Leaders of Military Chaplains Association and Military Order of World Wars Hail the Hymn as the Official Army Hymn
The Commemorative Proclamation for the United States Army Hymn, ‘Eternal Father, Hear Our Prayer,’ signed and released by Chaplain James F. Linzey on July 4, 2026.
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Chaplain James F. Linzey
July 6, 2026
WASHINGTON, July 6, 2026 /Standard Newswire/ — On July 4, 2026, the historic occasion of the United States’ 250th Birthday, Chaplain (Major General) Thomas L. Solhjem, U.S. Army (Ret.), the 25th Chief of Chaplains of the United States Army, formally announced his endorsement of ‘Eternal Father, Hear Our Prayer’ by Chaplain (Major) James F. Linzey, U.S. Army (Ret.), as the United States Army Hymn. Chaplain Solhjem’s endorsement reads as follows:
“The United States Army Hymn, ‘Eternal Father, Hear Our Prayer,’ written by Chaplain (MAJ) James F. Linzey, U.S. Army (Ret.), is a truly inspirational tribute to our Nation’s true heritage rooted in faith and belief. God called and brought us into existence 250 years ago as our founding fathers placed their lives and sacred honor in the hands of a sovereign God who heard and answered their prayers! Thank you, Chaplain Linzey, for this wonderful gift to our Army and Nation!”
Chaplain Solhjem’s endorsement was issued on America’s 250th Birthday, symbolically linking the hymn to the Nation’s semiquincentennial celebration and to the enduring spiritual heritage of the United States Army.
The United States Army Hymn is dedicated in solemn memory to the Four Immortal Chaplains. Newly commissioned first lieutenants fresh out of the Army Chaplains School at Harvard University, these men were bound for their very first active duty assignments in Greenland when the USAT Dorchester was torpedoed by a German U-boat in the icy waters of the North Atlantic on February 3, 1943. They gave their life vests to their Soldiers.
Though they never had the chance to officially begin their duties on the ground, their ultimate sacrifice on that fateful night exemplifies the highest ideals of American service, interfaith unity, and supreme devotion to duty. Their names are as follows: 1st Lt. George L. Fox (Methodist minister), 1st Lt. Alexander D. Goode (Jewish rabbi), 1st Lt. John P. Washington (Roman Catholic priest), and 1st Lt. Clark V. Poling (Reformed Church minister).
As the Dorchester slowly sank, they were heard and seen, arm in arm, praying.
The endorsement follows growing recognition of the hymn by military organizations and senior chaplain leaders across the Armed Forces. Set to the historic tune ‘Eventide,’ best known as the melody of the beloved hymn ‘Abide with Me,’ the piece has quickly garnered attention for its deep musical heritage.
In the June 24, 2026 edition of the Military Chaplains Association (MCA) ‘Weekly News Digest,’ MCA Executive Director Major General William D. ‘Razz’ Waff, U.S. Army (Ret.), who previously served as the Deputy G-1 (Personnel) for the Department of the Army at the Pentagon, publicly stated:
“The final article describes the work of Chaplain James Linzey, U.S. Army, Retired, in composing the official Army Hymn, ‘Eternal Father, Hear Our Prayer,’ with the tune setting of Eventide… I will be very interested to see how well this can be synched with the major Army bands, especially ‘Pershing’s Own’ at Ft. Myer, VA. More to follow!”
Chaplain Linzey holds the status of the 1st Conductor of the United States Army Soldiers Choir at Fort Lee, Virginia. He also was the first full-time chaplain to serve for the Leader’s Training Course (now Cadet Summer Training) under the United States Army Cadet Command at Fort Knox, Kentucky. As such he was commissioned to write the Official Institutional United States Army Cadet Command Prayer. This is the fourth official institutional military prayer in American history. He was commissioned by the Commandant, Colonel Robert J. Frusha. The unveiling ceremony was presided over by the Commanding General of the United States Army Cadet Command, Major General W. Montague Winfield.
Chaplain (Colonel) Albert Franke, Joint National Guard (Ret.), who is the Assistant Chaplain General for the Military Order of World Wars and former State of California Chaplain, emphasized the deep historical significance of the Army Hymn. He stated:
“As our Nation marks its historic 250th Birthday, ‘Eternal Father, Hear Our Prayer’ serves as a profound reminder of the spiritual foundations upon which America was built. Knowing that Chaplain James Linzey composed this United States Army Hymn in sacred remembrance of the Four Immortal Chaplains who went down with the USAT Dorchester in World War II makes it deeply meaningful. I am proud to endorse ‘Eternal Father, Hear Our Prayer’ as the official United States Army Hymn and as a tribute to our Army heritage.”
In enduring tribute to their legacy and to all who serve, Chaplain Linzey released ‘Eternal Father, Hear Our Prayer’ into the public domain for use as the United States Army Hymn during Divine Worship Services within military chapels and civilian churches and for performance at memorials, funerals, and patriotic ceremonies.
Heritage runs deep in the Linzey family. His father, Captain Stanford E. Linzey, Jr., CHC, USN (Ret.), was a World War II Sailor who survived the sinking of the USS Yorktown (CV-5) at the Battle of Midway, later becoming a chaplain in the U.S. Navy and retiring with the rank of Captain.
CONTACT: Chaplain James F. Linzey, 760-855-3905
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8xLcnPZyvM