Next Monday, Feb. 3, is an important day for our military, veterans, and especially for those who have gone to war and have experienced the terror, anxiety, fear of the what lies ahead. For many, the military chaplains play a huge roll in helping to face those emotions and accomplish their missions. 

On Feb. 3, we remember the four chaplains who gave their lives to save the soldiers and sailors who were heading off to World War II on board the USAT Dorchester.  The Dorchester left New York City on Jan. 23, 1943 with 902 soldiers and crew.  Amongst the crew were Chaplain John Washington, a Catholic priest, Alexander Goode, a Jewish rabbi, George Fox, a Methodist, Clark Poling, a Dutch Reformist.  Just after midnight on Feb. 3, 150 miles from Greenland, a German U-Boat torpedoes the Dorchester and the ship immediately started to sink. The crew scrambled to leave the ship grabbing life jackets as they went, some making it to the life boats, others jumped into the 34 degrees water. When the last soldiers were attempting to leave the ship, they ran out of life jackets. Each of the four chaplains took off their life jackets and gave them to the soldiers.One of the ship crew sailors was about to go back to get gloves he left behind but knowing that wouldn’t make it back, Rabbi Goode took his gloves off and gave it to the sailor. An Army article reporting on the event stated: “It was then that Engineer Grady Clark witnessed an astonishing sight. When there were no more life jackets in the storage room, the chaplains simultaneously removed theirs and gave them to four frightened young men. When giving their life jackets, Rabbi Goode did not call out for a Jew; Father Washington did not call out for a Catholic; nor did Fox or Poling call out for a Protestant. They simply gave their life jackets to the next man in line. One survivor would later say, 'It was the finest thing I have seen or hope to see this side of heaven.'"

One of the survivors reported seeing the four chaplains on the stern of the ship, as it was sinking below the seas, standing arm and arm offering prayers and singing hymns. Of the 902 on board, 230 survived, rescued by the USCGC Escanaba.  Before leaving port, Chaplain Poling had asked his father to pray for him, "Not for my safe return, that wouldn't be fair. Just pray that I shall do my duty ... never be a coward ... and have the strength, courage and understanding of men. Just pray that I shall be adequate." 

On Monday, Feb. 3, remember the four chaplains who put aside their different beliefs, who stood together and gave their lives to those soldiers and sailors and are an inspiration to all. On Jan. 18, 1961, Congress authorized and the President awarded posthumously a Special Medal for Heroism.  It was never awarded before and will never be again.