On Feb. 3, 1943, the U.S.A.T. Dorchester was torpedoed by a German submarine. As the ship began to sink in the icy waters of the North Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Greenland, survivors accounts say that, four Army chaplains gave up their life jackets, linked arms, and offered prayers and messages of courage.
One of the four chaplains was Rabbi Alexander D. Goode, who left his pulpit at Temple Beth Israel in York, PA to enlist in the military. The other three chaplains were: Fr. Johnny P. Washington, a Roman Catholic priest; Rev. George L. Fox, a Methodist minister; and Rev. Clark V. Poling, a Dutch Reformed Minister. Though their backgrounds, personalities, and denominations were different, all chaplains held the rank of first lieutenant. They met at the Army Chaplains School at Harvard University, where they prepared for assignments in the European theater, sailing on board Dorchester to report to their new assignments. Of the 902 men aboard the ship, only 230 would survive. When the news reached American shores, the nation was stunned by the tragedy, and amazed at the heroic actions of the Four Chaplains. The moving story of the Four Chaplains’ spirit of self-sacrifice and brotherhood has become an inspiration to our nation.
Presentation and Chaplain Displays included in museum admission.
