A Paratrooper's Faith

As can be seen by its first pages, A Paratrooper's Faith is a reprinting of a pocket-size notebook that had been sent to SGT George Tullidge III of the 82nd Airborne during WWII. Tullidge's mother had compiled the notebook using an assortment of poems, Bible verses and philosophical thoughts by a variety of people. Tullidge gained comfort from the contents of the 'little book'. After his death during D-Day activities in France, his parents arranged for the duplication of the materials and distributed them to other soldiers.

When I went to jump school in Ft Benning in the early '80s, each member of every class was given a copy of A Paratrooper's Faith. I can't remember if this small booklet was given to us at the beginning of the course, upon completion or sometime in between. Actually, I may have received it once I was already posted to an airborne unit. In any case, it easily fit into the webbing of one's helmet and I kept it with me for all the jumps and field action that I experienced while a member of the 4/325 in Vicenza, Italy. After getting out of the army I usually had it in the webbing of my hard hat (I'm a chemical engineer and still wear a hard hat a couple of times a month or so).

I do not know how many copies of A Paratrooper's Faith were eventually distributed to paratroopers and those going through jump school. I don't even know if the booklet is still given out today to those going through jump school. A quick Google search for "A Paratrooper's Faith" brings up a couple of short references to it in blogs written by ex-airborne types but, as far as I can tell, there are no extensive histories of it on the web nor are there electronic copies of it floating around. Hence, the reason for this page - I realized that posting the full text and images of A Paratrooper's Faith on the web would aid in passing on the material to future generations.

I have scanned my battered copy of A Paratrooper's Faith and am making those images available here. Click on a thumbnail image and you will be linked to a larger version of the corresponding pages from A Paratrooper's Faith. Use your browser's 'back' button to return to this page. I am also in the process of transcribing all the materials and placing them on this web page as well. I have tried to keep to the spirit of the original text format but am not always exact (e.g., poems in the original are usually centered while on this page they're left-justified). I have kept typos and other small errors in place (e.g., Philippians on page 6, Phillippians on page 7, "wishes" on page 7 probably should be "wishers").

I hope this page is of some use and perhaps inspiration to you.

DEDICATED

In loving and ever-glorious remembrance
to
OUR SON

GEORGE BOWLER TULLIDGE III
Sergeant of 507th Parachute Infantry
82nd Airborne Division

who, at the age of twenty years, gave his life in
the Invasion of France, June 8th, 1944. And to
all the other heroes who willingly and gladly
gave and are giving their lives to rid the world
of tyranny and oppression.

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a
may lay down his life for his friends."
-John 15:13.

Some months ago we sent George a pocket-size notebook in which I had copied a number of poems, excerpts, and Bible verses. We felt that in the lonely, anxious, and trying experiences he was passing through a few moments reading of these might give him hope and strength. This was "The little book" he mentioned in his letter to his brother. Since he wrote us a number of times that he had received much help from reading it, we are duplicating it in this booklet. Our desire is that other boys who read it may receive an inspiration and help from these thoughts of great minds and souls of the past and present.

August 1944, Staunton, Va.

Somewhere in England.
May 10, 1944.

Dear Tommy:
Mother writes and tells me how big a boy you are getting to be. It seems like a mighty long time since I have seen you boys, and I guess it will be a while longer; probably I will have a hard time even recognizing you. I just know and pray that you will turn out to be the kind of boys that Mother and Dad are teaching you to be. Just please take a word of advice from somebody who has had a small look around anyway. Maybe I am not so old, but this two years in the army has shown and taught me lots of things about life that I never dreamed of before. I won't go into a long discussion but just remember when you are out with the boys and girls what is wrong and what is right. Please don't let them get you and Arch off on the wrong foot because they will if you are not careful. There are lots of things in life bigger and finer than some immediate pleasures; and some few seeming small things at present can break up the finer ones for you later. You know what I am talking about, drinking and loose women. I see men every day who are ruining themselves through dissipation, both sexual and alcoholic. They don't think so, and seem to be perfectly happy at this time. They even seem happier than others, but sooner or later it will get them; some sooner, and others later. Another thing that has helped me a lot is my firm belief in the Lord. Often times when I feel depressed and blue it does me an awful lot of good to read my Bible and a little book that Mother sent me. A good belief in Christianity (very broad term) gives a fellow something to grasp when the going gets tough, and it does at times. A lot of boys have a hard time because they do not have it there to take hold of. Of course, it is there for all to have if they want, but due to wrong living and poor home life, they haven't been made to realize that it is there. On

this coming invasion the thing called "luck" will play a big part as to whether a fellow gets back or not. This luck is God's protection. I think so anyway. Good soldiering will certainly play its part, but the Lord looking over you will be the big factor, and fellows then will really need plenty of mental help.
Maybe this sounds like so much bull; but I just want to impress upon you that if you grow up to be the young man that Mother and Dad want and teach you to be, things will be much nicer and brighter for you. At times the wrong thing will seem much better and more fun, but just remember the consequences.
As long as I seem to be preaching a sermon, I want to ask a big favor of you. You know this mess will "bust" inside open one of these days, and I imagine I will have a first hand look at what is going on. Of course, Mother knows this, too, so I want you to be a comfort to her. There will probably be a long time, maybe a couple of months, that she won't hear from me. I know it will be a big strain to her, so I want you boys to help her as much as possible. Dad will be worried, too, but won't show it perhaps as much, so just be as good and helpful as you can. Thanks!
Best wishes and may God bless you always.
Your best Pal,
George

My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.
-Proverbs 1:10.

The world makes way for a determined man.

He who is firm in will molds the world to himself.
-Goethe.

Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan, "Press On," has solved and will always solve the problems of the human race.
-Coolidge.

Heroism is simple, and yet it is rare. Everyone who does the best he can is a hero.
-Josh Billings.

Because the task is difficult too many tire and quit,
But that's the time to summon up your patience and your grit,
And that's the time to prove your skill.
So stick it out and work until
You justify your faith that you
Can do what any man can do.
-Edgar Guest.

How do you tackle your work each day?
With confidence clear, or dread?
What to yourself do you stop and say
When a new task lies ahead?
What is the thought that is in your mind?
Is fear ever running through it?
If so, just tackle the next you find
By thinking you're going to do it.
-Edgar Guest.

It does not take great men to do great things; it only takes consecrated men.
-Phillips Brooks.

it is those who perform faithfully their appointed work day by day, who in God's own time will hear His call, "Come up higher."
-E.G. White.

Success in life is a matter not so much of talent or opportunity as of perseverance.
-C.W. Windle.

A charge to keep I have,
A God to glorify,
A never dying soul to save,
And fit it for the sky.
To serve the present age,
My calling to fulfill
O may it all my powers engage
To do the Master's will.

Success is coming up to the level of our best.

The man who wins is the man who works,
Who neither labor nor trouble shirks,
Who uses his hands, his head, his eyes;
The man who wins is the man who tries.

We are not here to play, to dream, to drift,
We have work to do and loads to lift.
Shun not the struggle, face it, 'tis God's gift.
-M.D. Babcock.

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
-Psalm 90:12.

Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.

But this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
-Philippians 3:13, 14.

In doing your work in the great world, it is a safe plan to follow a rule I once heard preached on the football field: "Don't flinch; don't fall; hit the line hard."
-Theodore Roosevelt.

Tackle the work just in front of you. Strive in an honest way to do the best you can, and if, having done your best, there seems to appear the hand of some over-ruling Power which hammers you, take it like a good piece of steel and come right off the anvil with a better temper and a keener edge.
-C.W. Post.

God helps them that help themselves.
-Benj. Franklin.

Be satisfied with nothing but your best.
-Emerson.

Be not simply good, be good for something.
-Thoreau.

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
-Phillippians 4:13.

There is a definite distance between the wishes and the doers. A mere desire is lukewarm water, which never will take a train to its destination; the purpose must boil, must be made into live steam to do the work. Who would ever have heard of Theodore Roosevelt outside of his immediate community if he had only half committed himself to what he had undertaken, if he had brought only a part of himself to his task? The great secret of his career has been that he has flung his whole life, not a part of it, with all the determination and energy and power he could muster, into everything he has undertaken. No dillydallying, no faint-hearted efforts, no lukewarm purpose for him.
-O.S. Marden.

If you would be something more than a common prosy wayfarer in life, just put these magic words upon your lips; say, "I can" and do it... What a spirit, purpose, intensity, reality, in the phrase! It is a strong arm, a stout heart, a firm spirit, and indomitable soul. We never knew a man of its energy, vitality, unsubdued and energetic fire, that did not attain a place of some distinction among his fellows.

Face your deficiencies and acknowledge them; but do not let them master you. Let them teach you patience, sweetness, insight.... When we do the best we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life of another.
-Helen Keller.

No man is free who is not master of himself.
-Epictitus.

Man who would be,
Must rule the empire of himself; in it
Must be supreme, establishing his throne,
Of vanquished will, quelling the anarchy
Of hopes and fears, being himself alone.
-Percy B. Shelley.

Most of us can, if we choose, make this world either a palace or a prison.
-Lord Avebury.

Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whitersoever thou goest.
-Joshua 1:9.

It is the man who goes striaght to his goal, obstacle or no obstacle, that commands our repect, gets our confidence and gets to the front. He is the man who is sought in an emergency, not the man who is afraid of obstacles, who magnifies difficulties.
-O.S. Marden.

It is only through labor and prayerful efforts, by grim energy and resolute courage, that we move on to better things.
-Theodore Roosevelt.

Give us, O give us, the man who sings at his work! Be his occupation what it may, he is equal to any of those who follow in te same pursuit in silent sullenness. He will do more in the same time - he will do it better, he will persevere longer. One is scarcely sensible of fatigue whilst he marches to music.
-Thomas Carlyle.

A pound of pluck is worth a ton of luck.

Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near.
-Isaiah 55:6.

Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide upon, there is always some one to tell you you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising which tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to the end, requires some of the same courage which a soldier needs. Peace has its victories, but it takes brave men to win them.
-Emerson.

And let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.
-Galatians 6:9.

ADVICE TO A YOUNG MAN

Remember, my son, you have to work. Whether you handle a pick or pen, a wheelbarrow or a set of books, dig ditches or edit a paper, ring an auction bell or write funny things - you must work. If you look around, you will see that the men who are the most able are the men who work the hardest. Don't be afraid of killing yourself with overwork. It is beyond your power to do that on the sunny side of thirty. They die sometimes, but it's because they quit work at six P.M. It's the interval that kills, my son. The work

gives you a perfect and grateful appreciation of a holiday. There are young men who do not work, but the world is not proud of them; it simply speaks of them as old So-and-So's boy. Nobody likes them; the great busy world doesn't know that they are there. So find out what you want to be and do, and take off your coat and make dust in the world. The busier you are the less harm you will be apt to get into, the sweeter will be your sleep, the brighter and happier your holidays, and the better satisfied the world will be with you.
-Exchange.

THEY NEVER FAIL-.
Who keep faith with themselves.
Who always give their very best.
Who rise to the attack after falling.
Who maintain their own sense of self-respect.
Who return good wiil to the world about them.
Who keep their faith in truth and right unsullied.
Who learn to laugh at difficulties.
-Onward.

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed.
-II Timothy 2:15.

I will study and prepare myself, and then some day my chance will come.
-Abraham Lincoln.

Think big things and you will soon do them.

For as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.
-Proverbs 23:7.

Make yourself worthy of great and honorable success by right thinking, lofty aspiration, and energetic action. Realize that you have unlimited unused resources at your ready command. Make every day contribute in a definite way to your highest progress. Today is the day to do your best work, to achieve all of which you are now capable, and to aspire to still greater things.

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
-Psalm 51:10.

They are never alone who are accompanied by noble thoughts.
-Philip Sidney.

IF
If you think you are beaten, you are;
If you think you dare not, you don't;
If you'd like to win but think you can't,
It's certain that you won't.

If you think you'll lose, you've lost,
For out of the world we find
Success begins with a fellow's will;
It's all in the state of mind.

Life's battles don't always go
To the strongest and fastest man;
But sooner or later the man who wins
Is the man who thinks he can.

When we have learned to control our thoughts, our sympathies, and our emotions, it will be an easy matter to control our circumstances.

A man is tomorrow what he thinks today.
-Emerson.

By your own thoughts you make or mar your life, your world, your universe.
-Allen.

Guard well thy thoughts,
Our thoughts are heard in heaven.
-Young.

If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
-Mark 9:23.

Faith is simply taking what in all sincerity God offers. Faith is not belief in spite of evidence, but life lived in scorn of consequences.
-Stanley Jones.

Not thine nor mine to question or reply
When He commands us, asking how or why.
He knows the cause, His ways are wise and just
Who serves the Lord must serve with better trust.
-Henry Van Dyke.

Do your best loyally and cheerfully and suffer yourself to feel no fear nor anxiety. Your times are in God's hands. He has assigned you your place; He will direct your paths; He will accept your efforts if they are faithful.
-Canon Farrar.

Be wise!
Use well the present day,
Clear purpose and resolve
Will always find a way.

Be brave!
High courage knows no fear.
The good you do right now
Brings conquest ever near.

Be true!
Don't swerve or idly shirk.
Life's prizes are conferred
On men who nobly work.

Be strong!
There's something great to do.
Have faith and really know
That God will see you through.
-Grenville Kleiser.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.
-Proverbs 3:5, 6.

Not for a single day
Can I discern the way;
But this I know -
Who gives the day
Will show the way -
So I securely go.
-John Oxenham.

BY STILL WATERS
M. C. Stewart

Not always through the pastures green
I take my way.
Quiet streams do not refresh
Every day.
Sometimes stony paths, and thorns,
Bring bitter tears,
While boisterous tempests fill my heart
With foolish fears.
Yet since God knows the way I take,
And all my need,
Why should I faint or be dismayed,
With Him to lead!
To angry waves He speaks the word:
"Peace, be still!"
His voice obeyed, a heavenly calm
Descends, until
The stormy sea becomes a stream
Where hearts distressed
Can in its quietude, with joy,
Find tranquil rest.

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness.
-Isaiah 41:10.

Afraid? Of what?
To feel the Spirit's glad release?
To pass from pain to perfect peace,
The strife and strain of life to cease?
Afraid - of that?

Afraid? Of what?
Afraid to see the Savior's face,
To hear His welcome and to trace
The glory gleam from wounds of grace?
Afraid - of that?

Afraid? Of what?
A flash, a crash, a pierced heart -
Darkness - Light - O Heaven's art!
A wound of His, a counterpart!
Afraid - of that?

Afraid? Of what?
To enter into heaven's rest,
And yet to serve the Master blest,
From service good to service best?
Afraid - of that?

Afraid? Of what?
To do by death what life could not -
Baptize with blood a stony plot,
Till souls shall blossom from the spot!
Afraid - of that?

When you are quite content to bear what God has laid upon you, He will soon remove it or show you that it is a real blessing to you.

Fear is a terrible companion. it poisons every joy, and takes away the pleasure of any possession. One who lets fear and worry dominate his life can never come within sight of happiness. Faith in God and trust in His protecting love will cast out fear and bring in courage and joy.

IN HIS KEEPING
A.L. Carey

God's promises can never fail;
His precious Word I love;
I grasp each promise for I know
'Tis anchored safe above.

But, oh, the dearest thought to me
Through every weary hour
Although my grasp is often weak
God holds me by His power.

He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool.
-Proverbs 28:26.

The direst foe of courage is the fear itself, not the object of it, and the man who can overcome his own terror is a hero and more.
-MacDonald.

Only by struggle and by service, in humble dependence on divine strength, is spiritual stature attained. Out prayer therefore should be, not for easy lives, but that we might have powers equal to our tasks.

A PRAYER FOR COURAGE
Grace Noll Crowell

God, make me brave for life-
O braver than this!
Let me straighten after pain
As a tree straightens after the rain
Shining and lovely again.
God make me brave for life-
Much braver than this!
As the blown grass lifts, let me rise
From sorrow with quiet eyes,
Knowing Thy way is wise
God, make me brave - life brings
Such blinding things.
Help me to keep my sight,
Help me to see aright
That out of the dark - comes Light.

Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and he shall bring it to pass.
- Psalm 37:5.
In God have I put my trust; I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.
- Psalm 56:11.

Whoso draws near to God one step
Through doubtings dim,
God will advance a mile in blazing
Light to him.

DEATHBED VALEDICTORY

I stand on the border of mortal life, but I face eternal life. I look backward to the years of the past to see all pettiness, all triviality shrink into nothing and disappear.
Adverse criticism has no meaning now. Only the worthwhile things, the constructive things - the things that have been built for the good of mankind and the glory of God count now.
There is beauty, there is joy, and there is laughter in life - as there ought to be. But remember, my students, not to regard lightly nor to ridicule the sacred things, those worthwhile things. Hold them dear, cherish them; for they alone will sustain you in the end. And remember, too, that only through work and oft times through hardships may they be obtained. But the compensation of blessing and sweetness at the last will glorify every hour of work and every heartache from hardship.
Do not face the future with timidity and fear. Face it solidly, courageously, and joyously. Have faith in what it holds.
My own faith as I approach eternity grows stronger day by day. The faith I have had in life is projected into this vast future toward which I travel now.
I know that I go toward an all-powerful God, wherever He may be. I know he is a personality who created man in his image. Beyond that I have no knowledge - no fear - only faith.
-Dr. S. P. Brooks,
President of Baylor University.

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee; because he trusteth in Thee.
- Isaiah 26:3.

To die is but to pass through an open door into eternity.

What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee.
-Psalm 56:3.

NO NEED TO WORRY

I cannot read the future, and I do not need to know
The things that will befall me as through this world I go
I have a faithful Guide, and if I always do my best,
I have no need to worry for God will do the rest.
Let trouble overtake me, let hardship be my lot,
Let bitter opposition fondest expectations blot.
No anxious care shall press my soul, no need have I to fear;
And I shall not worry for God is ever near.

They that trust in the Lord shall be as Mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth forever.
-Psalm 125:11.

MY LIFE
Charles C. Nicholls

My life flows on
Like some sweet song.
I have no care or sorrow,
God gives sufficient
For the day.
I trust Him for the morrow.

My God has been
So good to me,
His praise I daily sound,
I know not what
The future'll be,
Now perfect peace I've found.

So I ever aim to live
In hope and trust and prayer.
The best I have
To Him I'll give.
I know for me He'll care.

Be still and know that I am God. - Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. - And lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.
-Psalm 46:10, John 14:27, Matthew 28:20.

The greatest thing in life is faith....Believe it or not, I believe.
Robert L. (Believe It or Not) Ripley.

We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.
-Romans 8:28.

Prayer is the opening of a window towards God.
No Christian life is safe without unceasing prayer.

There is a bridge, whereof the span
Is rooted in the heart of man, And reaches, without pile or rod,
Unto the great white Throne of God.
Its traffic is in human sighs,
Fervently wafted to the skies;
'Tis the one path from despair,
And it is called the bridge of prayer.
-Gilbert Thomas.

"I am able," saith the Master
"To forgive your every sin.
If you only trust Me fully
You can be made pure within."

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