Four Chaplains Memorial Day

 

Four Chaplains Memorial Day commemorates the sacrifices of the four chaplains aboard the SS Dorchester Feb 3, 1943. The Dorchester was torpedoed off the Greenland coast.

Reverend George L. Fox, Reverend Clark V. Poling, Father John P. Washington, and Rabbi Alexander D. Goode met while attending Chaplain's School at Harvard University In November, 1942.

The U.S.A.T. Dorchester was an aging, once luxurious coastal liner converted to transport troops and supplies to the euoropean battlefield. 2 torpedoes hit one after the other tossing men from their bunks with violence. 100 men in the hull of the ship were killed in the explosion. The ship tilted and began to sink. Bedlam ensued as dazed young soldiers screamed in panic.

Survivors stories tell how the chaplains calmed and directed them to life rafts, and life vests. When not enough vests were available the chaplains gave up their own. Petty Officer John J. Mahoney, turned back towards his cabin.

"Where are you going?" came the calm voice of Rabbi Goode

"To get my gloves," The distressed Mahoney replied. The Rabbi handed a pair of gloves to Mahoney who would not have made the trip to his cabin and back in time to safety.

"I can't take those gloves," Mahoney replied.

"Never mind," Rabbi Goode responded. "I have two pairs."

Mahoney later realized that there was no way Rabbi Goode would have been carrying a spare set of gloves. It occured to Mahoney what the fearless Chaplain must have been thinking. Somehow, Rabbi Goode suspected that he would himself, never leave the Dorchester alive.

The calm organization and sacrifice of the chaplains saved countless lives in the 27 minutes it took for the Dorchester to sink. They were last seen together arms linked backs braced back against a railing singing and praying in loud voices.