The U.S. Navy is discharging the chaplain who staged public fasts and prayers for the right to pray in Jesus' name in uniform wherever and whenever he wished.
Lieutenant Gordon Klingenschmitt - who has been serving at Norfolk Naval Station - has lost his church's chaplain certification. That came after his reprimand for disobeying an order by appearing in uniform at a news conference outside the White House.
He obtained certification from another denomination, but a Navy spokesman says it wasn't accepted because of Klingenschmitt's record and performance as a naval officer.
The discharge is effective at the end of this month.
Klingenschmitt calls the dismissal a retaliation for his insistence that chaplains be allowed to pray in Jesus' name. He says he doesn't regret his actions and will continue to appeal the discharge.
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