Sons of the American Legion Sq 143 Four Chaplains Ceremony

Sons of the American Legion Sq 143 presented the Four Chaplains Ceremony in honor of the 4 Army Chaplains that gave their lives at sea so  others might live. It’s been 75 years since the U.S. Army Transport Dorchester was hit by German submarine U-223 while transporting 902 servicemen, merchant seamen and civilian workers to Greenland. On Feb. 3, 1943. four Army chaplains on board gave their lives to save others. The ship was hit below the water line with a torpedo, initially killing and wounding many men on board. Lt. George Fox, a Methodist; Lt. Alexander Goode, a Jewish Rabbi; Lt. Clark Poling, a Dutch Reformed minister; and Lt. John Washington, a Roman Catholic Priest, acted quickly to calm the men and distribute life jackets. When they ran out of life jackets, the four chaplains removed their own and gave them away as well. As the ship sank, the chaplains could be seen, arms linked, on the deck, and heard, singing hymns and offering prayers. Of the 902 servicemen, seamen and civilian workers, only 235 survived.

The American Legion Unit 143 Auxiliary provided refreshments for all after the ceremony.

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