ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - Local veterans’ organizations and community members gathered Jan. 31 at the Veterans Hall at District 56 to honor four U.S. Army chaplains whose acts of faith and selflessness became a lasting symbol of unity during World War II.

The annual Four Chaplains Memorial Service, hosted by American Legion Post 55, is observed each year on the Saturday closest to Feb. 3. The date marks the anniversary of the 1943 sinking of the United States Army Transport Dorchester, a tragedy that forever linked the chaplains’ names to courage and sacrifice.

During the ceremony, Chaplains George Fox, Clark Poling, Alexander Goode and John Washington were honored individually. As the background of each chaplain was read aloud, candles were lit to symbolize their lives and service, giving attendees time to remember and reflect on their enduring legacy of faith and unity.

 

On Feb. 3, 1943, the Dorchester was torpedoed by a German U-boat off the coast of Greenland while en route to Great Britain. The four chaplains, two Protestant ministers, a Catholic priest and a Jewish rabbi, gave their life vests to other passengers and helped as many people as possible escape. They ultimately went down with the Dorchester, earning them the title of “The Immortals.”

The memorial also paid tribute to U.S. Coast Guard sailor Charles W. David Jr., one of the rescuers who repeatedly dove into frigid waters to save passengers and fellow service members. David later died from pneumonia as a result of his rescue efforts.

The chaplains’ heroism was formally recognized in the years following the war when President Eisenhower signed a proclamation establishing Feb. 3 as the official Four Chaplains Day of Remembrance.

American Legion Post 55 Commander Larry Sahota said the purpose of the ceremony is to ensure those sacrifices are never forgotten and for the community to recognize how they shaped the freedoms enjoyed today.

“These types of events that we do are so that we never forget, we never forget where we came from, how we got here and the people that got us here,” Sahota said.

Sahota said every American Legion event includes recognition of Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action as part of a commitment to never forget. He also emphasized the importance of educating the community, especially younger generations, about the history behind ceremonies like the Four Chaplains Memorial Service, which highlight camaraderie and unity in times of need.

“It’s what it is, comradeship. When that ship was sinking, those four chaplains grabbed arms and said ‘Hey, we’re going to take care of our brothers, this is God’s calling and we have to do what we have to do,’” Sahota added.