81: 4 Chaplains' Day

Today is Four Chaplains’ Day!

81 years ago today (February 3, 1943) a German Submarine torpedoed the USAT Dorchester in the Atlantic Ocean.

Aboard where Four Military Chaplains: Reverend George L. Fox of the Methodist Faith, Jewish Rabbi Alexander D. Goode, Father John P. Washington of the Catholic Faith and Reverend Clark V. Poling from the Dutch Reformed Church.

Many witnesses remember their courage, support, and prayers for the many distressed people onboard. They offered their life jackets to four people in need and as a consequence had to remain on the sinking ship, comforted only by the thought of their actions and the fact that they were going to meet their Maker soon.

Of the 904 People on-board the Dorchester 674 People were killed (including the Four Chaplains.)

In recognition of their valor and guided by non-discrimination against anyone based on their religion, the Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation was set up as a way of promoting interfaith unity and a spirit of service among individuals.

The U.S. Government awarded them the Purple Heart and Distinguished Service Cross medals in 1944. They were also nominated for the highest Military Honor, the Medal of Honor, but because they had not engaged in active combat with the enemy, they did not qualify for it. Congress, therefore, created a ‘Special Medal for Heroism’ as an honorable substitute.

The U.S. Postal Service issued a Commemorative Stamp in honor of the four chaplains in 1948, just five years after their death, which is very rare.

An interfaith Chapel was established President Truman instituted The Chapel of the Four Chaplains in the basement of Grace Baptist Church, Philadelphia, in 1951.