Composer Chaplain James F. Linzey Performs Army Hymn During U.S. Army Chaplain Corps Anniversary
NEWS PROVIDED BY
Military Bible Association
July 30, 2026
FORT KNOX, Ky., July 30, 2026 /Standard Newswire/ — The historic Lincoln Chapel (Main Post Chapel) at Fort Knox has officially integrated the United States Army Hymn, “Eternal Father, Hear Our Prayer,” into its permanent worship services. The decision followed a featured performance of the piece during the anniversary celebration of the United States Army Chaplain Corps.
Retired U.S. Army Chaplain (Major) James F. Linzey delivers a featured performance of the United States Army Hymn, “Eternal Father, Hear Our Prayer,” at the historic Lincoln Chapel during the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps anniversary celebration, July 26, 2026. (Photo: courtesy of Kathy Walls)
Introduced by retired Chaplain (Colonel) Byron Simmons during the July 26, 2026, worship service, the hymn was performed live by its composer, retired Chaplain (Major) James F. Linzey, and accompanied by Mrs. Karen Simmons. Following the milestone event, Main Post Chapel pastor Chaplain (Colonel) Tim Walls (Ret.) confirmed that Fort Knox will integrate the song into routine congregational singing and future commemorative military ceremonies.
A Sacred Counterpart to a Naval Tradition
Chaplain Linzey originally composed “Eternal Father, Hear Our Prayer” to provide the United States Army with a sacred counterpart to the U.S. Navy’s traditional maritime hymn, “Eternal Father, Strong to Save.” Designed to honor the heritage of the Army Chaplain Corps, the piece serves as a corporate prayer for Soldiers seeking God’s strength, forgiveness, and presence in the face of ultimate sacrifice.
The hymn was written in solemn memory of the Four Immortal Chaplains, who famously surrendered their own life jackets to save fellow servicemen aboard the USAT Dorchester. The transport ship sank in the North Atlantic after being torpedoed by a German submarine during World War II. The Chaplains’ documented courage, faith, and selfless sacrifice continue to inspire both the hymn and the ministry of military chaplains today.
High-Profile Endorsements and Grassroots Support
“I wrote the Army Hymn because while the Army has long had a march to celebrate military service, I believed we also needed a hymn—a corporate prayer in which Soldiers could ask God to strengthen us, forgive us, and receive us should we make the ultimate sacrifice for our country,” Linzey said.
For that reason, senior retired Army Chaplains and Officers, the Baptist Press, the Military Chaplains Association, and thousands of churches across America refer to “Eternal Father, Hear Our Prayer” as the official United States Army Hymn. High-profile endorsements include Major General William D. Waff (Ret.), former G-1 (Personnel) of the Department of the Army; and Chaplain (LTC) Pearlean Scott (Ret.), former Command Chaplain of the United States Army Cadet Command at Fort Knox.
Additionally, former Chief of Chaplains of the U.S. Army, Chaplain (Major General) Thomas L. Solhjem (Ret.), stated, “The United States Army Hymn, ‘Eternal Father, Hear Our Prayer,’ written by Chaplain (Major) James F. Linzey, U.S. Army (Ret.), is a truly inspirational tribute to our Nation’s heritage rooted in faith and belief.”
A Lasting Musical Identity
Constructed during the World War II era, the historic Lincoln Chapel remains the principal worship center for military personnel, family members, and civilian employees stationed at Fort Knox. Colonel Walls’ decision to incorporate the Army Hymn into future services reflects a growing grassroots movement among military chaplains and officers to establish “Eternal Father, Hear Our Prayer” as the lasting musical identity for Army faith communities worldwide.
“The performance of the Army Hymn within the walls of a landmark as historically profound as the Lincoln Chapel marks a major step forward for its legacy,” said Chaplain (Colonel) Joel V. Miller (Ret.). “The commitment from Chaplain Walls and the Fort Knox chapel leadership to weave this piece into routine services demonstrates that its message resonates deeply with today’s military congregations.”
About the Author
Chaplain (Major) James F. Linzey (Ret.) is the only living author of a military hymn and the only individual to have composed two of the six official United States military hymns: the United States Army Hymn, “Eternal Father, Hear Our Prayer,” and the United States Space Force Hymn, “Creator of the Universe.” He served as the first conductor of the United States Army Soldiers Choir at Fort Lee, Virginia.
He also served as the first full-time Chaplain for the Leader’s Training Course (now Cadet Summer Training) under the United States Army Cadet Command and authored the United States Army Cadet Command Prayer, the fourth official institutional military prayer in U.S. history.
Chaplain Linzey is the editor of the United States Army Cadet Command edition of The Leader’s Bible by Military Chaplains, chief editor of the Modern English Version (MEV) Bible translation, author of Moral Leadership, and editor of Manchuria to Midway, written by his father, Captain Stanford E. Linzey, Jr., CHC, USN (Ret.). His father was a World War II hero and a survivor of the historic sinking of the USS Yorktown (CV-5) during the Battle of Midway.
Media Contact
• Contact Person: James F. Linzey, Chaplain (Major), U.S. Army (Ret.)
• Organization: Military Bible Association
• Email: militarybibleassociation@gmail.com
• Phone: (760) 855-3905
• Website: ArmyHymn.com
SOURCE Military Bible Association