We often think of war heroes as people who defy odds and evade the personal dangers of exploding mortar rounds and deadly bullets to take out a machine gun nest, or retrieve a wounded buddy. Fortunately, we have had many fighting men of that caliber.
Non-combatants who unselfishly sacrificed themselves for others in a cause bigger than them have also blessed us. One such event occurred on Feb. 3, 1943.
The S.S. Dorchester, a troop ship carrying 900 soldiers and its crew, was steaming towards Greenland in the North Atlantic. Early in the morning, a German U-Boat torpedoed the Dorchester. Among the 900 soldiers, there were four U.S. Army chaplains on their way to assigned units. The eventual destination for these troops was most likely England, where a build up and marshaling was occurring for the eventual invasion of Europe.
In the chaos following the torpedo strike, the chaplains assumed their pastoral duties and helped the disoriented and wounded in the darken ship to lifeboats. They passed out life jackets to others. When there were no more life jackets left, they took off theirs and gave them to potential survivors.
This sacrificial act was witnessed by many of the survivors, who also saw the chaplains with linked arms praying and singing hymns at the aft railing as the Dorchester slipped below the waves.
Six hundred and seventy-two Americans died that morning. Four U.S. Army chaplains led them through the Gates of Glory. The Rev. George Fox was a Methodist minister, Rabbi Alexander Goode was a Jewish rabbi, the Rev. Clark Poling was a Dutch Reformed minister and Father John Washington was a Catholic priest.
Washington was born in Newark and attended Seton Hall Prep and Seton Hall University. He completed his divinity studies at the Immaculate Conception Seminary in Darlington. After his ordination his first parish assignment was at Saint Genevieve’s Church in Elizabeth.
There are numerous murals, memorials and tributes to the chaplains around the country.
In 1988, Congress declared that Feb. 3 each year would be Four Chaplains Memorial Day and federal flags would be flown at half-staff to honor these men.
The acts of these men of faith was not something they had to discuss at a meeting. Their faith and training instinctively told them what to do. I am sure they were welcomed into glory by the words, “Well done, my good and faithful servants”.
Richard Pender is the senior vice commander of North Brunswick American Legion Post 459.
