CARIBOU, Maine — The Caribou American Legion recently held a special meeting and service to remember the sacrifice of four brave chaplains during World War II. Attending were Legion representatives from around Aroostook County.
During that war, the USAT Dorchester was tragically sunk by an enemy submarine in the icy waters of the North Atlantic. Of the 902 young men on board, only 230 survived. Many of those survivors owed their lives to the courage and leadership exhibited by the heroic Four Chaplains, who, in sacrificing their lives, created a unique legacy of brotherhood.
The chaplains, George Fox, Alexander Goods, Clark Poling and John Washington, gave away their own life jackets and ushered many to safety before they died. It was a heroic act — not only aboard the Dorchester, but because of the identity of these four young men — two Protestants, a Catholic and a Jew.
Since 1951, The Chapel of Four Chaplains has spread the message of interfaith cooperation and selfless service, touching the lives of thousands of people across the country. Thousands of Four Chaplains Interfaith Memorial Services are held across the nation on or near Feb. 3 as a tribute to those courageous chaplains and the 672 brave young men who lost their lives on that fateful night, as well as to all those who have served, and whose courage and faith have sustained the country.
As part of the memorial service held at the Caribou Post 15 American Legion, the biographies of each of these four remarkable individuals were read by George McLaughlin of Wade, Dave Goupille of Perham, Dana Cyr of Caribou and Jack Parisi of Caribou.
The history of the night of Feb. 3, 1943, was recounted: Just after midnight, an enemy submarine fired a torpedo toward the Dorchester. The missile exploded in the boiler room, destroying the electric supply and releasing suffocating clouds of steam and ammonia gas. Many on board died instantly; some were trapped below deck. Others, jolted from their bunks, stumbled their way to the decks of the stricken vessel. Taking on water rapidly, the ship began listing to starboard.
Overcrowded lifeboats capsized; rafts drifted away before anyone could reach them. Men clung to the rails, frozen with fear, unable to let go and plunge into the dark, churning water below.
The testimony of survivors tells us that the sole order and the only fragment of hope in this chaos came from the Four Chaplains, who calmly guided men to their boat stations. They opened the storage locker and distributed life jackets. Then they coaxed men, frozen with fear, over the side. Soon the supply of life jackets was exhausted.
Several survivors reported watching in awe as the Four Chaplains either gave away or forced upon other young men their own life jackets. They talked with and listened to the men — soothing apprehensions, offering encouragement, sharing jokes. By their concern and their camaraderie with the men and one another, they brought solace during the trip from New York Harbor to Greenland.
These four men of God had given away their only means of saving themselves in order to save others. The chaplains gathered together and led the men around them in a prayer and a hymn. They linked their arms together as the slant of the deck became severe. And just that way, with their arms linked in brotherhood and their heads bowed in prayer, they sank beneath the waves.
Legion members said it is imperative to teach children and youth about these great events and great sacrifices, for young people are the future, and it is vital for them to understand what selfless service on behalf of others can accomplish.
