COOL DUDES I ADMirE: THE FOUR CHAPLAINS

painting of the four chaplains as the dorchester sinks, courtesy of u.s. chaplain center

On Feb. 3, 1943, the U.S. Army Transport Dorchester was one of three ships in a convoy, moving across the Atlantic from Newfoundland to an American base in Greenland. A converted luxury liner, the Dorchester was crowded to capacity, carrying 902 servicemen, merchant seamen and civilian workers.

It was only 150 miles from its destination when shortly after midnight, an officer aboard the German submarine U2 spotted it. After identifying and targeting the ship, he gave orders to fire.

The hit was decisive, striking the ship, far below the water line. The initial blast killed scores of men and seriously wounded many more.

Through the chaos, four Army chaplains, Lt. George Fox, Lt. Alexander Goode, Lt. John Washington, and Lt. Clark Poling, began distributing life jackets.

When there were no more lifejackets in the storage room, the chaplains simultaneously removed theirs and gave them to four frightened young men.

Of the 902 men aboard the U.S.A.T. Dorchester, only 230 survived.

Although the Distinguished Service Cross and Purple Heart were later awarded posthumously, Congress wished to confer the Medal of Honor but was blocked by the stringent requirements which required heroism performed under fire.

So a posthumous Special Medal for Heroism, The Four Chaplains' Medal, was authorized by Congress and awarded by the President on January 18, 1961.