I just missed a National Holiday. February 3rd came and went just like any other day despite the unanimous resolution of the American Congress in 1988.Feb. 3, 1943, when one of the most remarkable and inspiring acts of heroism in the history of warfare took place during World War II. It is a day to honor the heroism of the Four Chaplains, who selflessly gave their lives “that others may live.”
Who were they?
All four met while preparing to serve their fellow soldiers involved in the conflict of World War II. They attended Chaplain's School at Harvard University in November of 1942. Though different, ages they became like brothers united in a common resolve.
Rev. Clark V. Poling was ministering in New York. Preaching was in the family, and his father served in World War I. First determined to serve as a common soldier, his father convinced him that a chaplain was no second rate soldier. In he had to outstrip the others in bravery, fighting alongside his comrades armed not with a gun but with the Word of God.
Rabbi Alexander Goode also followed his father's footsteps in ministry. Starting in Indiana, he later moved on to Pennsylvania where he joined the National Guard. After Pearl Harbor, spurred on by the urgent need, he became an army chaplain.
Mild mannered Fr. John P. Washington, glasses and all, looked more like the intellectual than the soldier. No one would have recognized him as the tough lad who organized street gangs in New Jersey turned priest. He belonged to a large Irish immigrant family, and his exterior covered an interior strength and determination to match any other.
What did they do?
In late January 1943, the U.S.A.T. Dorchester set out from New York as part of the huge people moving campaign of World War II. No one could have foreseen or prepared for the needs to move 16 million men and women in the monumental effort to battle this war.
The ship had been a luxury liner, and now she was well past her heyday. She headed out to see overburdened with 902 as she made her way to an Army Base in Greenland.
Finally within 150 miles of her destination and just about 10 days at sea, alarming news on the radar. A U-Boat had been sighted. They only hoped to make it through that final night as the daylight hours would bring welcome aircover.
It wasn't to be, and at about 1 am, one torpedo ripped through the hull and then another. It was utter chaos below and on deck. Men were rushing for life jackets, for lifeboats, and just trying to get off the Dorchester safely before she went under. She was going down fast.
Mild mannered Fr. John P. Washington, glasses and all, looked more like the intellectual than the soldier. No one would have recognized him as the tough lad who organized street gangs in New Jersey turned priest. He belonged to a large Irish immigrant family, and his exterior covered an interior strength and determination to match any other.
Rev. George Fox was considerably older and joined the same time his son joined the Marine Corps. He was no stranger to battle, and had been awarded many medals as a medical assistant in World War I. He had managed to enter at 17, but this time he wasn't there to heal physical wounds but to attend to the soul.
What did they do?
In late January 1943, the U.S.A.T. Dorchester set out from New York as part of the huge people moving campaign of World War II. No one could have foreseen or prepared for the needs to move 16 million men and women in the monumental effort to battle this war.
The ship had been a luxury liner, and now she was well past her heyday. She headed out to see overburdened with 902 as she made her way to an Army Base in Greenland.
Finally within 150 miles of her destination and just about 10 days at sea, alarming news on the radar. A U-Boat had been sighted. They only hoped to make it through that final night as the daylight hours would bring welcome aircover.
It wasn't to be, and at about 1 am, one torpedo ripped through the hull and then another. It was utter chaos below and on deck. Men were rushing for life jackets, for lifeboats, and just trying to get off the Dorchester safely before she went under. She was going down fast.
The chaplains organized things below before rushing on deck to pass out life jackets, guide people into boats, and encourage the men. Then as the supply of jackets diminished before the unabating flow of men, something incredible happened. These chaplains showed the ultimate act of self-giving and heroism.
Each one removed his own jacket knowing full well what it would mean and handed it to those around them. They gave absolutely everything to save these men to whom they had dedicated their lives. They held nothing back.
As the ship slipped beneath the frigid Atlantic only 27 short minutes later, these four men could be seen supporting each other against the rail, arms linked. Their calm, strong voices pierced the bedlam around, "Our Father, which art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done." "Shma Yisroel Adonai Elohenu Adonai Echod."
For more information:
Each one removed his own jacket knowing full well what it would mean and handed it to those around them. They gave absolutely everything to save these men to whom they had dedicated their lives. They held nothing back.
As the ship slipped beneath the frigid Atlantic only 27 short minutes later, these four men could be seen supporting each other against the rail, arms linked. Their calm, strong voices pierced the bedlam around, "Our Father, which art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done." "Shma Yisroel Adonai Elohenu Adonai Echod."
For more information:
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