By Stacey Eising
PHOENIX — On Tuesday morning, July 21, during the LCMS convention in Phoenix, Rear Admiral Rev. Dr. Gregory N. Todd, CHC, USN (Ret.), was recognized on the main convention stage for his 40-plus years of service in military chaplaincy, receiving the Silver St. Martin of Tours Medal from LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces (MAF). The Silver St. Martin of Tours Medal is given for exceptionally meritorious service in support of MAF.
Todd retired from the U.S. Navy in May after serving as the 28th Navy Chief of Chaplains. In this role, Todd directed the Navy Chaplain Corps, overseeing care and ministry to over a million military personnel and their families serving around the world.
“You have served both the Lord and our nation with the highest excellence,” said Chaplain Steven Hokana, assistant director of MAF, as the award was presented. “As a chaplain, you rose through the ranks while representing The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod with exemplary confessional integrity, distinction and grace. Your inspiration, Christ-like example, profound wise counsel and steadfast advocacy assured our chaplains of their sacred calling and their unfettered freedom to proclaim the Gospel amid the most challenging times. Through your [service], the church has been powerfully equipped to bring the transforming hope of Christ to the men and women of the sea services, their families and countless veterans.”
Todd’s four decades of military service also included deployment in service of combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan; care following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks as the first chaplain to arrive at Ground Zero; leadership of chaplain teams responding to many crises and situations; and senior leadership positions at the Pentagon.
In his remarks after receiving the award, Todd said, “I’d like to express my gratitude to God that He would choose such an unworthy servant. And yet He gave me the Gospel to share; the opportunity to do so; and to see the impact on Marines, sailors and coastguardsmen. We tell them their sins are forgiven.”
Todd continued, expressing “my gratitude to my wife for these 40 years of standing by my side throughout this mission. But most especially for today, my gratitude to the LCMS. Through your support, you have empowered our missionaries in uniform to bring the Gospel into the public square, into the military, into one of the most influential organizations in our country. … Thank you for your encouragement and support.”
Todd was also honored during MAF’s Military Recognition Dinner held on July 19, the first evening of the convention.
A call for more chaplains
In their remarks from the stage, both Todd and the Rev. Craig Muehler, director of MAF, gave an urgent call for more LCMS military chaplains.
“Our chaplains have answered the call to stand in the gap and bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those who serve our nation. And we need more,” said Muehler. “The plea from us and from our commanders is simple: Send reinforcements. We need more LCMS chaplains. That is our urgent prayer today. The need is real, and the field is before us. We need to be in the public square, bringing the truth of God’s Word to bear.”
Muehler also urged his audience to send the information of any LCMS Lutherans they know who are serving in the military to MAF (at lcmschaps@lcms.org), so that they can connect with them and provide them with resources and care.
2026 LCMS Convention
Under the theme “Christ Is Risen Indeed,” the 69th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod met July 18–23, 2026, at the Phoenix Convention Center in downtown Phoenix.
There are several ways to get convention news, including:
Web
• lcms.org/convention/national
Video
• lcms.org/convention/national/livestream
Audio
• kfuo.org
Social media
Posted July 21, 2026
