Monday, 30 May 2011 23:59 Written by R.W. Daniel J. Schultz, PGH

From the Desk of the Historian: “Patriotism”

During May, the patriotic holiday, Memorial Day, is observed. This brings to mind the meaning of one of the lapel pins I proudly wear, and have been asked on numerous occasions, its meaning. Around the outer edge is written “The four immortal chaplains – Bro. George Lansing Fox. Inside the circle three emblems…the Masonic emblem, the Jewish Star and the Christian Cross, with the date 1943”.

“The Four Immortal Chaplains”

During World War II, four chaplains of different faiths gave their life jackets to soldiers from the torpedoed troop ship, S.S. Dorchester, and in doing so, knowingly sacrificed their own lives.
 
The Four Chaplains were:

George L. Fox

Alexander D. Goode

Clark V. Poling

John P. Washington

• Lt. George Lansing Fox (Protestant)
• Lt. Alexander David Goode (Rabbi)
• Lt. Clark V. Polings (Protestant)
• Lt. John P. Washington (Catholic Priest)

At 12:55 A.M. on Wednesday, February 3, 1943, a torpedo hit the S.S. Dorchester from a U-456 German submarine. The Dorchester took on water rapidly and began listing to starboard. Due to the fact no distress flares were sent up in the night sky, the escort vessels pushed on into the darkness, unaware the Dorchester was sinking. Overcrowded lifeboats capsized and rafts drifted away before they could be reached. The testimony of survivors tells us the sole order in that ferment of struggling men, some in just their underwear, came from the four chaplains. Calmly, they guided men into their boat stations.

When all the life jackets were handed out, one of the survivors recalled, the four chaplains took theirs off and gave them away. Looking back, as he swam away from the ship, Second Engineer Grady Clark, saw the chaplains standing, their arms linked braced against the slanting deck. They were praying. Other men grew close. There were no outcries, no panic just words of prayer, in Latin, Hebrew and English, addressed to the same God. The stern then came high out of the water and the Dorchester slid down beneath the sea. Of the 904 men aboard the S.S. Dorchester, 605 were lost. Those who are alive today will never forget the chaplains’ heroism.

By vote of Congress on January 18, 1961, a special medal of Heroism was posthumously awarded to the four chaplains. The 3rd of February became Four Chaplains Observance Day, and in 1951, the Chapel of the Four Chaplains, an interfaith shrine, was dedicated in Philadelphia, PA, with President and Bro. Harry S. Truman in attendance.

The legend of the four chaplains speaks of something deep in our hearts. Father Washington did not call for a Catholic when he handed over his life jacket, nor Rabbi Goode for a Jew, nor Reverends Fox nor Polings for a Protestant. They gave them to the next soldier in line – then stood shoulder to shoulder in mutually supporting faith. This is the ideal of Brotherhood. This is what we all want in America. This is what the FourChaplains gave us.

Four Chaplains US Postal Mark

One of the Four Chaplains belonged to the Masonic Fraternity. He was Bro. George L. Fox. He was initiated on Aug. 2, 1939, passed to the degree of Fellowcraft on Sept. 6, 1939 and was raised a Master Mason on Oct. 4 1939. He was a member of Moose River Lodge #82, F. & A.M., Concord, VT. He was born Mar. 15, 1900 and died at 43 years of age on Feb. 3, 1943. Let us always remember those valiant men, like the “four chaplains”, who have served our Country, and those who have given the ultimate sacrifice, so that we as proud Americans, can fly our Flag with pride and esteem.

Always remember the service personnel, Lost and harmed, while serving our Country.

God Bless them
And all service men and women
And God Bless America!
Fly “Old Glory” proudly.

By Brother Daniel J. Schultz, PGH
Masonic Historian