02-18-26 Kurtz Honored With Four Chaplains Award (Photo) - 02/18/26
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 18, 2026
Kurtz Honored with Four Chaplains Award
(Douglas County, Ore.) Douglas County Commissioners Tom Kress, Chris Boice, and Tim Freeman are excited to recognize and congratulate Douglas County Human Resources Director Michael Kurtz as the latest recipient of the prestigious Four Chaplains Legion of Honor award. Kurtz was surprised with the award at a special presentation on February 18, 2026, at the Board of Commissioners Weekly Business Meeting held at the Douglas County Courthouse in Roseburg. Kurtz joins four other 2025/26 Four Chaplains award winners who received awards on February 7, 2026, at the local Four Chaplains ceremony.
“The story of the Four Chaplains is a remarkable testament to human kindness and sacrifice. The idea of serving others sacrificially is the basis for what public service is all about. We are excited that one of our own exemplary employees, and US Army veteran Michael Kurtz was presented with this much deserving award.” - Commissioner Tim Freeman
After the Pledge of Allegiance, Chair Kress invited Chief Warrant Officer Jim Little, US Navy retired to the podium to present the Four Chaplains Legion of Honor Award to Kurtz. Little went on to state that on Saturday, February 7, 2026, the Annual Four Chaplains service was held at Westside Christian Church, co-hosted by Douglas County Clerk Daniel Loomis, US Army retired and 1st Sergeant Jim Barnett, US Marine Corps retired. The story of the Four Chaplains was told about the courage, sacrifice and heroism of these four men of God and the sacrifice of 672 souls at the sinking of the USAT Dorchester during World War II.
“I must report to you that we made two errors during the service. Error number one; I thanked everyone involved with the service. The error was I neglected to thank the Douglas County Board of Commissioners for the Four Chaplains Day Proclamation that was made the week prior to the service, honoring the four chaplains and the annual Douglas County Four Chaplains event. The proclamation was greatly appreciated and a huge part of the effort to keep this important story alive. I apologize for the error, and I give you my sincere thanks for the proclamation that I neglected to give during the service. During service several awards were presented, and error number two is about to be corrected. Now will Dan Loomis and Jim Barnett please come forward, and we will rectify our error,” stated Jim Little.
Little then invited Kurtz up front - and to his surprise his wife Carolyn, two children, and father Dale Kurtz joined him for the presentation. Dan Loomis presented details of the award, Commissioner Freeman presented the award plaque and Jim Barnett presented Kurtz with a Four Chaplain’s Legion of Honor membership lapel pin and a 3-cent memorial Four Chaplains postage stamp. Joining the ceremony to congratulate Kurtz were local Four Chaplains award winners including: Carol Hunt, Dan Loomis, Commissioner Tim Freeman, Jim Barnett, Jim Little, Bill Duncan, Heidi Wood, Neil Hummel, Sheriff John Hanlin, Undersheriff Brad O’Dell, Lonnie Shields, Rick Scaipiti and Commissioner Chris Boice.
“I want to say thank you. I am deeply honored and deeply humbled,” commented Michael Kurtz. In a speech he thought he was preparing to present to Commissioner Freeman, Kurtz stated, “We veterans defend our nation against enemies to our freedoms, liberties, and constitutional rights. And in return, all we really expect is that in times of peace, that our citizens live up to those ideals. If those ideals we defended are preserved, our job was done and all the gratitude we ever need has been given."
The Four Chaplains Legion of Honor Awards are presented each year across the United States and are given in the spirit of the Four Chaplains (often referred to as the Immortal Chaplains), who, without hesitation gave away their life jackets during the attack and eventual sinking of the United States Army Transport Ship Dorchester on February 3, 1943, during World War II. The Four Chaplain Lieutenants who sacrificed themselves so that others could live that day were Reverend George L. Fox (Methodist), Rabbi Alexander D. Goode (Jewish), Reverend Clark V. Poling (Dutch Reformed Church in America) and Father John P. Washington (Roman Catholic). The Dorchester was one of three ships in an American convoy that was moving steadily across the icy waters from Newfoundland toward an American base in Greenland when it was torpedoed by an enemy German U-boat submarine. 672 young men and women paid the ultimate sacrifice in the attack that day. The Legion of Honor Awards recognize a select group of individuals who embody the giving spirit and unconditional service to their community, their nation and to humanity. This year marks the eighty-third anniversary of the sinking of the USAT Dorchester.
Kurtz spent much of his childhood in Riddle, Oregon, in Douglas County. He served in the United States Army from 1989 to 1992, during which time he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his work as a military photojournalist during the Gulf War. As a senior editor, he was part of the team that received the prestigious Department of Defense Keith L. Ware Award for producing the most outstanding military newspaper. Michael is the author of the fiction novel Burn to Black, inspired by his experiences as a wildland firefighter. He completed graduate studies and professional education programs at Willamette University and Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, and has previously done public speaking, drawing from his childhood experiences in the foster care system to educate and support foster and adoptive parents. Currently, Michael serves as the Douglas County Human Resources Director, a position he has held since July 2012. He previously served as Deputy Director of the Douglas County Health and Social Services Department and as Policy Director for the Oregon Commission on Children and Families. Michael has also previously served on the Board of Directors for the local chapter of CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) and Battered Persons Advocacy (now known as Peace at Home Advocacy Center). Michael has been a tireless advocate for veterans and, during the COVID-19 pandemic, volunteered countless hours ensuring volunteers throughout the county were properly recognized and supported. Michael is an invaluable asset to Douglas County governance and to the broader community. He consistently supports veteran-related issues and activities, is an aspiring screenwriter who hopes to one day see his words on film. He is married to Carolyn and together, they have two children.
The 14th Annual Roseburg Four Chaplains Legion of Honor Award Ceremony was held on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at Westside Christian Church in Roseburg. Chief Warrant Officer Jim Little, US Navy retired, 1st Sergeant Jim Barnett, US Marine Corps retired, and Chief Warrant Officer Dan Loomis, US Army Retired organized and hosted the event. All three are past Legion of Honor Awardees, with Little and Barnett recipients of the prestigious Legion of Honor Bronze Medallion.
The ceremony on February 7th featured a color guard presented by United States Naval Sea Cadets – Roseburg Division, Zoe Robinson and Heaven Bodine; the presentation of the Pledge of Allegiance led by United States Naval Sea Cadet – Roseburg Division, Elianna Lantz; an invocation by Pastor Rick McMichael; a tribute candle lighting; recitation of the heroic story of the Dorchester and the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Escanaba; the ringing of the ship’s bell by Carmen Little; the playing of “Amazing Grace” on the bag pipes by Josh Frazier; ‘Taps’ on the cornet by United States Army retired Lieutenant Colonel Tom Davis and a benediction prayer by Chaplain Patrice Borne, all in remembrance of the 672 soldiers and civilians who perished on that cold icy day over eight decades ago. Joining them in faith were United States Air Force retired, Chief Master Sergeant Pastor Rick McMichael of the Westside Christian Church in Roseburg; Reverand Father Dustin N. Busse, S.T.L. St. Joseph Catholic Church; Chaplain US Army Major Patrice Borne from the Roseburg VA Medical Center, and former United States Marine, Rabbi Russell McAlmond from the Center for Human Equality in Grants Pass.
Following the recitation of the heroic narratives and the candle lighting presentation at the February 7th ceremony, Little, Barnett and Loomis announced and honored Jennifer Ellis and Lonnie Shields as the newest inductees into the Chaplains Legion of Honor with the 2025/26 Award. In a surprise presentation they awarded a Legion of Honor Bronze Medallion to Carol Hunt. The Bronze Medallion Award is a national level award and is the second highest honor given by the Chapel. Carol was presented with the Bronze Medallion Award in recognition of her lifetime commitment to selfless service and societal advancement, which has positively affected the quality of life in our community. Carol is a founding member of the Wings of Love organization, which works to locate veterans and infants who were long forgotten in mortuaries and ensure they receive proper and dignified burials. She also generously volunteers her time with the Douglas County Veterans Advisory Committee, the Douglas County Veterans Day Parade Committee, the Douglas County Vietnam Veterans Memorial Service, Douglas County Memorial Day Service, Vets Visit Vets Program at Mercy Medical Center, Operation Homefront, Garden of Innocence, VFW Post #2468 Auxiliary, NCOA Auxiliary, AVVA, Elks Lodge, ALA Unit 16, and serves as the National Guard Family Readiness Group Coordinator for the Roseburg National Guard Unit. One more award was presented to Roseburg VA Chaplain Patrice Borne. She received the Four Chaplains Appreciation Award. Also, assisting with the ceremony and presentation of awards were United States Naval Sea Cadets – Roseburg Division - Trinity Dickie and Conner Berlier, Commissioner Tim Freeman, Mary Newman and Bill Duncan.
The Four Chaplains Legion of Honor award is an honor awarded to people based on documented acts of selfless service. Nominations for the Four Chaplains Legion of Honor award must be submitted to and approved by the special Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation committee in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania each year. Some notable recipients of this award are Presidents Truman, Eisenhower and Reagan, Luminaries Bob Hope, John Glenn, James Michener and Marian Anderson, as well as many other military veterans, and civilians from all walks of life. Previous recipients from Douglas County government include Commissioner Tim Freeman, Commissioner Chris Boice, Sheriff John Hanlin, Undersheriff Brad O’Dell, former Undersheriff Jeff Frieze, former Commissioner Mike Winters, Veterans Service Officer, Mary Newman, Heidi Wood and Douglas County Clerk, Dan Loomis. Additionally, Four Chaplains Appreciation Award recipients include Douglas County Public Affairs Officer Tamara Howell and former Public Affairs Specialist Kellie Trenkle. Since 2012, our local Four Chaplains Chapter has awarded 4 Legion of Honor Bronze Medallions, 3 Legion of Honor Humanitarian Awards, 58 Legion of Honor Awards, and 11 Appreciation Awards. To learn more about the Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation and the Legion of Honor Award program, click here.
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Media Contact: Tamara Howell, Douglas County Emergency Communications & Community Engagement Specialist, Douglas County Public Affairs Office | Office: (541) 957-4896 | Cell: (541) 670-2804 | Email: tamara.howell@douglascountyor.gov
Attached: Photos © T.Howell/Douglas County. Individual photos are available upon request.
