POST 68 FOUR CHAPLAINS COMMEMORATION EVENT
On Sunday, February 2, 2025, the John E. Jacobs American Legion Post 68 conducted a Four Chaplains commemoration service at Elah Baptist Church in Leland. The Post thanks Pastor Ken Long, Post 68 and church member John Cook, and the church congregation in attendance for making this solemn event possible. The evening service, held just a day before the 82nd anniversary of the tragic event, is an annual tribute to the self-sacrifice and heroic acts of four young Army Chaplains who sacrificed their lives during World War II to save others. The commemoration was the first of its kind held at Elah Baptist.
On January 29, 1943, the US Army Transport Dorchester, with 902 service members, civilians, and crew, departed St. John’s, Newfoundland, bound for Greenland. On board were four Army chaplains – Lieutenants George L. Fox, a Methodist minister; John P. Washington, a Catholic priest; Clark V. Poling, a Dutch Reformed minister; and Alexander D. Goode, a rabbi.
At 12:55 a.m. on February 3, 1943, the German submarine U-223 torpedoed the Dorchester, causing damage so severe that the ship sank within 20 minutes. There were not enough serviceable lifeboats and lifevests to save all personnel onboard.
As the Dorchester sank further into the frigid North Atlantic waters, the four Chaplains gave up their life vests and, in a poignant display of unity, were seen and heard by many, standing on the ship singing hymns, arms locked in prayer. These four chaplains, despite their different religious backgrounds, shared a common goal of serving and comforting the soldiers, and their selfless acts on the Dorchester became a symbol of unity and bravery.
The resulting loss of 672 souls would be the worst single loss of American personnel of any American convoy during World War II. The US Coast Guard cutter escorts Comanche and Escanaba saved 230 personnel. In 1948, Congress established February 3 as “Four Chaplains Day” to commemorate their acts of heroism. Each year, American Legion posts nationwide commemorate the selfless acts of the Four Chaplains on or near February 3.
Over 100 people attended the commemoration at Elah Baptist Church. Members of the Post 68 Color Guard participated in the opening ceremonies. Post member Alan Simmons led the program with opening comments provided by Commander Bea Frost. Post Chaplain Jim McAvoy led the congregation in opening prayer, and other members, including Alan Simmons, Evan Jones, John Hacker, and Lane Adrian, spoke about each chaplain honored at the event.