The Four Chaplains
During World War II, many men showed their courage in several ways. They have been
recognized as heroes. This is a story about the heroes aboard a U.S. ship, the Dorchester.
On February 2, 1943, the Dorchester sailed with 902 men aboard it. The ship had once
been a cruise ship, but it had now been changed into an army transport ship. The
Dorchester was one of three ships which were being escorted from Newfoundland toward an
American base in Greenland. It was escorted by three Coast Guard boats.
Hans Danielsen, the ship’s captain, was concerned and cautious, or very thoughtful,
about the events that were occurring. The Tampa had detected, or heard, the signal of a
submarine. The captain knew he was in dangerous waters. German U-boats were
constantly sailing in the area. He also knew that several ships had already been blasted and
had sunk. When the Dorchester was about 150 miles from its destination, the captain
ordered the men to sleep in their clothing and to keep their life jackets on. Many soldiers
ignored the captain’s order because the life jackets were uncomfortable and hot.
Early the next morning on February 3, at 12:55 a.m., a German officer aboard a
submarine spotted the Dorchester and identified it as one of their enemy ships. The German
officer gave an order to fire torpedoes on the Dorchester. Three torpedoes were fired, and
one hit the ship. It was a deadly hit!
When Captain Danielsen was alerted that the Dorchester was sinking, he gave the
order to abandon, or jump, ship. He knew the Dorchester would slip beneath the icy waters
in a few minutes. Sadly, the hit had knocked out the power and radio contact with the three
escort ships. Fortunately, one boat saw the flash of the explosion. It was able to rescue 97
survivors. Another one rescued another 132 survivors. The third boat continued on route to
escort the remaining two ships.
Aboard the Dorchester, panic and confusion, had set in. The blast killed many men and
even more were seriously wounded. Others were stunned by the explosion and were trying
to find their way in the darkness. Those sleeping without clothing rushed topside where they
were hit by the icy Arctic air. They then thought that death may be waiting for them. Men
jumped from the ship into lifeboats. This caused the boats to become over-crowded and
capsize, or flip over. Other rafts, which were tossed into the Atlantic, drifted away before
soldiers could get into them.
According to eye witnesses, through the hustle and bustle, four army chaplains gave
hope to the men. The chaplains were Lt. George L. Fox, a Methodist minister; Lt. Alexander
D. Goode, a Jewish rabbi; Lt. John P. Washington, a Roman Catholic priest; and Lt. Clark V.
Poling, a Dutch Reformed minister. Quickly and quietly, the four chaplains spread out among
the soldiers. There they tried to calm the frightened, care for the wounded, and guide the
confused to safety.
Wyatt R. Fox, son of Reverend Fox said, “Witnesses of that terrible night remember
hearing the four men offer prayers for the dying and encouragement for those who would
live.”
One witness was Private William B. Bednar, who was later found floating in the water.
He stated, “I could hear men crying, pleading, and praying. I could also hear the chaplains
preaching courage. Their voices were the only thing that kept me going.”
Another sailor, Petty Officer John J. Mahoney, tried to go back to his cabin, but Rabbi
Goode stopped him. When Mahoney explained that he needed his gloves because of the
cold, Rabbi Goode said, “Never mind. I have two pairs.”
The rabbi then gave the petty officer his own gloves. Later Mahoney realized that Rabbi
Goode was not really carrying two pairs of gloves. The rabbi had decided not to leave the
Dorchester.
When most of the men were topside, the chaplains opened a storage locker and began
distributing life jackets. It was then that Engineer Grady Clark witnessed an amazing sight.
When there were no more life jackets, the chaplains removed theirs and gave them to four
young men.
“It was the finest thing I have seen or hope to see this side of heaven,” said John Ladd,
another survivor who saw the chaplains’ acts.
The actions of the four chaplains truly showed deeds of bravery. As the ship went down,
survivors in nearby rafts could see the four chaplains. Their arms were linked, and they were
braced against the slanting deck. Their voices could be heard offering prayers.
Of the 902 men aboard the Dorchester, less than one-third survived. When the news
reached American shores, the nation was stunned, or shocked. The American people were
proud of the heroic conduct of the four chaplains.
Although the four chaplains died aboard that ship, they have received the Distinguished
Service Cross and the Purple Heart. Their family members received the medals for them on
December 19, 1944. They also have received the Special Medal for Heroism. It was created
by Congress and awarded by President Eisenhower on January 18, 1961. This special
medal is one of the highest awards given by Congress.