On February 3, 1943, the troopship SS Dorchester was in a convoy bound for Greenland when it was torpedoed and sunk by a German U-boat. Of the 904 soldiers and crew aboard, 672 died. Among the dead were four US Army chaplains who comforted the living and the dying and helped soldiers board lifeboats and rafts. The chaplains gave their life jackets to soldiers without them. As the ship went down, survivors in nearby rafts could see the four chaplains — arms linked and braced against the slanting deck. Their voices could also be heard saying prayers and singing hymns. The four chaplains were Methodist minister Reverend George L. Fox, Reform Rabbi Alexander D. Goode, Roman Catholic priest Reverend John P. Washington, and Reformed Church in America minister Reverend Clark V. Poling.
Their backgrounds, personalities, and denominations were different from one another, although Goode, Poling, and Washington had served as leaders in the Boy Scouts. They met at the Army Chaplains School at Harvard University, where they prepared for assignments in the European theater, sailing on board Dorchester to report to their new assignments.
On May 28, 1948, the United States Postal Service issued a special stamp to commemorate the brotherhood, service, and sacrifice of the Four Chaplains.
From the Chaplain Corp History page: Although the Distinguished Service Cross and Purple Heart were later awarded posthumously Congress wished to confer the Medal of Honor but was blocked by the stringent requirements which required heroism performed under fire. So a posthumous Special Medal for Heroism, The Four Chaplains’ Medal, was authorized by Congress and awarded by the President on January 18, 1961. It was never given before and will never be given again.
The Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation in Philadelphia maintains the Chapel of the Four Chaplains, which since the late 1940’s has been telling the story of the Four Chaplains and encouraging selfless sacrifice and interfaith cooperation. The Foundation also offers a range of programs and scholarships in honor of the Four Chaplains.
In Kearny NJ on the grounds of Saint Stephens Church is a monument to the four chaplains. Father Washington was from Saint Stephens parish. The memorial about six feet tall depicts a half submerged ship in a vertical position and has the four chaplains faces on the deck.
At a time when our beloved country is again beset by religious dissension, it would do us well to remember the single-mindedness, courage, and sacrifice of those four brave men of faith.
This is the Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation at the Chapel of the Four Chaplains in the Philadelphia Navy Yard. We just completed services and a banquet last Wednesday on February 3, 2016 at which we award the Gold Medallion to Woody Williams, USMC, Medal of Honor, Iwo Jima: and, Tom Manion USMC, of the Travis Manion Foundation.
We are searching for family members of Dorchester Survivors and those who went done on the Dorchester. Our program is very active. Come visit us and get involved.
http://www.fourchaplains.org
215-218-1943
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