The Story
Four Chaplains Memorial, resembles a flying white bird, by Italian-American sculptor Costantino Nivola. The former water sculpture is located at the entrance to National Memorial Park, in Falls Church, VA, near Washington, D.C.
There are many memorials to the legendary Four Chaplains. The story goes:
On the night of February 2, 1943, the S.S. Dorchester, once a luxury liner, now an Army transport ship, sailed from New York to Great Britain with 902 souls aboard.
That night, the captain ordered everyone to sleep in their clothes and wear life jackets. But many ignored the order.
At 12:55 a.m. on February 3, a German submarine fired a torpedo that struck the Dorchester.
In the darkness and chaos, four chaplains stepped up: Methodist Minister Lt. George L. Fox, Rabbi Lt. Alexander D. Goode, Catholic Priest Lt. John P. Washington, and Dutch Reformed Minister Lt. Clark V. Poling.
They spread out, calming the frightened, tending to the wounded, and guiding the disoriented.
When there were no more life jackets, they gave up their own to save others.
Survivors saw the chaplains, arms linked, praying as the ship went down.
Of the 902 aboard, only 230 survived. The chaplains’ selfless acts became legendary.
Posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and Purple Heart, and later a Special Medal for Heroism, their story remains a beacon of faith and courage.
78 years later, their legacy inspires us to serve and support one another, no matter our differences.
