This month marks the 80th anniversary of the selfless sacrifice of the Army’s “Four Chaplains,” who are often also referred to as “The Immortal Chaplains.”

Today, I’d like to share a little of their story with you, because it is a story that continues to inspire and challenge not just chaplains, but all those who learn of the leadership and heroism of the Four Chaplains.

In the early morning hours of February 3, 1943…..

It was shortly after midnight when the US Army Transport Dorchester was torpedoed by German submarine U-223 in the freezing waters off Newfoundland in the North Atlantic. On board the Dorchester were the Four Chaplains and 900 other men deploying to join the Allied forces fighting World War II in the European Theater. 

After the explosions caused by the torpedo attack, all was darkness and confusion. Panic ensued, but the Four Chaplains came together and immediately began assisting others. They had trained together in the States and their training kicked in.

But they would soon face a scenario not covered in their training.

When it became clear there were more men on the ship than life jackets, these four officers removed the life jackets they were wearing and selflessly gave them away so that others might survive in their place. Then they sang together, prayed, and encouraged the men around them to keep fighting for their lives. 

These Four Chaplains were from significantly different faith backgrounds. Yet, despite their differences, they were united in their sacred duty to provide comfort, care, and calm in the midst of chaos, panic, and despair.

Chaplain George L. Fox was Methodist; Chaplain Alexander D. Goode was Jewish; Chaplain Clark V. Poling was Dutch Reformed; and Chaplain John P. Washington was Roman Catholic.

All were just first lieutenants on the way to their first assignments; but all of them were committed to serving in our Army’s culturally diverse and religiously pluralistic context, fulfilling the same sacred calling shared by all of our nation’s military religious support professionals throughout our country’s history.

Along with their teammates, the chaplains of our nation’s military services have a long and proud history of providing religious and spiritual support and care to everyone, without qualification or exception. 

And when the time came 80 years ago, the Chaplains gave their life jackets without such qualification or exception.

It is important to note that Chaplain Fox and Chaplain Poling did not remove their life jackets in search of fellow Protestants. No, they simply handed their life jackets to the nearest soldiers in need. Neither did Chaplain Goode seek to save a fellow Jew, nor did Chaplain Washington look for a drowning Catholic. These chaplains drew no such religious distinctions in that moment, as they cared for those around them; and then all four men perished. 

A survivor named Grady Clark said, “As I swam away from the ship, I looked back… The last thing I saw was the Four Chaplains praying for the safety of the men. They had done all they could; I did not see them again.” 

The Four Chaplains’ partnership in pluralistic ministry and selfless service, and their commitment to serve God and country, regardless of the costs, rightly captures the spirit of their successors in military ministry today – collegial, full of care, and spiritually courageous.

This devotion to sacred service never falters. 

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