Joseph B. Chaplin, Jr., 1945

Our Omega Mu brothers who served in the military are cherished and constant fraternal friends, and we would like to say thank you for the steadfast, purposeful commitment you made to our nation to defend those four freedoms we all believe in: “Freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear.” For those brothers who were killed in defense of these freedoms, they will always occupy a consecrated place in our linked fraternal heart because they exemplify the idea of superlative commitment, strength, and fortitude for the good to the end itself. The greatness of their collective purpose and will, on our nation’s behalf, will never be forgotten. By their “clear-eyed faith and fearless heart,” these brothers have left us a fraternal legacy that echoes what we often say about Omega Mu Fijis: “Perseverance and determination are omnipotent.” Their code of integrity, courage, duty, responsibility, and self-sacrifice on behalf of our nation is a powerful legacy that we will always be proud of as Omega Mu Fijis. 

​Whether it was at New Orleans, Red River, Fort Blakely, Marianna, San Juan Hill, Santiago de Cuba, Chateau-Thierry, Verdun, D-Day, El Guettar, Elba, Monte Della Vedetta, the Battle of the Bulge, Rabaul, Inchon, Pusan, Chosin Reservoir, Pork Chop Hill, Hue, Easter Offensive, Phu Cat, The Iron Triangle, Hamburger Hill, la Drang Valley, Bien Hoa, Khe Sanh, Rumaila,  Al-Batin, Medina Ridge, Kabul, Kandahar, our Omega Mu brothers have demonstrated devotion to duty in defense of freedom and liberty. They are the stability of our nation, and we, the Omega Mu brotherhood, revere, honor, and salute their persevering and determined spirit within our great nation and our historic brotherhood. We will always honor the heroism of all of our brothers who have served in the armed forces from the Civil War to the present. Thank you. ​​

Omega Mu Veteran
Joseph B. Chaplin, Jr.,
1945

Omega Mu Years

Mrs. Hewitt,
Omega Mu Housemother

Joseph B. Chaplin, Jr. served in the 84th Infantry Division during World War II

The 84th Division has a history reaching back to Abraham Lincoln and the Black Hawk Indian War of 1832. The division patch is a symbol of that legacy and shows an axe splitting
​a log for a rail fence."

"The Germans Called Them 
​Hatchet Men"

"They were rushed to the Siegfried Line. Then began two months of savage fighting during which the 84th took 112 German pillboxes and bunkers in the Siegfried Line, and helped crush Rundstedt's counteroffensive in the Ardennes.
​It was as notable a start as any
fighting unit could hope to have."

St. Vith

"The 84th Infantry Division played a crucial role in the defense of St. Vith, Belgium, during the initial stages of the Battle of the Bulge. The division's troops held their positions against fierce German assaults, delaying the enemy's advance and buying time for other Allied unites to reinforce the area."

St. Vith

The 84th marching to St. Vith

The division's troops held their positions against fierce German assaults, delaying the enemy's advance and buying time for other Allied unites to reinforce the area."

"the  84th Infantry Division participated in the Rhineland Campaign. \

​The division played a key role in capturing the towns of Prum, Bitburg, and Trier in Germany, which helped open the way for the Allied forces to advance toward the Rhine River."

Into Germany

The Sign Reads:
"Road and Shoulder Cleared of Krauts.
84th

The 84th Division and the Russian Army meet at the Elbe River

Omega Mu Sires And Sons:
Joseph B. Chaplin, Jr., and James S. Chaplin

James S. Chaplin, 1971

​“What if the space be long and wide,
That parts us from our brother’s side
A soul-joined chain unites our band,
And memory links us hand in hand.”
(Phi Gamma Delta fraternity song)

Fraternally,
Chip Chapman, ’82
Perge