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The Dorchester Chaplains

The Four Chaplains: Lieutenant George Fox, Lieutenant Alexander D. Goode, Lieutenant Clark V. Poling, and Lieutenant John P. Washington

Escanaba Dorchester rescue

Coast Guard Cutter USCGC Escanaba rescues Dorchester survivors,
by an unattributed Coast Guard artist. From Wikipedia.

O Lord Jesus Christ, whose hast taught us that a man hath no greater love than to lay down his life for another: Grant us so to follow the example of the Four Chaplains of the SS Dorchester, whose unity of faith in thee transcended any earthly differences, and who gave their lives without regard for station or creed, that we may all be united by our faith in thee, and that we may bear witness to that faith before all nations; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Four Chaplains Day, February 3rd, commemorates the sacrifice of the four U.S. Army chaplains aboard the SS Dorchester, which was sunk by a German submarine in the Atlantic in 1943. The chaplains, all lieutenants, included a Methodist pastor, a Jewish rabbi, a Roman Catholic priest, and a Reformed Church in America minister. They calmed frightened soldiers and sailors, aided in the evacuation of the ship, and helped guide wounded men to safety. They finally gave up their own life jackets when supplies ran out. Written at the request of one of the priests of the parish, who has a mission to a group of World War II reënactors.

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