The Four Chaplains

Rodef Shalom Heroes: The Four Chaplains

This is a story about The chaplains were Lieutenant kiddush ha-Shem George L. Fox (Protestant), (martyrdom) and pikuah Lieutenant Alexander D. Goode nefesh (saving a life), but (Jewish); Lieutenant John P. it is also a story about Washington, (Catholic) and rodef shalom because of Lieutenant Clark V. Poling, the way the four chaplains (Protestant). The worked hard to worked together. bring hope in this darkness. They The Dorch est er and tried to calm the frightened, It was World War II and help the wounded and guide the Germany was fighting the confused toward safety. United States and a group One witness, Private William of other countries called the allies. Lots of American B. Bednar, was floating in the water surrounded soldiers were being sent in ships across the Atlantic by dead bodies and debris. He said, “I could hear Ocean in order to be able to fight. Germany was men crying, pleading, praying. I could also hear the attacking US ships with their submarines and so chaplains preaching courage. Their voices were the it was dangerous to sail across the Atlantic. On only thing that kept me going.” February 2, 1943 the U.S.S. Dorchester was crowded with 902 men. It was heading toward an American base in Greenland. The captain ordered the men to sleep in their clothing and keep life jackets on (in case the ship was attacked). Many soldiers sleeping in the bottom of the ship didn’t obey the order because of the heat from the engine. Others ignored it because life jackets were uncomfortable. Another sailor, Petty Officer John J. Mahoney, tried to go back to his cabin, but Rabbi Goode stopped him. Mahoney, scared of the cold Arctic air, was going back for his gloves. “Never mind,” Goode told him. “I have two pairs.” The rabbi gave Mahoney his own gloves. Later Mahoney realized that Rabbi Goode was not carrying two pairs of gloves. He realized that the rabbi had decided not to leave the The Attack Dorchester. A German submarine approached on the surface. Three torpedoes were fired. One hit was deadly. It hit the ship far below the water line. When there were no more lifejackets in the storage room, the chaplains removed theirs and gave them to four frightened young men. “It was the finest thing I have seen or hope to see this side of heaven,” When the captain was told that his ship was sinking, said John Ladd, another survivor. he gave the order to abandon ship. It took less spread out among the soldiers than twenty minutes for the Dorchester to sink. An Act of Rodef Shalom The blast from the torpedo had killed many men, and many more were seriously wounded. Others were lost in the darkness. Men jumped from the ship into lifeboats, overcrowding them to the point of capsizing. Other rafts, tossed into the Atlantic, drifted away before soldiers could get in them. As the ship went down, survivors in nearby rafts could see the four chaplains—arms linked and braced against the slanting deck. Their voices could also be heard offering prayers. Of the 902 men aboard the Dorchester, only 230 survived. By working together the four chaplains taught The Chapla ins that religion doesn’t have to divide people. They This is the story of the four chaplains. A chaplain is a religious leader like a rabbi or minister who joins the army to serve the religious needs of soldiers. showed that all people were created by one God. The memory of their shared bravery is an example of rodef shalom, of people working together for a better future.

Rodef Shalom Activity: Mission Statement of the Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation

The Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation was dedicated on February 3, 1951, by President Harry S. Truman. In his dedication speech the president said, “This interfaith shrine... will stand through long generations to teach Americans that as men can die heroically as brothers so should they live together in mutual faith and goodwill.” This is the foundation’s mission statement:

the four chaplains memorial fountan The Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation exists to further the cause of “unity without uniformity” by encouraging goodwill and cooperation among all people. The organization achieves its mission honoring people whose deeds symbolize the legacy of the Four Chaplains. The Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation’s vision is to impart the principles of selfless service to humanity without regard to race, creed, ethnicity or religious belief.

1. What does “unity with uniformity” mean? 2. What is the mission of this foundation? 3. H ow does it help to create people who are rodfei shalom?