Methodist Pastor Among Four WWII Hero Chaplains on 80th Anniversary of Deaths

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Special to United Methodist Insight

The USAT Dorchester was merely 90 miles from its intended destination in Greenland when a German torpedo obliterated the transport ship’s starboard side, instantly killing a multitude of soldiers and civilians onboard. Many of the men who survived the blast descended into panic, convinced they would become the latest casualties of World War II. But on that fateful morning of Feb. 3, 1943, the ship’s four chaplains remained calm. They knew what they had to do.

Amid the pandemonium, Lt. Father John P. Washington, a Catholic priest; Lt. Alexander D. Goode, a rabbi; Lt. George L. Fox, a Methodist minister; and Lt. Clark V. Poling, a Dutch Reformed minister; rushed to comfort the distressed, offering words of encouragement and absolution. They eventually began distributing lifejackets but soon ran out. So, they did the unthinkable — they gave up their own. They were last seen linked arm-in-arm in prayer as the ship went down, becoming four of the 672 deaths that resulted from the Dorchester’s sinking.

In the years that followed, the Four Chaplains — as they are universally known — have received posthumous military honors and countless tributes from organizations across the U.S. heralding them as heroes. But during a Mass commemorating the 80th anniversary of their deaths at St. Stephen’s Church in Kearny, Archdiocese of Newark Auxiliary Bishop Gregory J. Studerus pointed out that the men’s actions are defined by more than their heroism. Their sacrifice, he said, was actually the ultimate act of faith — and an example for everyone to follow.

“Most of us will never die a hero’s death… But all of us are called by the idea of faith to, day in and day out, give of ourselves,” Bishop Studerus said in his homily. “Day in and day out we look for ways of being generous, ways of being kind, ways of reaching out and touching the heart of those who are sad and mourning, reaching out and touching those who are oppressed. And sometimes (we go) as far as far as the ones we honor today, giving our lives because of faith.” 

The Four Chaplains’ demonstration of faith has long been an inspiration for St. Stephen’s Church, where Father Washington last served as an associate pastor before entering the U.S. Army. The parish — which the Archdiocese of Newark designated as the official Sanctuary of the Four Chaplains in 2016 — has gone to great lengths to further the Four Chaplains’ legacy, from launching a scholarship program in their name to commissioning a 12-foot, 2,000-pound bronze monument from internationally renowned sculptor Timothy Schmalz.

It has also held a Mass commemorating the anniversary of their deaths for decades, with this year’s 80th anniversary liturgy attracting a particularly large turnout. Parishioners, relatives of those killed on the Dorchester, and other dignitaries like former Gov. Jim McGreevey filled the church for the Mass, which began with a presentation of colors involving multiple veterans’ organizations. Following Bishop Studerus’ homily, the St. Columcille United Gaelic Pipe Band performed a stirring rendition of “Amazing Grace.” Afterward, Boy Scout troops from as far as Ohio received special Four Chaplains patches after completing an educational program designed by St. Stephen’s Boy Scout Unit 305.

Organizing all these tribute initiatives is a lot of work, but St. Stephen’s pastor, Father Joe Mancini, said honoring the Four Chaplains is worth the effort. At a time when athletes are admired for the amount of money they make, Father Mancini said it is important that people are reminded what real role models are. They were no different than anyone else, Father Mancini said, but the benevolence they showed in their sacrifice is a quality for which everyone should aspire.

“The Four Chaplains did something without hesitation that a lot of us would at least pause to think about before doing,” Father Mancini said. “They selflessly acted out of faith in God and a need to help others. They were true heroes, and it’s important to look to them at a time when so many people are only thinking about themselves.”

But as inspiring as their example is, Father Mancini said the passage of time makes it harder and harder to keep the Four Chaplains in the public consciousness. That is another reason why St. Stephen’s champions the four men’s legacy, he said — to keep their story in the forefront of people’s minds. And he hopes everyone who attended the Mass will do the same.

Mark Auerbach shares that wish. Auerbach, a cousin of Rabbi Goode’s, has been working tirelessly to spread the Four Chaplains story for the past 70 years — ever since he made a promise to his father to do so as a five-year-old. But his commitment comes not just from a sense of family obligation. Auerbach, who displayed his extensive collection of Four Chaplains artifacts at the Mass, believes the world needs to learn about the chaplains because they embody the best characteristics of humanity.

“They were men of God by profession, and they truly lived up to their job description,” said Auerbach, adding that the chaplains did not just save members of their own religion. “If all the people on the Dorchester were lining up in front of the Four Chaplains to get things based on religion, the line in front of Rabbi Goode would’ve been the shortest. They gave their lifejackets to whoever needed them. They died because they were committed to their fellow man.”

Auerbach was not the only one at the Mass with a personal connection to the Four Chaplains. Paul Fried — Rabbi Goode’s son-in-law — was also in attendance, as were several members of Father Washington’s family. Relatives of those who died onboard the Dorchester were present, too.

Joan Holle traveled all the way from Spring Lake Heights to pay tribute to her grandfather Edward, who has a unique connection to the Four Chaplains. Not only was Edward Holle a civilian shipping worker onboard the Dorchester, but he was also a parishioner of St. Stephen’s who was well-acquainted with Father Washington. Joan Holle recalled that her grandfather wrote a letter to her grandmother describing how happy he was to find a priest from his hometown onboard the Dorchester. He also described the fun the men had singing as part of talent shows Father Washington organized on the ship, something he also did at his parish.  

Eight decades later, Joan Holle is grateful that St. Stephen’s is still honoring her grandfather and everyone else who died on the Dorchester. Having grown up with the Four Chaplains’ story, she said it is always surprising to her that more people do not know about it. Theirs is a legacy worth remembering, she said.

“It’s really a beautiful story, and it’s still getting told,” Joan Holle said. “Father Washington died before I was born, but I feel like I know him because I’ve heard so much about him. And I told my students about him when I was teaching. Father Washington is still making a difference in so many people’s lives.”

Michael C. Gabriele is also very familiar with the Four Chaplains. A veteran journalist, Gabriele has written numerous articles about their sacrifice for publications like the Catholic Advocate and New Jersey Monthly. For him, the most interesting aspect of their story was the fact it occurred at a time when members of different faiths did not typically mix. One would not normally see a Catholic, a Jew, and two Protestants become friends in the 1940s, he pointed out, but the Four Chaplains became very close onboard the Dorchester — ultimately choosing to die together in service to others.

“This is a classic interfaith story,” Gabriele said. “They were four men of different faiths, but they were all on the same team, all on the same page. It shows religious differences are not that hard to overcome, especially when there’s a common cause.”

Perhaps no one can appreciate the Four Chaplains’ sacrifice better than the veterans who participated in the Mass. They included Marine Corps veteran Gary Cocchia, who found their example uniquely admirable. Cocchia pointed out that soldiers are usually the ones who risk their lives to protect others, but the chaplains made the ultimate sacrifice in this case.

For Air Force veteran Carlton Rhodes, the Four Chaplains’ story is a simple case of good people doing the right thing.

“They all acted together as one in the faith for the good of humanity,” Rhodes said. “That’s how everyone should be.”

To learn more about the Four Chaplains and St. Stephen’s Church, visit https://ststephenkearny.com/father-washington.

Sean Quinn serves as communications director for the Archdiocese of Newark, NJ.