Four Chaplains Day

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Four Chaplains Day is celebrated annually on February 3 in recognition of these four United States Army chaplains (Roman Catholic priest Father John P. Washington, Methodist minister the Reverend George L. Fox, Reform Rabbi Alexander D. Goode, and Reformed Church in America minister the Reverend Clark V. Poling), who made the ultimate sacrifice of selflessness and courage onboard the sinking troop ship SS Dorchester during World War II, when the ship was hit by a torpedo from a German U-boat in the Labrador Sea on February 3, 1943.

The chaplains helped other soldiers and civilians board lifeboats; giving up their own life jackets when the supply ran out; and, remaining aboard the sinking ship.

Each were posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross ... second only to the Medal of Honor.

The are also referred to as the... "Immortal Chaplains" and "Dorchester Chaplains".

Four Chaplains Day was established on February 3, 1998 by senate resolution 169-98 commemorate the 55th anniversary of the sinking of United States Army transport Dorchester and subsequent heroism of these dedicated chaplains.

Image created by USA Patriotism! from an illustration courtesy of the U.S. Army.

The Four Chaplains Video

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