Four Chaplains honored for their bravery
By Beth Hoad
tcurry@messengerpostmedia.com

SUBMITTED PHOTO

From left are Robert Dominik, Robert Trox, Kimberly Casselman, Dan Zimmer, Ray Freyn, Dennis Weeks, Arnie Deyo, Kevin Southcott, Dean Weeks, Don Balliet, Ivan Fisher and Mark Wyman, honoring the Four Chaplains.

HEROIC SACRIFICE: As the Dorchester began to sink, four chaplains gave their life jackets to others.

PALMYRA: Sixty-six years after four men valiantly sacrificed their lives for others, members of the American Legion gathered to honor their heroic act.

The story of the Four Chaplains was spun again on Sunday, Feb. 1, by Robert Trox, Wayne County Legion commander, at a memorial service to honor the chaplains who died heroes when the troop ship they were on, the USAT Dorchester, sank on Feb. 3, 1943.

The tale begins at midnight on that fateful day, as the Dorchester, two other ships and three Coast Guard cutters crept into Torpedo Alley, 100 miles off the coast of Greenland. Five minutes after entering the alley, a German submarines torpedo ripped into the Dorchester, causing the ship to list. Immediately, it began to sink, leaving the crew members little time to fight for their lives.

In all, 672 men died that day.

But, miraculously, because of the Four Chaplains, Father John Washington (Catholic), the Rev. Clark Poling (Dutch Reformed), Rabbi Alexander Goode (Jewish) and the Rev. George Fox (Methodist), 230 people survived.

In the midst of chaos, men clamored to the deck. The Four Chaplains calmed them, taking charge of distributing life jackets. When the supply was exhausted, the Four Chaplains removed their jackets and courageously gave them to others.

Survivors witnessed the Four Chaplains standing on the deck, their arms linked, singing and praying, as the Dorchester sank to the bottom of the sea.

The ship, a 1920s-era luxury cruise ship retrofitted as a troop carrier, sank in 27 minutes.

In 1961, Congress honored the chaplains posthumously with a Special Congressional Medal of Valor in recognition of their selfless acts of courage and interfaith compassion in their relationships with the men and each other.

The special medal was given to their next of kin and will never be presented again.

On Sunday, in honor of the Four Chaplains, 100 people attended the 14th annual memorial service performed by the Wayne County American Legion at Western Presbyterian Church in Palmyra.

The Marion Minute Men Color Guard posted and retired the Colors. Guardsmen Mark Wyman and Kevin Southcott, Wayne County Adjutant Dan Zimmer and Wayne County Vice Commander Robert Dominik read tributes to the Four Chaplains. The Western Presbyterian Church choir and organist performed the National Anthem and hymns and led the singing of God Bless America.

In conclusion, the Rev. Dr. Nancy Farrell said the story must be retold, not only to honor the chaplains, but also to honor the God the chaplains served.

Others participating in the service were Vice Commander James R. Hickey Post James Arthurton, Wayne County Chaplain Raymond Freyn and Wayne County Auxiliary Chaplain Kimberly Casselman.

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