Parachute Infantry prayer

I know this is out of time-line context, but a lot of things I will be writing here (instead of copy/pasting/editing/etc) will be little tidbits of stuff I've found interesting or wanted to rant about.

I've been reading "Parachute Infantry", the memoir by David Kenyon Webster. Anyone who has seen Band Of Brothers know his character. He was the one who gave the small Netherlands boy his first taste of chocolate. When he was hit in Holland he said, "They got me. Can you believe I said that?". He also had the episode where upon returning to Easy Co. after the Battle Of The Bulge, he went on a night-raid with the new Lieutenant across the river in Hagenau. The last bit focusing on him was where he stood up in back of a truck to rant against the surrendered marching Germans.

Anyway, he recounts a memorial service that the 506th Parachute Battalion had for the 231 men lost in the Normandy operation. It was held in Littlecote, England on August 28th. The assembled men recited the Parachute Infantry prayer, written by Lt. James G. Morton. Webster said it was "a fine example of the Gott mit Uns spirit of parachute infantry". I'm not sure if he was being sarcastic in implying that U.S. soldiers were no better in their religious beliefs than the Germans, or if he was pointing out the brotherhood of all honorable soldiers.

"Almighty God, we kneel to Thee and ask to be the instrument of Thy fury in smiting the evil forces that have visited death, misery, and debasement on the people of the earth. We humbly face Thee with true penitence for all our sins, for which we do most earnestly seek Thy forgiveness. Help us to dedicate ourselves completely to Thee. Be with us, God, when we leap from our planes in the dark abyss and descend in parachutes into the midst of enemy fire. Give us iron will and stark courage as we spring from the harnesses of our parachutes to seize arms for battle.
The legions of evil are many, Father; grace our arms to meet and defeat them in Thy name and in the name of the freedom and dignity of man. Keep us firm in our faith and resolution, and guide us that we may not disho0nor our high mission or fail in our sacred duties. Let our enemies who have lived by the sword turn from their violence lest they perish by the sword. Help us to serve Thee gallantly and to be humble in victory."

They also played Taps, which Webster included the lyrics for. I have never known that there were words to the song, but reading them I cannot help but hear the lonely notes to the song.

When your last
Day is past,
Some bright star
From afar
O'er your grave,
Watch will keep.
While you sleep
With the brave.