TOMAHAWK – On Sunday, Feb. 8, a memorial service was held in Tomahawk to honor the “Four Chaplains” of the USAT Dorchester of World War II.
Generations Funeral Home and Crematory on N. 4th St. graciously opened their doors for the event. The memorial service was conducted by the Tomahawk Area Veterans Honor Guard, comprised of both the American Legion and the VFW of Tomahawk.
The Chaplains memorialized were George L. Fox (Methodist), Lt. Alexander D. Goode (Jewish), Lt. John P. Washington (Roman Catholic) and Lt. Clark V. Poling (Dutch Reformed).
These four Chaplains sacrificed their lives for the soldiers on the USAT Dorchester on Feb. 2-3, 1943, when it was torpedoed by a German U-boat in the North Atlantic. They sacrificed the remaining time of their lives in loving service to the soldiers in their charge, by keeping them calm and helping them get off the sinking Troopship.
Each Chaplain gave their life vest to a soldier in need, knowing that without it, there was no way they would survive. In the end, they locked arms, prayed and went down with the ship.
They brought the Bible verse John 15:13, to life in their death: “Greater love hath no man than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”
They were each posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and Purple Heart for their heroism.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here