‘Four Chaplains’ remembered
American Legion, Post 174, of Willits sponsors memorial service
The American Legion, Post 174, of Willits sponsored the second annual Four Chaplains Memorial service on Feb. 1. It was hosted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Willits.
This service commemorated the sacrifice of four newly minted military chaplains in World War II. The ceremony has been an annual event nationwide for decades.
In the very early morning on the 3rd of February, 1943, the USAT Dorchester, carrying a full complement of 902 servicemen, merchant seamen and civilian workers, was torpedoed by a German submarine 150 miles from its destination in Greenland. It only took 20 minutes to sink after being struck by a torpedo.
The four chaplains were Lt. Alexander Goode, a rabbi; Lt. George Fox, a Methodist minister; Lt. Clark Poling, a Dutch Reformed minister; and Lt. John Washington, a Roman Catholic priest.
The chaplains helped the crew maintain order on the sinking ship by issuing life jackets and gloves to the panicking servicemen. They also prayed with the wounded and dying servicemembers to help keep the atmosphere calmer. Ultimately, they gave up their own life jackets and gloves to those without, leading to their deaths with the sinking of the ship.
A posthumous Special Medal for Heroism was authorized by Congress and awarded by President Dwight Eisenhower on Jan. 18, 1961.
“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’ selfless act.
From the Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation in Pennsylvania, these comments: “Ladd’s response is understandable. The altruistic action of the four chaplains constitutes one of the purest spiritual and ethical acts a person can make. 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 the Reverends Fox and Poling call out for a Protestant. They simply gave their life jackets to the next man in line.
“As the ship went down, survivors in nearby rafts could see the four chaplains— arms linked and braced against the slanting deck. Their voices could also be heard offering prayers.”
Members of Post 174 commented, “We wanted the public to remember with us, the American Legion, Post 174, this selfless sacrifice of these chaplains and commit to serving our community with the same spirit of devotion.”
Judge Barry M. Sax, military historian, especially researching chaplains, at an address at the WWII Museum in New Orleans had this to say.
“The history is an amazing story. The story contin
ues to evolve and the more we get into the story, and the more we talk, the more people say, “I know something about this. We’re accumulating more and more documents. The National Archives is there …
“This is a moment in history that is past but not past…what is more important is what’s happening today. The legacy of these four men — interfaith in action, brotherhood, selfsacrifice, courage — is a legacy that is so vibrant that it has attracted a lot of my energy. We’re teaching this story to a lot of young people. It’s important that youth learn the rationale, the reason these chaplains did what they did, what the legacy is, so these kids will grow up knowing the value of honor, duty, country, dignity, and a respect for the rights of others. These chaplains are an example of that.”
Others participating in the event were Alex and Sophie Gassen, who led the Pledge of Allegiance, and lit a candle as each chaplain’s story was read; Bishop Dale Abono, pastor of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Willits focused on the chaplains’ sacrificial service; introductory remarks by Legion Post Commander Robert Ireland told the story of the Four Chaplains; The Rt. Rev. Rosemary Landry, pastor of Willits United Methodist Church, read the biography of Chaplain (1st Lt.) George L. Fox, Methodist chaplain, who perished that fateful night.
Dvora Stern LCSW, Willits, read the biography of Chaplain (1st Lt.) Alexander D. Goode, a Jewish rabbi. She also spoke about growing up as a child whose parents and other relatives were survivors of the Holocaust.
Retired Judge James F. King shared about the Roman Catholic Chaplain (1st Lt.) Johnny P. Washington. The Rev. Alan Klier, pastor of Grace Community Church-Willits, spoke about Dutch Reformed Chaplain (1st Lt.) Clark V. Poling.
After a moment of silence, “Taps” was played by Zack Ireland, a member of Sons of American Legion. Then the Colors were retired.
Liz Roripaugh played the piano, and Carole Hester led the singing.