02/02/2024
Sourced from UIW News On Feb. 3, 1943, the U.S. Army Transport Dorchester traveling from New York to Greenland was torpedoed by a German U-boat in the Labrador Sea. The steamship was carrying 904 service members, including four U.S. Army Chaplains. In the time immediately following the blast, the four chaplains of various faith backgrounds worked to get others to safety, offered calming words and helped organize evacuations into lifeboats. When it became clear that there were not enough life jackets for those onboard, the four chaplains removed theirs, gave them to others, then linked arms and prayed together as the ship sank. Since then, Feb. 3 has been known as Four Chaplains Day and serves as an annual reminder of the work and sacrifice of those called to share God’s message or offer spiritual support in the U.S. Armed Forces.