On February 3, 1943 the U.S.S. Dorchester, an army transport vessel, was sunk by a German U-Boat. The four Army Chaplains helped get people to the lifeboats in an orderly fashion, and gave up their life jackets so others could live. In December 1944 the four were posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and the Purple Heart. February 3 was declared Four Chaplain's Day by Congress in 1948.
The Four Chaplains were:
All held the rank of Lieutenant.
The Four Chaplains were:
- Reverend George L. Fox
- Rabbi Alexander D. Goode
- Reverend Clark Poling
- Father John P. Washington
All held the rank of Lieutenant.