JOINT AU/MRFF LETTER TO
CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS

April 16~ 2009

To: Admiral Gary Roughead~ United States Chief of Naval Operations

We write today with information concerning Gordon James Klingenschmitt~ a former Navy chaplain whom we believe is attempting to create the false impression that he is still an active-duty member of the U.S. armed forces.

As you may know~ Klingenschmitt was involved in a dispute with naval officials in 2005-06 over the types of prayers he was expected to offer at public events. After a series of such clashes~ Klingenschmitt was removed from the Navy in 2007.

We were surprised~ therefore~ to see the enclosed e-mail message from Klingenschmitt dated March 30~ 2009. The e-mail includes a photo of Klingenschmitt in a naval uniform and it is signed by “Chaplain Gordon
James Klingenschmitt.”

Anyone reading this message who was unfamiliar with Klingenschmitt’s history would assume it was coming from an active-duty chaplain. This appears to be a deliberate attempt on the part of Klingenschmitt to create this impression. He would like to exploit the prestige of the U.S. Navy to promote his latest venture~ a website with political content called www.prayinjesusname.org.

This site~ which also includes a photograph of Klingenschmitt in uniform~ includes an appeal for donations~ noting that funds may be given over the Internet via credit cards. (See enclosed screen image of the homepage of Klingenschmitt’s Web site~ captured April 16~ 2009.)

Title 18 USC Sec. 912 Chapter 43 is clear about misuse of military uniforms. Sec. 912 reads~ “Whoever falsely assumes or pretends to be an officer or employee acting under the authority of the United States or any department~ agency or officer thereof~ and acts as such~ or in such pretended character demands or obtains any money~ paper~ document~ or thing of value~ shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years~ or both.”

By using a photo of himself in a naval uniform and signing his appeal as “Chaplain~” Klingenschmitt has~ we believe~ violated this portion of
federal law.

We urge you to investigate this matter and fully enforce the law.

Sincerely~

Barry W. Lynn~
Executive Director
Americans United for Separation of Church and State
518 C Street NE~ Washington~ DC 20002
www.au.org

Michael L. “Mikey” Weinstein~ Esq.
Founder & President
Military Religious Freedom Foundation
www.militaryreligiousfreedom.org

cc: Vice Admiral Bruce MacDonald
Judge Advocate Generals Corps~
United States Navy Judge Advocate General
1322 Patterson Ave.
Washington Navy Yard
Washington~ D.C. 20374-5066