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W Leggett
Today marks the seventy-ninth anniversary of one of the most tragic yet uplifting accounts in World War II history.
On February 3rd, 1943, the USAT Dorchester was struck by a torpedo. On board were 902 Officers, servicemen, and civilian workers among them were four chaplains: Lt. George L. Fox, Methodist; Lt. Alexander D. Goode, Jewish; Lt. John P. Washington, Catholic; and Lt. Clark V. Poling Reformed.
The Dorchester would never make it to its destination to the U.S. Army base in Greenland – but the story of the Four Chaplains will stand the test of time. It is one of ultimate brotherhood – one of four men making the extreme sacrifice and leaving an impression of faith and solidarity in the face of danger and death.
This stained glass artwork portraying the Four Chaplains is currently in the Chapel at the Pentagon
In late January 1943, the Dorchester entered what was known as Torpedo Junction, the U-boat infested, icy water of the North Atlantic during World War II. On February 2, the presence of a submarine was detected, however its position was not located.
Down in the old converted cruise ship's stifling hold, the four U.S. Army chaplains circulated among the frightened young men, some lying wide-eyed in their bunks, others nervously playing cards or shooting dice. Chatting with the troops, the chaplains eased tensions, calmed fears and passed out soda crackers to alleviate seasickness.
The Troops anxiously looked forward to reaching Greenland the next day. They knew that U-boats prowled their ship's course. They did not know that by morning nearly three-fourths of them would be dead… Nor did they know the magnificent way in which these four chaplains would minister to them.
At 12:55 AM the torpedo struck. The missile exploded in the boiler room, destroying the electric supply and releasing suffocating clouds of steam and ammonia gas.
The four chaplains quickly moved among bewildered men, calming them, directing them to life rafts, urging them to escape the doomed ship. Many had forgotten their life jackets. The chaplains located a supply in a deck locker and passed them out. When the bin was empty they pulled off their own and made others put them on.
Petty Officer John J. Mahoney tried to reenter his cabin but was stopped by Rabbi Goode. Mahoney, concerned about the cold arctic air, explained he had forgotten his gloves. "Never mind," Goode responded. "I have two pairs." The Rabbi then gave the petty officer his own gloves. In retrospect, Mahoney realized that Rabbi Goode was not conveniently carrying two pairs of gloves and that the rabbi had decided not to leave the Dorchester.
The four chaplains remained on the ship's slanted aft deck, standing together, arms linked, heads bowed in prayer, as the Dorchester slipped beneath the waves.
In November of 2003, after the 50th anniversary of the Dorchester sinking, the AVC honored the Four Chaplains with a church service in Washington, D.C's Church of the Epiphany. Attending were more than 100 active duty chaplains from the U.S. Navy, Army and Air Force.
A panel on the Four Chaplains was also held during the AVC's annual conference. Family members of the Four Chaplains – including Rabbi Goode's widow – spoke to the group were also honored at that year's awards banquet.
Thanks to the support of great patriots like you, the American Veterans Center was able to create a radio documentary on the Four Chaplains to honor these four men who gave of themselves for others. It is titled, "No Greater Love.
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KEEP THEM COMING!!! 
Be SAFE and WARM! 
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