Story of the four chaplains a rendezvous with destiny, february 3, 1943. Nonetheless, first, the video, and then the story of the four chaplains which comes from the four chaplains memorial foundation. Service guidelines the chapel of the four chaplains fax. The saga of four chaplains during world war ii stonington. The four chaplains team consisted of 46 chaplains, 19 volunteer drivers, 10 social workerscounselors, and 64 lay volunteers. Story of the four chaplains jcc association of north america. February 3, 2020 february 3 is four chaplains day in the usa. The chaplains located a supply in a deck locker and passed them out. In these ceremonies, we honor the four chaplains and. Media in category four chaplains the following 9 files are in this category, out of 9 total. The four chaplains remained on the ships slanted aft deck, standing together, arms linked, heads bowed in prayer, as the dorchester slipped beneath the waves. Of the 902 men aboard, 230 were rescued by two coast guard cutters.
It is a quick read and a good one to share with younger generations who are looking for real heroes. The chaplains gave their life jackets to soldiers without them. On february 3, 1943, the usat dorchester, an old coastal steamer quickly pressed into military service, was slowly making her way through those waters bound for greenland. Army transport dorchester was one of three ships in a convoy, moving across the atlantic from newfoundland to an american base in greenland. Dorchester left new york on january 23, 1943, carrying 4 chaplains and about 900 others as a part of convoy of three ships. The one ray of hope in this great tragedy was the four chaplains.
George fox, rabbi alexander goode, roman catholic father john washington and reformed church in america minister clark poling. A four chaplains card signed by harry truman in 1960. What these four have in common is that they were all chaplains. The story of the four chaplains was included in our reading book in 8th grade. View all hotels near the chapel of four chaplains on tripadvisor. Now, just 27 minutes after the torpedo struck, the ship was about to go down.
The story of the four chaplains the american legions burnpit. My grandfather was one of the men who lost their lives when this ship sank. On february 3, 1943, the troopship ss dorchester was in a convoy bound for greenland when it was torpedoed and sunk by a german uboat. The medal was presented to the four chaplains next of kin on 18 january 1961 at fort myer, virginia, by secretary of the army wilber m. Of the 902 soldiers, navy armed guard, ships crew and civilian passengers on board the. The chapel of four chaplains was built as an interfaith memorial and sanctuary for brotherhood. Carothers, logos international, 1972 authors collection. In 1943, four army chaplains of different faiths banded together to save military and civilian personnel aboard the sinking troop ship usat dorchester. A british report had stated that survival would be impossible after onehalf hour in such cold waters, but some men. As water gushed through a hole made by a german torpedo, four chaplainsmembers of different faiths but linked by bonds of friendship and devotionmoved quietly. I found dan kurzmans written account to be historically acurate. Washington, and reformed church in america minister clark v. The four chaplains, also sometimes referred to as the immortal chaplains, were four united states army chaplains who gave their lives to save other civilian and military personnel during the sinking of the troop ship usat dorchester on february 3, 1943, during world war ii.
Four chaplains day in the usa date in the current year. Remembering the four chaplains the american legion. Dorchester bound for greenland, which was attacked and. The four chaplains sermon by paul tambrino, deuteronomy 10. As national chaplin of the sons of the american legion, i encourage all squadron, district and detachment chaplains to commemorate the anniversary on the first sunday in february, four chaplains sunday. Feb 3, 20 the four chaplains are remembered for comforting and ministering to the 902 servicemen and civilians when their transport boat, the dorchester, was attacked on the evening of feb. University of cincinnati alum, rabbi goode, is immortal chaplain. Four chaplains aboard the ship from different denominations and faiths gave life jackets to sailors and provided comfort. Poling gave up their life jackets on a sinking army transport in the north atlantic so that others might live. There is now a four chaplains memorial foundation that seeks to further the cause of unity without uniformity, a unique way of explaining the position of faithspecific chaplains in an interfaith community. The freighter rose and fell sluggishly at her pier, with the dark waves slapping at her sides. The story of the four chaplains the american legions.
Perhaps even fewer would know the story of jewish chaplain alexander goode who died that night, if it would not be for a single man, a catholic. In the midst of world war ii, the dorchester, moving troops from america to europe, was approaching greenland when it was torpedoed by a german submarine. This book is about the sinking of the ship the uss dorchester during world war ii. Dorchester by john brinsfield, january 28, 2014 washington jan. Thousands of four chaplains interfaith memorial services will be held across the nation on or near february 3rd. The garish new england night was full of shadows and the sound of winches, screeching cranes, and the shuffling cadence of weary troops. Feb 03, 2012 the four chaplains, also sometimes referred to as the immortal chaplains, were four united states army chaplains who gave their lives to save other civilian and military personnel during the. It was torpedoed by german submarine u223 off newfoundland at 12. The four immortal chaplains jewish american society for. Dec 08, 2018 the four chaplains were four united states army chaplains who gave their lives to save other soldiers during the sinking of the usat dorchester during world war ii. Of the 902 soldiers, navy armed guard, ships crew and civilian passengers on board the dorchester, only 230 survived. Truman arrived on the campus of temple university to dedicate the chapel of the four chaplains we have been telling the story of the four chaplains and encouraging selfless service and interfaith.
Courtesy of the chapel of the four chaplains u233 survived the day, and continued trolling for allied ships until march 30, 1944, when it was sunk by depth charges in the mediterranean north of palermo, italy, by two british destroyers and two escort destroyers. On february 15, 2001, the chapel of the four chaplains moved to 1201 constitution avenue, philadelphia, pa. The four chaplains, also referred to as the immortal chaplains or the dorchester chaplains, were four world war ii chaplains who gave their lives to save other civilian and military personnel as the troop ship ss dorchester sank on february 3, 1943. The four chaplains, also referred to as the immortal chaplains or the dorchester chaplains, were four united states army chaplains who gave their lives to.
About the chapel four chaplains memorial foundation. In 1943, four young army chaplains joined 900 raw recruits who were headed for battle in nazioccupied europe on the u. Guidelines for honoring the four chaplains the american. The dorchester was a civilian liner converted for military service in world war ii as a war shipping administration troop transport. Remembering the four chaplains and their ultimate sacrifice the. It was also the occasion of an astounding feat of heroismand faith. Inspiring stories from military chaplains 1 chapters updated may, 2015 06. The sinking of the dorchester in the icy waters off greenland shor. The chaplains medal for heroism, also called the chaplains medal of honor and the four chaplains medal, authorized by congress in 1960, commemorates the actions of the four chaplains.
The four chaplains memorial foundation in philadelphia maintains the chapel of the four chaplains, which since the late 1940s has been telling the story of the four chaplains and encouraging selfless sacrifice and interfaith cooperation. All four were posthumously awarded the purple heart and. I was especially intriqued reading the back story of the four chaplains who went down with the ship. On february 3, 1943, the usat dorchester, an old coastal steamer quickly pressed into military service, was slowly making. It was, an eyewitness later recalled, the finest thing i have ever seen or hope to see this side of heaven. On february 15, 2001, the chapel of the four chaplains moved to 1201 constitution avenue, philadelphia, pa 19112 the site of a 1942 world war ii navy chapel. When the number of vests proved inadequate, the chaplains removed their own and gave them to. Over the next 65 years, books, television shows, and radio documentaries told the chaplains story. Based out of philadelphia, pa, the four chaplains memorial foundations mission is to tell the story of the four chaplains to promote interfaith cooperation. This feature is debuting on february 3, which is four chaplains day, commemorating a story of heroism on a doomed ship during world war ii. In the midst of the confusion, the ships four chaplains lieutenants george l. The dorchester was a civilian liner converted for military service in world war ii as a war. Dorchester by ken wales 20010901 jan 1, 1800 hardcover.
Jun 16, 2014 this video is about the four chaplains who died on the dorchester in the north atlantic in 1943 and the example they set. In february, 1943 an american ship, dorchester, was torpedoed and was sinking. The four chaplains interfaith action at work youtube. These selfsacrificing words during our war for independence set the standard for american heroism, as nathan hale swung from the british gallows after his capture as an american spy behind enemy lines. The sinking of the dorchester in the icy waters off greenland shortly after midnight on february 3, 1942, was one of the worst sea disasters of world war ii. The four chaplains, also referred to as the immortal chaplains or the dorchester chaplains. Dorchester was crowded to capacity, carrying 902 service men, merchant seamen and civilian workers.
The chaplains prayer book this booklet is a collection of invocations. The chapel of four chaplains, philadelphia tripadvisor. The four immortal chaplains and the sinking of the dorchester in world war ii 9780812966091. Jan 28, 2014 april 27, 2020 chaplains ease fears, delivers message during trying times april 22, 2020 deputy chief of chaplains for the army national guard chaplaincy history. Service guidelines the chapel of the four chaplains fax 215. Resigned to losing consciousness and freezing to death shortly thereafter, his thoughts turned to the courageous and selfless acts of the four army chaplains he. Feb 03, 20 four military chaplains were on board the world war ii military transport ship s. The four immortal chaplains chaplains hill, arlington national cemetery by jerry klinger freedom is a work in progress william rabinowitz too few christians and jews know the story today. During the voyage, a torpedo from a german submarine ripped through the hull of the ship which began to descend rapidly into the freezing waters of the north atlantic. Among the dead were four us army chaplains who comforted the living and the dying and helped soldiers board lifeboats and rafts. In a time of crisis, these immortal chaplains demonstrated the common foundation of their religions.
This day commemorates the events of february 3, 1943, when the troop ship usat dorchester sank. The saga of the four chaplains it was known as torpedo junction, the uboat infested icy waters of the north atlantic during world war il. The story of the four chaplains has become a symbol of the serve all and interfaith roles of the us military chaplaincy. As water gushed through a hole made by a german torpedo, four chaplains members of different faiths but linked by bonds of friendship and devotionmoved quietly. Since 1951, the chapel of four chaplains has spread the message of interfaith cooperation and selfless service, touching the lives of thousands of people across this great country. It is a story that has always stuck in my memory and i was glad to find even a fictionalized account of the sacrifice of these brave men. Chaplains calendar 6 service to god and country 7 how to get started 9 four chaplains sunday 11 story of the four chaplains 11 suggestions for a four chaplains service 14 the chapel of four chaplains 20 visitation 23. Within 20 minutes of being hit, the converted coastal liner. Dorchester when it was sunk by a german torpedo on february 3, 1943.
The sacrifice of the four chaplains god and country. When the bin was empty, they pulled off their own and made others put them on. The four chaplains quickly moved among the bewildered men, calming them, directing them to life rafts, urging them to escape the doomed ship. In these ceremonies, we honor the four chaplains and ensure their legacy of brotherhood and selfless service. Military chaplains provide support and perspective to those serving our country in times of severe stress. Their example calmed down the ships men when the electrical system failed. The four chaplains whose lives and backgrounds, including the decisions that led them to going off to war as chaplains, are detailed in the book worked heroically to save it is the story of four wwii chaplains 2 protestant ministers, a catholic priest, and a jewish rabbi on the u. The four chaplains chaplain, army chaplain, chaplain quotes.
Books byabout chaplains forward edge of the battle area, a chaplains story by chaplain curt bowers, beacon hill press of kansas city, 1987 authors collection. They helped other soldiers board lifeboats and gave up their own life jackets when the supply ran out. In 1988, february 3 was established by a unanimous act of congress as an annual four chaplains day. And chaplains find their own lives enriched working with clergy and soldiers of different faiths. Since the late 1940s the chapel of the four chaplains has been telling the story of the four chaplains and encouraging selfless sacrifice and interfaith cooperation. The four chaplains were methodist minister george l. A new jersey church honors the chaplains who gave their life vests to others as their military transport ship was sinking 75 years ago in world. Mar 02, 2012 the saga of four chaplains during world war ii the remarkable heroism and interfaith cooperation of the four chaplainsone of whom has strong connecticut connectionscontinues to move a nation. A novel based on the true wwii story of the four chaplains and the u. The four chaplains locked arms together and braced against the deck with its heavy starboard list. A onetime only posthumous special medal for heroism was authorized by congress and awarded to the four chaplains by president eisenhower on january 18, 1961.