On Memorial Day: remembering the “Four Chaplains”

The Deacon's Bench ^ | May 30, 2011 | Greg Kendra

[Alex Murphy]

A reader alerted me to this item in the Huffington Post, recalling the so-called “Immortal Chaplains” who went down with the USAT Dorchester in 1943.

As Wikipedia notes:

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 during World War II. They helped other soldiers board lifeboats and gave up their own life jackets when the supply ran out. The chaplains joined arms, said prayers, and sang hymns as they went down with the ship.

The four men were relatively new chaplains, who all held the rank of lieutenant. They included Methodist Reverend George L. Fox, Rabbi Alexander D. Goode, Roman Catholic Priest John P. Washington and Reformed Church in America Reverend Clark V. Poling. Their backgrounds, personalities, and faiths were different, although Goode, Poling and Washington had all served as leaders in the Boy Scouts of America.^[1] They would meet at the Army Chaplains School at Harvard University, where they would prepare for assignments in the European theater, sailing onboard USAT Dorchester to report to their new assignments.

But it turns out only three of the four now have a memorial at Arlington:

All four chaplains died together after giving their lifejackets to save others on board. Survivors of the attack witnessed the four praying together as the ship went down in the icy waters. Yet the names of only three of these fallen heroes are presently memorialized on Chaplain’s Hill at Arlington National Cemetery. In fact, none of the 13 Jewish chaplains who have died in service to our country are listed on the three chaplains’ monuments in our nation’s most sacred resting place.

The author goes on to describe the efforts to have Rabbi Goode’s name added to Chaplain’s Hill — along with other Jewish chaplains.  Read the rest. This is an oversight — and an injustice — that should be corrected.

May all those who have served so selflessly rest in peace.  And may we never forget what they gave for us.

[Alex Murphy]

All four chaplains died together after giving their lifejackets to save others on board. Survivors of the attack witnessed the four praying together as the ship went down in the icy waters. Yet the names of only three of these fallen heroes are presently memorialized on Chaplain’s Hill at Arlington National Cemetery. In fact, none of the 13 Jewish chaplains who have died in service to our country are listed on the three chaplains’ monuments in our nation’s most sacred resting place....

....May all those who have served so selflessly rest in peace. And may we never forget what they gave for us.

Thank you, veterans. Thank you, veterans' wives and families. We who did not serve are humbled by your presence among us. We stand in honor of those who died for our country, and for our freedoms. I pray that your sacrifices not be forgotten.

Related threads:
Heroism of 4 chaplains during sinking of WWII ship inspires today's corps
The FReeper Foxhole Remembers The Four Chaplains(2/2/1943) - Mar 24th, 2004

[PghBaldy]

There is a moving painting of them which is in the Jewish Community Center of Pittsburgh, PA. There is a picture at this link: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08034/854040-85.stm

[Cronos]

They included Methodist Reverend George L. Fox, Rabbi Alexander D. Goode, Roman Catholic Priest John P. Washington and Reformed Church in America Reverend Clark V. Poling.

a case of unity for a noble cause.

Any idea why the Rabbis names were left out?

[freedumb2003]

I read all the links — and with every word I was drawn into a world of heroism that is almost incomprehensible to me.

This was the heroism that faith creates.

That the 4th Chaplain is not recognized and his heroism celebrated is a travesty.

I am now drafting a letter to my congressfolk — if we all do so we should be able to see this ship righted (I prefer to think of this as a steering error and not just damnfool stupidity and prejudice).

I really appreciate your pointing this out.

BTT — everyone can help! There is no personal cost but our national soul to gin.

[freedumb2003]

When Huffpo shames us, that is shame indeed.

I just made a permanent calendar entry for Feb 3 to remember these gallant men of faith. How I will commemorate them, I do not yet know. But I want it to be significant — somehow passing on to others good deeds in the name of these men:

George L. Fox
Alexander D. Goode
Clark V. Poling
John P. Washington

Rabbi Goode shall be in my prayers especially. But he shall soon enough be with his fellows, I am sure.

[kearnyirish2]

If you’re ever in Kearny NJ, stop by St. Stephen’s Church to see a great plaque for Rev. John Washington on the rear wall of the Church; he was a parish priest there before the war. During the sexual assault crisis, I’d always remind people that there were other priests besides the homosexual predators - there were always priests like Father John Washington.

[kaylar]

I recommend Thornton's Sea of Glory , about the Four Chaplains. It's out of print, but pretty easy to pick up on the used book sites. There has been a more recent book published on the Four; it's Kurzman's No Greater Glory. I haven't read it, but it has 5/5 stars out of 19 reviews on Amazon. There is also a novel with (confusingly) the same title as the Thornton book about the Immortal Four, by Ken Wales. It's also getting good reviews....But it is a novel, not a factual recounting.