During the first weekend in February an anniversary will
occur without receiving much attention or recognition. The Story of the Four
Chaplains however, is a fascinating account of unparalleled bravery, dedication
to a higher calling and remarkable examples of true interfaith beliefs and
practices. The story touches on many contemporary themes: the courage and
heroism of our military personnel, the unique role that chaplains play, the
amazing sense of interfaith awareness that was exhibited and finally the
powerful morale boost that their sacrifice offered to the entire country
engaged in a fight for survival.
There was much anxiety aboard the US Army Transport Ship
the Dorchester, sailing from the United
States to Europe. It was early February
1943 and America had been in the Second World War a little over a year. The outcome seemed distant and
uncertain. The nine hundred soldiers
aboard knew that the Dorchester, an old transport, was entering an area in the
northern Atlantic that made them vulnerable to a German submarine attack. This sense of impending doom was heightened
by the fact that they were ordered to sleep in full uniform and life
jackets.
At one o’clock in the morning on the third of February,
their worst nightmare became a reality.
The ship was torpedoed. Some were
immediately killed and injured in the initial blast. Most, had been jarred awake by the
explosion. Smoke was everywhere and the
ship began to list. Within minutes, the
order to abandon ship was given. The
only option was to struggle through the darkness and smoke to the upper deck
and get into a lifeboat.
Into this maelstrom of chaos and fear stood four Army
chaplains, George Fox, Alexander Goode, Clark Poling, and John Washington. They acted with heroism and holiness offering
prayers and words of encouragement to the soldiers, helping them into
lifeboats. The chaplains had on their
life-jackets and survival gear. They
would survive. In their haste and panic, many of the warriors had forgotten their life
jackets and other equipment. Without
these items, they would die within moments in the frigid Atlantic water and
bitter cold. Without any forethought,
the chaplains began giving their life-jackets, gloves, and survival gear to the
frightened men. In doing so, they
ensured their own demise. One of the
lasting memories of the survivors was
the chaplains gathering together, offering final prayers and holding on to each
other as the ship sank beneath the waves. As the Chaplains gave away their gear
they said, “Take this my son, you need
it more than I do.”
Each of the chaplains had their own life accomplishments.
George Fox , a Methodist minister, had served in the First World War as a medic
and had been wounded. receiving a medal
for bravery. He was not required to
serve again in the military. However,
when his son enlisted in the Marines, he signed on with the Army as a
Chaplain. Alexander Goode was a rabbi
and scholar. He had earned his Ph.D.
from Johns Hopkins University and was a successful pulpit rabbi. Prior to entering the chaplaincy he wrote,
“The new world, held together by the bonds of religious idealism, is the goal
of democracy through the ages.” He left
behind a wife and young daughter. Clark
Poling came from a prominent religious family.
His Dutch Reformed Church in Schenectady, New York had told him that his
primary responsibility during the war was to his wife, young son, and their
church. Nonetheless, he volunteered for
service. In a final letter to his
congregation he wrote, “Our goal is not to gratify our pride and human desire,
it is to hold high the light of our Savior in a troubled and confused world.” John Washington’s lifelong goal had been to
become a Roman Catholic priest. He,
along with two brothers, reflected their love of America by serving in the
armed forces. During his last visit
home, he asked everyone to say prayers for him.
He sensed that he was going into a new and dangerous reality.
This incident, which became known as the story of The
Four Chaplains, gave the country an enormous morale boost during the beginning
months of the Second World War. We were fighting enemies who envisioned a world
based on prejudice, hatred, and evil. This story reflected another vision. A
courageous nation devoted to its ideals of freedom and liberty. The soldiers knew that this America was worth
fighting for and if need be, making the ultimate sacrifice for future
generations.
As we acknowledge the 77th anniversary of this event, we
reflect upon its relevance. We recognize and appreciate the unbelievable
sacrifices made by generations of men and women who take an oath to protect
America and its liberties with their lives. The amazingly unselfish actions of
the chaplains speak volumes. Not one of the clerics asked the soldiers rapidly
moving toward the lifeboats their specific faith. A Catholic soldier was saved
by the Rabbi’s lifejacket. A Jewish
Private survived wearing the gloves of the Protestant minister. Where did they
find the courage not to get into the lifeboats with the survivors? Only 200
soldiers survived out of the 900 men. As a Navy chaplain for twenty years, I
have often asked myself what I would do in a similar situation.
For me, the image of the Four Chaplains holding on to
each other and quickly offering their final prayers as the ship sank, is one of
enormous Holiness. These men of faith found God in the grasp of each other. There
was no place for intolerance or prejudice. People of faith should support each
other. We need to learn about the countless historical and religious
connections that we all have. In a moment of pure spirituality, the Four
Chaplains reminded us that we are at our strongest and finest when we put the
needs of others before our own.
Dr. Rabbi Albert I. Slomovitz
Founder-Jewish Christian Discovery Center
