This is the story of the Fifth Infantry Soldier Chorus founded by Luther Onerheim while serving with the Third Army, 71st Infantry Division 5th Infantry Regiment, during World War II.

August 1945, the Soldier Chorus at its peak strength of 48 voices

· First Row: Archie Thomas, George Korte, Richard Eichenberger, Donale Keefer, Luther Onerheim, George Jenks, Leon Cohen, Lester Sandberg, Roy Crews

· Second Row: Rex Kepler, Herman Gile, Morris Hudson, Gene V. Williams, Francis Green, Mace Teicher, Elbert Judson, Charles Fusco Glenn Kloock

· Third Row: Thomas Tull, John Domingue, Richard Ringwald, John Schelthoff, Donald Sorenson, Marshall Slade, Vincent Picernc, Claude Collins, Kenneth Jennings, Boyce Bankson, Wells E. Williams, Esmond Ferris.

· Fourth Row: Elmer Reierson, Peter Gruich, Dale Winfield, Marvin Heltzel, Ralph Duffin, Jack Burgess, Herbert Robrtson, Adam Vinick, Henry Weaver, Hartley Nelson, Frederic Sanchez, Carl Sundberg, Robert Peck, Milton Bergstedt, Walter Holman, Arie Knicely, Roy Wray, Leo Bubrick.

Luther Onerheim

2002 Reunion Left to Right Richard Eichenberger, Kenneth Jennings, Boyce Bankson, Esmond Ferris,  Adam Vinick, Robert Peck, John Domingue, Rex Kepler, Carl Sundberg

The men of the 71st Division were unclear what the future held as they started training at Fort Benning, Georgia for the fight still ahead. The idea of a Regimental Chorus in this uncertain environment was controversial at best. But visionaries Chaplain Thomas O. Harrison and Chaplain Leon R. Gorsline believed and supported the dream of a top notch a cappella chorus made up of ordinary infantry soldiers. Undaunted by scoffers and general opposition, Pfc. Luther Onerheim held the first rehearsal on September 1, 1944 in the Sand Hill Chapel No. 5, Fort Benning Georgia. However, men were unable to attend rehearsals and the initial progress was very slow. A plea was made to Colonel Sidney C. Wooten, commander of the Fifth Infantry Regiment. He consented to give the chorus a chance and had a meeting with all First Sergeants . Attendance at rehearsals was no longer a problem! From these shaky beginnings, an outstanding musical ensemble was formed which would delight the audiences of Europe, as well as military dignitaries, including General George S. Patton who praised them saying "Fine music and excellent soldierly appearance".

Members of the chorus rehearsing in Augsburg Cathedral

Jack Burgess singing aboard the T. H. Bliss

Through contacts in Austria, the now Sergeant Onerheim arranged for the Soldier Chorus to sing at the prestigious Salzburg Music Festival on September 2, 1945. The concert, opened with A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, and included the Sibelius Thee, God, We Praise and the F. Melius Christiansen arrangement of Lost in the Night with Richard Eichenberger, soloist.

Onerheim and assistant director

Richard Eichenberger

Luther Onerheim was an inspiration for the men in the chorus. His personality enabled the chorus to rise above themselves and sing better than they believed they could. On January 16, 1946, Luther was driving to Saal, Germany to pick up props for a new tour. He met a six-ton engineering truck on an icy mountain road near Abendsberg. His jeep slid and struck the truck behind the cab. He was diagnosed with a severe basal skull fracture and died at 8:30 that night without ever regaining consciousness. The chorus was stunned. Their beloved leader was gone. It was agreed that Luther would want the chorus to continue singing as long as possible. Col. Wooten ordered all Regimental and National colors be lowered to half-mast on January 18 as a tribute to Onerheim. Col. Wooten saluted him as "The finest soldier and gentlemen I have ever known." The chorus sang Beautiful Savior for the close of his memorial service in St.Paul's Lutheran Church, Augsburg.

A final tour was given under the direction of chorus member Richard Eichenberger. On February 3, the chorus sang its final performance in the 71st Division Chapel in Augsburg. On February 5, after many members had left or been called back to their companies, only a skeleton of the once great chorus remained. Col. Wooten had requested a new series of programs, but Eichenberger objected to singing inferior concerts to audiences who remembered the once first-rate chorus. It ended with Wooten sending the remaining members of the chorus back to their respective companies.

During the months following V-E Day, the Fifth Infantry Soldier Chorus sang 110 major performances with a repertoire of nearly 100 selections, all memorized. The 60 men who were part of the Soldier Chorus since its beginning were brought closer to God through music and found inspiration in an atmosphere of death and destruction.

February 1946, under the direction of Richard Eichenberger

This is the chorus that made the recordings.

Additional Real Audio files of the chorus:

Adoramus te,Christe - Giovanni Palestrina

Cantate Domino - Hans Leo Hassler

With Heart Uplifted - Constantine Schvedvov

O bone Jesu - Giovanni Palestrina

Qui tollis - Antonio Caldara

Links Of Interest:

The Official Homepage of the 71 Infantry Division

Smoke of Battle the Fifth Infantry Regiment March by Pvt. David Ichelson

My Brother, Hail and Farwell! A review of Edward Zebrowski's fascinating narrative of his experiences with the 71st division.

The Seventy-First Came...To Gunkirchen Lager: The complete text and pictures of this important booklet about the liberation of the concentration camp Gunkirchen Lager.

Cybrary of the Holocaust

Choral Net: The quintessential source for choral music on the Web.

Acknowledgements:

The story and pictures are taken from The Soldier Chorus, an unpublished history of the chorus written and supervised by chorus member Robert Peck.

Please email comments or suggestions to Allin Sorenson.