Honoring the Four Chaplains
Tuesday, February 3, marked the 66th anniversary of the sinking of the USAT Dorchester and the courageous act of heroism of the Four Chaplains - an act that saved numerous lives and proved to the world that unity among American warriors of different faiths makes our military strong.
In November 1942, four young men attending Chaplain's School at Harvard University found they had enough in common to bond together. George Fox, a Methodist minister, was 42 and considered by the others to be the "older brother". The youngest was 30-year old Clark Poling, a Dutch Reformed minister. Less than three years separated him from the other two, Rabbi Alexander Goode and Father John Washington. Their desire to render service to their Nation during the critical years of World War II became a bond that joined them for all eternity.
On February 3, 1943, the Dorchester, a converted luxury cruise ship, was transporting Army troops to Greenland in World War II. On board with some 900 troops were these four chaplains of diverse religions and backgrounds, but of a commmon faith and commitment to serve God and Country.
Top row, left to right: Chaplain Clark V. Poling,
Chaplain John P. Washington;
Bottom row, left to right:Chaplain George L. Fox,
Chaplain Alexander D. Goode
approximately 12:55 a.m., in the dead of a freezing night, the Dorchester was hit by a torpedo fired by German U-boat 233 in an area so infested with German submarines that it was known as "Torpedo Junction".
The blast ripped a hole in the ship from below the waterline to the top deck.
Of the 900 troops and crew on board, two-thirds would ultimately die. Most of those who survived suffered lifelong infirmities and pain from the time they spent in the icy waters.
The four Chaplains tried to calm the troops, and to alleviate their fear and terror.
They passed out life jackets until the awful moment arrived when there were no more life jackets left.
It was then that a most remarkable act of heroism, faith and love took place.
Each of the four Chaplains took off his life jacket, knowing that act meant certain death, and put his life jacket on a soldier who didn't have one.
A survivor of the sinking, Engineer Grady Clark later recalled, "As I swam away from the ship, I looked back. The flares lighted everything. The bow came up high and she slid under. The last thing I saw, the Four Chaplains were up there praying for the safety of the men. They had done everything they could. I did not see them again. They themselves did not have a chance without their life jackets."
Then, as the ship sank into the raging sea, the four Chaplains linked hands and arms. Survivors reported that they could see and hear the four Chaplains praying together and singing hymns until they met their watery death. They sacrificed their lives so that others may live.
Today, the Four Chaplains stand as a beacon to the Nation, summoning each of us to look upward, to show respect for all of God's children, and to stand together in hard times as well as good.
Note: The American Legion has been conducting annual Four Chaplains remembrances across the country for almost half a century. For more information, visit Acy@legion.org; or write to: The American Legion, Attn: Chaplains Program, PO Box 1055, Indianapolis, IN 46206 (317-630-1212).