MS232
Rabbi James L. Apple
Chaplain, United States Navy

In 1970, James Lewis Apple, husband, father of two young children, and ordained Rabbi, was accepted into the Chaplain Corps, U.S. Navy. The world, and the service men and women he came to know, became his true Mission.

This collection follows his career in Ministry, as an Naval Officer and teacher. His numerous awards, citations, letters of appreciation, and commendations, as well as letters and cards of thanks for spiritual guidance as well as friendship reveal a man dedicated to practicing his belief. Rabbi Apple and his wife Sandy were a true team, and often honored as such. Together they created a "family" atmosphere in duty stations from Great Lakes, IL, to Newport, RI, to Camp Lejeune, to Camp Smedley, Okinawa, to Gaeta, Italy, and after retirement, to Wilmington NC. They taught Christians and Jews the history of the High Holy Days, the meaning of how and why special foods were eaten, and traditions observed during this special time.

This collection contains correspondence, papers, photographs, pertaining to the life of James L. Apple.

This collection was donated to the William Madison Randall Library by James L. Apple in January 2003.

This Collection has been designated Accession Number 232 of the Manuscripts Collection, Special Collections Department, William Madison Randall Library, University of North Carolina at Wilmington, 601 South College Road, Wilmington, North Carolina 28403-3297. 

There are no access restrictions on this collection.

Processed by Carroll R. Jones
Manuscripts Collection
William Madison Randall Library
The University of North Carolina Wilmington
February, 2003

Inventory
Manuscript/Box/File

232/1/1
Certificate of birth
Local Draft Board no. 94
Application for Commission U.S. Navy Chaplain Corps
Letter verifying ordination as Rabbi
Service Agreement, orders to Chaplain School, 1970

232/1/2
Temporary appointment CHC, USNR. Orders to report Great Lakes Training Center
NTC upon completion Chaplain School, Newport, RI, 1970
Reserve Officer appointment, May, 1970
Travel orders & endorsements. Pay entry Base date
Completed Security Investigation, June, 1970

232/1/3
Change of Dependency Certificate, 1971
Servicemen's Group Life Insurance change, 1971
Schedule of payments to Military Chaplain Corps
Appointment as Lieutenant (junior grade) Chaplain Corps
Certificate U.S. Naval Schools Command, Newport, RI, 1970

232/1/4
Correspondence referencing Chaplain School, Newport, RI, and duty Great Lakes, IL, 1970

232/1/5
Letters referencing appointment Chaplain Corps, 1970
Penn State Scholastic Record

232/1/6
Medical History, Jan. 1970
Statement of Personal History

232/1/7
Certificate of Training - Race Relations Seminar, 1970
Correspondence National Jewish Welfare Board, 1972
Letters of Appreciation, 1972
Letters subject extension on active duty, 1972

232/1/8
Acceptance and oath of office as Lieutenant, CHC, 1973
Letters of Appreciation/Awards
Request from Phil Crane, MC to sit on Candidate Screening Committee U.S.N.A
Papers referencing request for and acceptance regular Navy

232/1/9
TAD orders.
Copies of form letters from Chaplain Apple, 1974
Letters of Appreciation, 1974
Orders to Camp Lejeune, NC 2nd Marine Division
Communication referencing orders to Camp Lejeune

232/1/10
Request for extension at present tour of duty
Promotion to Lt. Commander, 1976

232/1/11
Orders to Okinawa, Camp Smedley, with reference to paper work including travel papers
Certificate of Commendation, Certificate of Completion, 1976
Letter of Appreciation, 1976

232/1/12
TAD orders Naval School Command (Chaplain) Newport, RI, 1976
Orders to Camp Smedley, Letters to his relief

232/1/13
Requests for extension of Tour, 1977, 1978, 1979
Letters of Appreciation
Certificates
Naval Correspondence courses, 1970 - 80

232/1/14
Letter of Commendation, June, 1974

232/1/15
Letters to all requiring notification of change of Duty, 1980
Communication referencing career pattern of Senior Jewish Chaplain
Acceptance rank of Commander, U.S.N. CHC, 1980
Chaplain report/expense voucher, 1980
Letters of congratulations to Commander rank, 1980

232/2/1
Orders to Staff Chaplain's School, Newport, RI, 1981
Description of Chaplain Staff, 1981
Appointment to permanent rank of Commander, 1981
Biographical and Service Record sketch, 1981

232/2/2
Assorted papers referencing Navy, 1982
BUPERS change of Duty orders, 1984
Correspondence relating to Duty Camp Lejeune, 1986 - 87
Authorization to wear various Award ribbons

232/2/3
Rabbis At Sea: Circuit Riding Ministry, by J. Apple, no date
Graduation Ceremony Program, 1981
Photo of Senior Chaplain graduating class, 1981
Assorted newspaper clippings referencing Holy Days, 1980's

232/2/4
Letters of Appreciation, 1980
Certificates, Awards, 1980

232/2/5
Letters of Appreciation,1981 - 1986
Medal awards, Citations, 1986 - 1987
Various Citations, 1987 - 1989

232/2/7
Letters of congratulations on promotion, 1990

232/2/8
Letters/cards of congratulations on promotion, 1990

232/2/9
Letters/cards of congratulations on promotion, 1990

232/2/11
Fitness Reports 1975 - 1984

232/2/12
Fitness Reports 1985 - 1995

232/3/1
Change of Duty orders. Permanent appointment to Captain, 1991
Personal correspondence. Record of Duty Assignments, change in orders, 1994
Various papers referencing separation from Navy, 1995

232/3/2
Numerous Awards, Citations, Letters of Appreciation
Legion of Honor Membership
"Chaplain of the Year" award, 1993

232/3/3
Retirement orders, June, 1996
Retirement Ceremony program. Officer Summary Record
Personal letters, 1995

232/3/4
Letters, cards of good wishes, congratulations, and thanks

232/3/5
Personal letters of appreciation. BuPers microfiche, 1996 - 1999
Copy of email to daughter Rachel
Miscellaneous items

232/3/6
2000 Calendar, Jewish War Vets of USA, with Rabbi Apple on cover

232/3/7
Letters from Sandy (Apple) 1980's

232/3/8
Deptatment of Navy BuPers microfiche of Personal Reports
Microviewer, Continuing Ed Panel credit

232/3/9
File photos; 1954 - 1980's

232/3/10
Assorted photos throughout Naval career

232/3/11
Assorted photos Naval career, most without dates

232/3/12
Assorted photos Naval career, most with no dates

232/4/1
News clippings - celebrating Jewish Holy Days
Telling story of traditions

232/4/2
News articles, Jewish traditions, religious observances, special recipes

232/4/3
Assorted articles detailing Chaplain Corps Ministry
Military Action in Middle East, 1986

232/5/1
Le Jew at LeJeune: What Kind of Job Is This for a Nice Jewish Boy? by Rabbi James Apple
A book manuscript with photographs and other autobiographical documents

232/6/1
Scrapbook of Rabbi Apple's career, given on the occasion of his retirement party, June 29, 2003

232/7/1
"What If It Ended This Way?" New Interpretations of Old Testament Stories, compiled and edited by James Apple

232/7/2
Photo album with photos, cards and negatives

232/7/3
Comsixth Fleet Rabbi. Journal. Vol. I.  23 Oct.1984 - 16 Dec. 1985

232/7/4
Comsixth Fleet Rabbi. Journal. Vol. II. 17 Dec 1985 - 23 July 1986

232/7/5
Pages 1-20 and 23 from Comsixth Fleet Rabbi. Journal.  Vol. I 25,  Sept. 1984 - 9 Oct. 1984

232/7/6
Miscellaneous papers from Comsixth Fleet Rabbi. Journal.  Vol. I and II

232/8/
The Badge Framed poem by Robert Malloy commemorating Rabbi Apple's service with the Wilmington Police Department
Four Chaplains Award, Awarded to Rabbi James Apple from Chaplain D. Goode-Ben Goldman Lodge B'nai B'rith

COPYRIGHT:  Retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.