CHAPLAIN'S CORNER
Jeffrey Becker
If you hang around an American Legion post40 long enough, you’ll hear the tale of the Four Chaplains. It’s one of those true and inspiring stories that should be told in every U.S. history class but isn’t.
On Feb. 3, 1943, the Army transport ship Dorchester was torpedoed by a German U-boat while crossing the icy North Atlantic in a convoy. Of the 902 soldiers, merchant seamen, and civilian workers aboard, only 230 were rescued. The fact that even that many survived is in part because of the level heads and steady hands of Lts. George Fox, Alexander Goode, Clark Poling, and John Washington. As Dorchester slid beneath the waves, the four Army chaplains calmed frightened men and led as many as they could to safety. When they ran out of life jackets, they gave away their own. Those swimming in the water and floating in rafts never forgot their last glimpse of the chaplains: all four – Methodist minister, Jewish rabbi, Reformed Church in America reverend, and Roman Catholic priest – were linked arm in arm, praying and singing hymns as they went down with the ship.
In a way, they have achieved immortality. For a nation at war, the chaplains’ triumph in the face of tragedy became an enduring example of faith, courage, selflessness, and sacrificial love. In 1988, Congress designated Feb. 3 “Four Chaplains Day.” Many American Legion post commemorate the anniversary of Dorchester’s sinking with ceremonies and memorial services, usually on the first Sunday in February. Many Post mark Four Chaplains Day in some manner – a short program, a longer service with a wreath-laying or candle-lighting, maybe even a breakfast or banquet that includes an empty table set for four. These observances are an integral part of the Legion’s “Service to God and Country” program, carried out by our chaplains nationwide.
Talk of one’s religious duty isn’t popular nowadays, and recent polls show that Americans’ faith in God is declining. But the Legion won’t abandon its support for religion’s place in the public square. Our nation’s founding fathers recognized God as the author of life and liberty. So did the veterans who founded The American Legion in the ashes of the bloodiest war the world had yet seen. Without God, they believed, there is no Americanism. We are nondenominational and nonsectarian, but we are not and never will be hostile to faith. We celebrate it.
Whether offering a prayer for wisdom at a post-meeting or visiting an ill comrade in the hospital, Legion chaplains are the hands and feet of our organization. In February, as we honor the legacy of the Four Chaplains, let’s acknowledge those among us who strive to meet the spiritual needs of the nation’s military, veterans, and their families. In a challenging time, they are willing and able to remind us all of our dependence on God, if we’ll hear them.
The Four Chaplains' Medal
WASHINGTON (Jan. 28, 2014) -- It was Feb. 3, 1943, and the U.S. Army Transport Dorchester was one of three ships in a convoy, moving across the Atlantic from Newfoundland to an American base in Greenland. A converted luxury liner, the Dorchester was crowded to capacity, carrying 902 servicemen, merchant seamen and civilian workers.
It was only 150 miles from its destination when shortly after midnight, an officer aboard the German submarine U2 spotted it. After identifying and targeting the ship, he gave orders to fire. The hit was decisive, striking the ship, far below the water line. The initial blast killed scores of men and seriously wounded many more.
Others, stunned by the explosion were groping in the darkness. Panic and chaos quickly set in! Men were screaming, others crying or franticly trying to get lifeboats off the ship.
Through the pandemonium, four men spread out among the Soldiers, calming the frightened, tending the wounded and guiding the disoriented toward safety. They were four Army chaplains, Lt. George Fox, a Methodist; Lt. Alexander Goode, a Jewish Rabbi; Lt. John Washington, a Roman Catholic Priest; and Lt. Clark Poling, a Dutch Reformed minister.
Quickly and quietly the four chaplains worked to bring calm to the men. As soldiers began to find their way to the deck of the ship, many were still in their underwear, where they were confronted by the cold winds blowing down from the Arctic.
Petty Officer John J. Mahoney, reeling from the cold, headed back towards his cabin. "Where are you going'" a voice of calm in the sea of distressed asked' "To get my gloves," Mahoney replied. "Here, take these," said Rabbi Goode as he handed a pair of gloves to the young officer. "I can't take those gloves," Mahoney replied. "Never mind," the Rabbi responded. "I have two pairs." It was only long after that Mahoney realized that the chaplain never intended to leave the ship.
Once topside, the chaplains opened a storage locker and began distributing life jackets. It was then that Engineer Grady Clark witnessed an astonishing sight. When there were no more lifejackets in the storage room, the chaplains simultaneously removed theirs and gave them to four frightened young men. When giving their life jackets, Rabbi Goode did not call out for a Jew; Father Washington did not call out for a Catholic; nor did Fox or Poling call out for a Protestant. They simply gave their life jackets to the next man in line. One survivor would later call it "It was the finest thing I have seen or hope to see this side of heaven."
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 offering prayers and singing hymns.
Of the 902 men aboard the U.S.A.T. Dorchester, only 230 survived. Before boarding the Dorchester back in January, Chaplain Poling had asked his father to pray for him, "Not for my safe return, that wouldn't be fair. Just pray that I shall do my duty...never be a coward...and have the strength, courage and understanding of men. Just pray that I shall be adequate."
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.
