REMEMBER

On January 23, 1943, the SS Dorchester left New York harbor enroute to Greenland with a passenger manifest of just over 900 souls. This civilian liner had been converted for military service in WWII as a troop transport. The Dorchester was a part of a three-ship convoy escorted by Coast Guard Cutters Tampa, Escanaba, and Comanche. On the eve of February 2, 1943, Coast Guard sonar detected a German submarine in the area. The captain of the Dorchester, Hans Danielson, placed his crew on high alert, ordering his men to sleep in their clothing and keep their life jackets on. “Many soldiers sleeping deep in the ship’s hold disregarded the order because of the engine’s heat. Others ignored it because the life jackets were uncomfortable.” During the early morning hours of February 3rd, the Dorchester was torpedoed by the German U-boat off the coast of Newfoundland. The torpedo knocked out the electrical system, leaving the ship dark. Panic set in. Many were trapped below decks. Life jackets were in short supply. The ship began to sink.

Among the troops being transported on the Dorchester were four chaplains, newly commissioned as First Lieutenants, fresh out of chaplain’s school at Harvard University. As panic spread throughout the ship, the chaplains worked together to calm the men, organizing the evacuation and guiding the wounded to safety. When the supply of life jackets ran out, the chaplains removed theirs and gave them to others. They helped the men find space in lifeboats until there was no more space to be found. Then the chaplains linked arms and began to pray and sing hymns. Grady Clark, one of the 230 men who survived, described what he saw as his lifeboat floated away from the Dorchester. “I looked back. Flares lit up the night sky. The bow came up high and slid under. The last I saw, the four chaplains were on deck praying for the safety of the men. They had done everything they could. I did not see them again. They had no chance without their lifejackets.”

The sinking of the SS Dorchester on February 3, 1943, has been referred to as one of the worst sea disasters of WWII. In response to the tragedy, the home church of one of the chaplains created a memorial in the basement of their building. Grace Baptist Church of Philadelphia became the first home of the Chapel of the Four Chaplains. There, the story of bravery and sacrifice was told so that the heroism of those four chaplains would inspire the next generations. George L. Fox was the oldest of the four chaplains. Born in Lewistown, PA, he served in the Marines in WWI. His service was honored with a Silver Star and a Purple Heart. After the war, George went to seminary to become a Methodist pastor. When war came again, he told his wife, “I have to go. I know from experience what our boys are about to face. They need me.” Alexander Goode followed in his father’s footsteps to become a rabbi. When war broke out, he volunteered, leaving the synagogue he served in York, PA. John P. Washington was one of nine children born to an Irish immigrant family. He grew up to become a Catholic priest. When war broke out, he knew that “the sheep would need a shepherd.” Clark V. Poling was the youngest of the chaplains, the seventh generation in his family to be ordained in the Dutch Reformed Church. Just before leaving on the Dorchester, he asked his father to pray for him- “not for my safe return, that wouldn’t be fair. Pray that I shall do my duty… never be a coward… and have the strength, courage and understanding of my men.” These four chaplains sacrificed their lives for the sake of their men, leaving behind 3 wives, 8 children, and family and faith communities who loved them.

The legacy of the four chaplains is carried on through the Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation located at the Navy Yard in south Philadelphia. Every year, the Foundation selects six Legion of Honor recipients, “to recognize outstanding members of society whose lives model the giving spirit and unconditional service to community, nation, and humanity without regard to race, religion or creed exemplified by the Four Chaplains.” This year, one of the recipients, recognized for mirroring the sacrifice of the Four Chaplains, is one of our own- Capt. Gordon Bell. Gordon is honorably retired from the US Coast Guard. He began his service as Seaman 1st class in 1956. During his Coast Guard career, he rose through the enlisted ranks, and then through the officer ranks, retiring in 1998 as a Captain (just one step from Admiral). Gordon’s rise through the ranks is rare, a tribute to his strong leadership and sacrificial service. In 1998, Gordon moved on to his second career as a civilian in the insurance industry. He joined Lenape Valley Church that same year where he has served many times as an Elder. For the last twenty years, Gordon and his late wife Joan have lived in the Dock Woods community. No surprise, Gordon has served there as President of the Community Association and works tirelessly to care for the veterans in that community. In work, church and community, Gordon has served with the selfless sacrifice of the four chaplains. I am thankful for his witness in our midst.

As we prepare for Memorial Day, may we remember those who serve in our midst, that their sacrifice would inspire us to faithfulness.

With you gratefully remembering those who serve,
Anita