lauderdalecolumn@gmail.com.