For God and Country
| - A Legion Chaplain's - God & Country Tribute - Four Chaplains Memorial |
Four Chaplains Memorial Service
The first Sunday in February is Four chaplains Sunday.
Top and Left: The German submarine U-223,
The GERLACH, a type VIIC submarine.
The GERLACH, a type VIIC submarine.
Top: USCG Escanaba
Left: USCG Comanche
Both came to the aid of the Dorchester
Left: USCG Comanche
Both came to the aid of the Dorchester
| Various photos of the Dorchester |
Right:
Life-preserver
from the
Dorchester
Life-preserver
from the
Dorchester
Coast Guard Cutter COMANCHE, the ship that found Lifeboat 13 from the DORCHESTER, rescuing a total of 97
survivors.
The ESCANABA, rescued another 132 survivors. In June 1943, an explosion sank the Escanaba, only two out of a
crew of 103 survived.
survivors.
The ESCANABA, rescued another 132 survivors. In June 1943, an explosion sank the Escanaba, only two out of a
crew of 103 survived.
The GERLACH, U-223, which claimed to have sunk the DORCHESTER, was eventually sunk north of
Palermo, Sicily, by the HMS LAFOREY in the company of other corvettes on March 30, 1944.
Palermo, Sicily, by the HMS LAFOREY in the company of other corvettes on March 30, 1944.
| The Four Chaplains Memorial Service is a program I am dedicated to giving every year. This event exemplifies how men selflessly react when called upon to serve and, for these Four Chaplains, it was the ultimate sacrifice they would give to mankind. Each year I try to get different organizations involved and become part of this program. After giving my third annual Four Chaplains service, I had come to meet Ed Dionne, a survivor of the USS Dorchester that fateful night. Ed, at that time in 1943, was an Army Master Sergeant and was quite familiar with many of the troops and crew of the ship. I was honored and surprised that he was able to appear. Ed Dionne had a busy schedule touring the country giving lectures and promoting the Chapel of Four Chaplains. I, of course, was nervous putting on this presentation with Ed present, even though the year before I had two retired admirals in attendance, along with our department and district commanders, a regular Army Chaplain (who participated in the service), and a reporter and photographer from the Orlando Sentinel. I asked Ed to be part of the service, but he said he would rather listen. He said he enjoyed seeing the many different versions of the Four Chaplain’s Memorial service. When the service was about to conclude, Ed finally spoke. He expressed his gratitude to the heroes of the US Coast Guard. It was the first time they used the "RETRIEVER METHOD" he told us. He filled us in about his experiences on the Dorchester -- his rescue, and of jumping into the icy Atlantic, ironically, without a life jacket, that frightful night. We were fortunate to have Ed answer all questions presented to him. From that moment on, I become inspired to make presenting this program a part of my life. After spending the remainder of the afternoon with Ed, along with some friends at the Post, he took out his appointment book and promised to attend my service the following year, but he never made it . . . He passed away. |
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| Many stories have been written about the heroic acts of four Army Chaplains aboard a troop transport ship on its way to Greenland. What makes this story unique is that four chaplains were aboard the USAT Dorchester at the same time. In the wee hours of the morning, a torpedo found its mark, striking the engine room with tremendous force, knocking out the lights. Many were killed instantly, others were trapped below decks. Some lifeboats capsized from overloading. Rafts tossed over the side drifted off. Many men did not have life jackets. The chaplains did what they could to direct them in the darkness. A supply locker was located and the chaplains began to distribute the life-vests. When the locker was totally depleted of these vests, the chaplains took off their own insisting that the next in line don them. These four magnificent human beings of different faiths were seen with arms linked and heads bowed, praying, as the slanting ship sank into the ocean deep. Only 230 survived out of more than 900. President Harry S. Truman said “Men can die heroically as brothers so they should live together in mutual faith and good will." A posthumous Special Medal for Heroism, never before given and never to be given again, was authorized by Congress and awarded by the President January 18, 1961. Congress wished to confer the Medal of Honor but was blocked by the stringent requirements which required heroism performed under fire. The special medal was intended to have the same weight and importance as the Medal of Honor. To learn more about this story, please attend one of the many services that takes place across our nation or visit http://www. fourchaplains.org. To listen to this story being told by actual survivors including Ed Dionne, Click to listen "No Greater Glory", at www.wwiivets.com/FourChaplains.htm, this story is about 45 minutes long. Download the Service Guidelines for Four Chaplains Interfaith Memorial Services |
| “The last day of the Dorchester” By Walter S. Miller, Survivor On a cold day in January, 1943 The Dorchester set out for open sea, With civilians, seamen and soldiers too, And Four Chaplains there among the crew. The days turned to nights and back to days, The Chaplains comforted us in many ways, A prayer, a smile or a word or two, Everyday, until that day was through. A date to remember was coming fast, That will remain with me, till life is past February 3, 1943 A date that will always stay with me. It was early morning and it was dark, A German sub took aim and hit its mark, A torpedo ripped a large hole in the ship, And for hundreds of men, it was the end of the trip. War is hell and war is glory, As you will read in this my story, Four Chaplains on board wee proved so brave, For so many lives they tried to save. Handing out life jackets, Including theirs too, And then they went down, With the rest of the crew. As the ship was sinking, they joined hands and prayed, For the men still on board, and the price that they paid, A few survivors are left to tell the story, Of Four Chaplains who sank in a blaze of glory. April 7, 1985 |
Four Chaplains Memorial Service
THE COLLECT
God of our Fathers and our God, we thank
You for the unity that the U.S.A.T.
DORCHESTER Chaplains, these four
men of God, demonstrated in life and in
death.
Unity that is not uniformity.
Unity that strengthens within each of us
every worthy loyalty of faith and practice.
Unity that transcends all our differences
and makes us one in loyalty to our country
and our fellowmen, and to you our God.
Grant us now your abiding presence and
may we remain faithful to the spirit of our
Four Chaplains who, having learned to live
and serve together, in death were not
divided.
God of our Fathers and our God, we thank
You for the unity that the U.S.A.T.
DORCHESTER Chaplains, these four
men of God, demonstrated in life and in
death.
Unity that is not uniformity.
Unity that strengthens within each of us
every worthy loyalty of faith and practice.
Unity that transcends all our differences
and makes us one in loyalty to our country
and our fellowmen, and to you our God.
Grant us now your abiding presence and
may we remain faithful to the spirit of our
Four Chaplains who, having learned to live
and serve together, in death were not
divided.
| Click to listen "No Greater Glory": In this link you will hear this chilling story and the voices of Survivors including Ed Dionne. Listen to them tell their story of leaving the Dorchester and of their rescue. The Four Chaplains and the Sinking of the Dorchester a program sponsored by the World War II Veterans Committee |
| © 2006 Legion Chaplain - This site was written and is maintained by Chaplain Jim Bellew @ Call Your Office For inquires call 303-495-3152. Send email to jb @ legionchaplain.com |
