THE STORY OF THE FOUR CHAPLAINS
The Four Chaplains were of four different faiths, Rev. George L.
Fox, Methodist, Rabbi Alexander D. Goode, Jewish, Rev. Clark V. Poling, Dutch
Reformed Church and Father John P. Washington, a Catholic Priest, each of whom
gave up his precious life jacket to others on February 3, 1943, when an enemy
submarine torpedoed the U.S.A.T. Dorchester in the chilly Atlantic Ocean about
2 A.M.
When the U.S.A.T. Dorchester was struck amidships, all lights and
power went out. The Four Chaplains went about the ship trying to comfort and
calm the men, distributing life jackets as far as they would go and directing
men to lifeboats. When all the life jackets had been passed out, a soldier was
heard to say, "Padre, I have no life jacket and I do not know how to
swim." The Chaplain gave up his own life jacket. As he was doing so, the
other three Chaplains gave up their life jackets to others. Another serviceman was heard to say,
"Rabbi, I have no gloves, and my hands are cold" The Rabbi said,
“here take mine.” In all, the Four Chaplains were credited with saving the
lives of over two hundred men.
The Murray-Reynolds Post 76 American Legion,
North Haven, Connecticut will hold a Four Chaplains Memorial Service on Thursday
evening, February 9, 2012 at 7 P.M at the Mildred Wakeley Recreation
Hall, 5 Linsley St., North Haven, Connecticut