Remembering the 'Four Chaplains' on the 75th anniversary of their deaths

By Leader staff reportsFebruary 8, 2018

4 Chaplains
A Four Chaplains 75th anniversary remembrance ceremony was held Feb. 2 at the U.S. Army Chaplain Center and School. From left, Chaplain (Maj.) John
Ijeoma, stands behind the candle in remembrance of Chaplain John P. Washington, Chaplain (Maj.) Scott ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)
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On May 9, June 10 and Aug. 8- 9 of 1942, four men from different religious backgrounds entered the chaplaincy corps and began their active duty careers as Chaplains. Seventy-five years later we remember their final act of service.

On Feb. 2, the U.S. Army Chaplain Center and School held the Four Chaplains 75th Remembrance

Ceremony.

Ensuring the importance of the remembrance would not be lost in the ceremonial illustration Chaplain (Col.) Jeffrey Hawkins USACHCS commandant lead the focus of the audience.

"Those we honor today are real people that were in a real place in a real time, bonafide real chaplains with a real chaplain identity and a real chaplain calling," he said. "What we have the privilege today of doing is simply to remember, reflect, and as we do; renew that same commitment in our hearts to that chaplain identity; that chaplain calling."

Chaplains George L. Fox, Alexander D. Goode, Clark V. Poling and John P. Washington answered their call for God and country on Feb. 3, 1943 when the U.S.A.T Dorchester was hit by a German torpedo in the North Atlantic.

It's been told that in the mist of chaos the four chaplains displayed inner calm and ministered to the people around them, freely giving their life vests to save the lives of others.

"This today is not chaplain lore, this is our legacy," Chaplain (Maj.) Timothy Cross said.

"Here at USACHCS it is fitting and proper the first image that is encountered by volunteers desiring to answer the call as a chaplain, to serve both God and country is a stained glass mural that bears the image of these four chaplains. As if to say; to fully answer this call you must know whose footsteps you walk in, whose shoulders you stand upon, to march upon this road you too must die to self and stand ready likewise to give your last full measure if called upon."