Posted on 05/23/2002 6:54:39 PM PDT by Stand Watch Listen
"courage is nott a virtue or value among other personal values like loveor fidelity. It is the foundation that underlies and gives reality to all other virtues and personal values"--Rolio May
On the evening of February 2, 19443, the U.S.A.T. Dorchester made its way through frigid Atlantic waters. Once a luxury coastal liner, the 5,649-ton vessel had been converted into an Army transport ship and packed to capacity with 902 servicemen, merchant seamen, and civilian workers.
The Dorchester was one of three ships in the SG-19 convoy headed from Newfoundland toward an American base in Greenland. The convoy was escorted by Coast Guard cutters, Tampa, Escanaba, and Comanche.
Hans J. Danielsen, the Dorchester’s captain, approached the voyage with both caution and concern. Earlier, Tampa’s sonar had detected a submarine. An experienced mariner, Danielsen knew he was in dangerous waters even before receiving that alarming information. German U-boats routinely prowled vital sea lanes, and several ships had already been torpedoed and sunk.
Even though the Dorchester was only 150 miles from its destination, Danielsen ordered the men to keep their life jackets on. Because of the engine’s heat, many bunking deep in the ship’s belly disregarded the order while others found the life jackets too uncomfortable to wear while sleeping.
Shortly before 1 a.m. on February 3rd, the periscope from a German U-223 submarine sliced through the icy Atlantic, catching the Dorchester in its cross hairs. After identifying and targeting the ship, the sub fired its torpedoes. The decisive hit proved deadly—striking the starboard side far below the water line. Captain Danielsen, alerted that the Dorchester was taking on water and rapidly sinking, gave the "abandon ship" order.
Aboard the Dorchester, panic and chaos set in. The initial blast killed scores of men and seriously wounded many more. Others, stunned by the explosion, groped aimlessly in the darkness. Those sleeping in skimpy clothing rushed topside where they were confronted first by a blast of icy arctic air and then by the knowledge that death awaited. Men leaped from the ship into lifeboats, overcrowding them to the point of capsizing. Rafts drifted away before anyone could scramble into them.
In the midst of pandemonium, four Army chaplains brought hope in despair and light in darkness—Lieutenants George L. Fox, a Methodist minister; Rabbi Alexander D. Goode; John P. Washington, a Roman Catholic priest; and Clark V. Poling, a Reformed Church of America minister.
According to witnesses, the four quickly and quietly spread out among the soldiers. They calmed the frightened, tended the wounded, comforted the anxious, and guided the disoriented toward safety. "Witnesses to that terrible night remember hearing the four men offer prayers for the dying and encouragement for those who would live," says Wyatt R. Fox, son of Reverend Fox.
One survivor, Private William B. Bednar, found himself floating in oil-smeared water surrounded by dead bodies and debris. "I could hear men crying, pleading, praying," Bednar recalls. "I could also hear the chaplains preaching courage. Their voices were the only thing that kept me going."
Another sailor, Petty Officer John J. Mahoney, tried to return to his cabin but was stopped by Rabbi Goode. Mahoney, concerned about the cold arctic air, explained he had forgotten his gloves. "Never mind," Goode responded. "I have two pairs."
The rabbi then gave the petty officer his own gloves. In retrospect, Mahoney realized that Rabbi Goode had not conveniently carried two pairs, and that the rabbi had decided he would stay aboard the Dorchester.
With most men topside, the chaplains opened a storage locker and began distributing life jackets. It was then that Engineer Grady Clark witnessed an astonishing sight. When no life jackets remained, one by one, the chaplains removed theirs and gave them to four frightened, desperate young men. "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.
That altruistic action constitutes one of the purest spiritual and ethical acts a person can make. When surrendering their life jackets, Rabbi Goode did not call for a Jew, Father Washington for a Catholic, or Reverends Fox and Poling for Protestants. They simply gave their life jackets to the next man in line.
As the ship sank, survivors in nearby rafts could see the chaplains, arms linked, braced against the slanting deck, their voices raised in prayer.
In less than 27 minutes, the Dorchester slid beneath the Atlantic’s icy water. Tragically, the torpedoes had knocked out power and radio contact to the three escort ships. The Comanche, however, had seen the explosion’s flash and responded, rescuing 97 men. The Escanaba circled the Dorchester and picked up another 132. The Tampa continued on, escorting the two remaining ships.
Of 902 men aboard the Dorchester, 672 died. That death toll marked the nation’s third largest loss at sea during World War II. When news reached American shores, the nation was stunned by the magnitude of the tragedy and deeply moved by the four chaplains’ conduct.
"Valor is a gift," Carl Sandburg once reflected. "Those having it never know for sure whether they have it until the test comes."
That night Reverend Fox, Rabbi Goode, Reverend Poling, and Father Washington passed life’s ultimate test of valor. In doing so, they became an enduring example of extraordinary faith, courage, and selflessness.
On December 19, 1944, Lieutenant General Brehorn B. Somerverall, Commanding General of the Army Services Forces, presented a Distinguished Service Cross and Purple Heart posthumously to the chaplains’ next of kin.Four years later, the United States Postal Service issued a three-cent stamp commemorating their heroic actions. In 1977, The Immortal Chaplains Foundation was established to present an annual "Prize for Humanity" honoring those who "risked all to protect others of a different faith or race".
Honorees include Palestinian Omri Abdel-Halim Al-Jada who drowned in Lake Tiberias while saving the life of Gosha Leftov, a Jewish child; Father Mychal Judge, Franciscan Friar and New York City Fire Department Chaplain. Father Mychal, well known for his compassion and kindness to people of all faiths and ethnic origins, rush to the burning World Trade Center on September 11 to help those in need.
Describing the lasting legacy of the four chaplains, President harry S Truman said their example would stand "through long generations to teach Americans that as men can die heroically as brothers so should they live together in mutual faith and good will"
Thank you.
American Heroes Historical bump...
Related ArticleMemorial Day 2002: The Blood of Patriots
Source: CNSNews.com; Published: May 24, 2002;
Author: Alan uba
When surrendering their life jackets, Rabbi Goode did not call for a Jew, Father Washington for a Catholic, or Reverends Fox and Poling for Protestants. They simply gave their life jackets to the next man in line.
Of all of those who preach brotherly love, equality of opportunity, appreciation of diversity, the benefits of multi-culturalism, and other such altruistic 'love thy neighbor as thyself' philosophies, how many of them are trying to deliver a message through effortless words (sometimes heartfelt; often shallow and self-aggrandizing)? These four men did not want to be recognized by anyone other than their God. And even that recognition was sought only in order to please Him by doing what they knew He would have them do.
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers....1 John 3:16
Probably not many of us, if the need presented itself, would, without a second thought, give up our lives so that others might live. Such behavior is hard for us to define, let alone comprehend. But then most of us aren't cut from the same precious cloth as the four chaplains.
Thanks for the flag, SWL. I'm going to bed tonight feeling awfully proud of four men I never knew (but hope to meet someday. :)
...and some who say that they do Not.
Those four men.....proved God exists...by actually following their faith...with actions.
redrock
When no life jackets remained, one by one, the chaplains removed theirs and gave them to four frightened, desperate young men. "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.
God bless and rest them ... each one.
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