On Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, Kings County American Legion, 2nd District, Department of New York hosted a moving ceremony at the Brooklyn VA Medical Center of the VA New York Harbor Healthcare System in New York City to commemorate the 83rd anniversary of the Four Chaplains. The event gathered veterans, families and community members to honor one of the most poignant examples of interfaith brotherhood and sacrifice in American military history. As a native New Yorker and Brooklyn resident, I was privileged to witness this historic tribute.
The Immortal Sacrifice
The ceremony marked the sinking of USAT Dorchester, a troop transport ship carrying 902 men across the icy North Atlantic. On Feb. 3, 1943, a German U-boat torpedoed the vessel, plunging the crew into chaos.
Amidst the panic, four Army chaplains - Rev. George L. Fox (Methodist), Rabbi Alexander D. Goode (Jewish), Rev. Clark V. Poling (Reformed Church in America) and Father John P. Washington (Roman Catholic) - became a beacon of calm. Their actions that morning defined heroism:
• Guided disoriented soldiers through the darkened ship to lifeboats
• Distributed life jackets until the supply was exhausted
• Surrendered their own life jackets to four young soldiers who had none
Witnesses last saw the chaplains linked arm-in-arm on the slanting deck, praying and singing hymns in their respective traditions as the ship slipped beneath the waves.
Honoring the Legacy in Brooklyn
The Brooklyn VA Medical Center served as a fitting backdrop for the remembrance, as Goode was a native of Brooklyn. Local Legionnaires emphasized that the chaplains’ "service before self" remains the gold standard for leadership and unity today.
Their sacrifice was not just a historical event; it is a living reminder that our shared humanity transcends our differences in faith and background.
National Recognition
Though they did not meet the strict combat criteria for the Medal of Honor at the time, Congress authorized a one-of-a-kind Special Medal for Heroism in 1961, intended to carry the same weight and prestige. Each year, American Legion posts across the country, like those in Kings County, ensure the story of the "Immortal Chaplains" continues to inspire future generations of servicemembers.
For God and Country
