Radical Act of Kindness...Compliments of our Military

Truth be told, our military are known for their radical acts of kindness, what with having signed a blank check to defend us, no holds barred. We are getting ready to celebrate a radical act of kindness, once again. Since the late 1940’s, the American Legion holds interfaith memorial services: the 4 Chaplains Interfaith Ceremony. The purpose is to promote interfaith cooperation and selfless service in individuals and organizations, in the tradition of the Four Chaplains, and to promote interfaith understanding and cooperation among all people. Each year, the ceremony takes place at a rotating house of worship representing the denomination of each of the Four Chaplains, Roman Catholic, Jewish, Methodist and Lutheran. This year’s ceremony is scheduled to take place at Central Synagogue – Beth Emeth, 430 DeMott Avenue, Rockville Centre, NY 11570 on Sunday, February 5, 2023 at 2:30 p.m. It should be completed by 3:30 p.m. and will be followed by a brief gathering for refreshments and conversation. What is the reason for this service, one might ask? This incident of valor is little known by most, and it is not mentioned in
history texts. One of the goals of the American Legion as stated in its Constitution is “To preserve the memories and incidents of our association in all wars.” Here is the story behind our ceremony.

On the evening of February 2, 1943, the USAT Dorchester, one of three ships in its convoy, set sail for Europe with a full complement of 902 servicemen, merchant seamen and civilian workers. Most were US Army personnel on their way to wage war against the Nazis. The convoy escort vessels were Coast Guard Cutters Tampa, Escanaba and Comanche. Captain Hans Danielsen was concerned as the Tampa had detected a submarine with its sonar. They were in dangerous waters- something the captain knew even before the sonar report.

The troops aboard the ship were young soldiers fresh out of training, and they now sailed into destiny and whatever awaited them in the battlegrounds of Europe. They had no idea that their trip would be terminated by a German torpedo fired somewhere between
St. John’s, New Brunswick and their first destination in Greenland.

At 12:55 a.m., a periscope broke the surface of the chilly Atlantic waters. It was the U-223, and it approached the convoy on the surface. Three torpedoes were fired, and the one that hit the Dorchester was deadly, striking the starboard side, amid ship, far below the waterline. Captain Danielsen was told that the ship was taking on water rapidly, and gave the order to abandon ship. The ship slipped beneath the surface in less than 20 minutes.

There was panic aboard the Dorchester. Scores had been killed outright, and many more were seriously wounded. Others were stunned and groping in the darkness hoping to get to the deck. Many who slept without clothing rushed topside only to be confronted
by, first, a blast of icy Arctic air, and then by the realization that death awaited. Men jumped into lifeboats, overcrowding them to the point that they capsized. Life rafts tossed into the ocean drifted away before any men could board them.

According to those present, and through the pandemonium, four Army chaplains brought hope in despair and light in darkness. Those chaplains were Lt. George L. Fox, Methodist; Lt. Alexander D. Goode, Jewish; Lt. John P. Washington, Roman Catholic; and Lt. Clark V. Poling, Dutch Reformed. They spread out among the soldiers, where they tried to calm the frightened, tend the wounded and guide the disoriented toward safety.
Witnesses of that terrible night remember hearing the four men offer prayers for the dying and encouragement for those who would live. One witness, Pvt. William B. Bednar, found himself floating in oil-smeared water surrounded by dead bodies and debris. He recalled hearing men crying, pleading and praying. He could also hear the chaplains preaching courage. “Their voices were the only thing that kept me going,” he said.

A sailor, Petty Officer John Mahoney, tried to reenter his cabin, but was stopped by Rabbi Goode. The sailor had forgotten his gloves. Rabbi Goode told him, “I have two pairs,” and gave his gloves to the sailor. In retrospect, Mahoney realized that the Rabbi had already decided not to leave the Dorchester.

Most of the men were now topside, and the chaplains opened a storage locker and began distributing life jackets. It was then that Engineer Grady Clark witnessed an astonishing sight. When there were no more life jackets in the storage room, the chaplains
removed theirs and gave them to four frightened young men. “It was the finest thing I have seen or hope to see this side of heaven,” said John Ladd, another survivor who saw the chaplains’ selfless act. His response is understandable. The altruistic action of the four
chaplains constitutes one of the purest spiritual and ethical acts a person can make. When giving their life jackets, Rabbi Goode did not call out for a Jew; Father Washington did not call out for a Catholic; nor did the Reverends Fox and Poling call out for a Protestant. They simply gave their life jackets to the next man in line. These men served for the same purpose, and they shared the same Father!

As the ship went down, survivors in nearby rafts could see the four chaplains– arms linked and braced against the slanting deck. Their voices could also be heard offering prayers.

Of the 902 men aboard the U.S.A.T. Dorchester, 672 died, leaving 230 survivors. When the news reached American shores, the nation was stunned by the magnitude of the tragedy and heroic conduct of the four chaplains.
Please plan to join the American Legion Family (The American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, American Legion Riders, Sons of the American Legion) as well as other military organizations to commemorate this moving re-enactment on February 5, 2023. All are welcome, and admission is free.

In service not self,

Rosanne Spinner, Sgt. at Arms

American Legion Auxiliary

Nassau County Committee