 By
Roberto Rullan – AL Post 591
Fort Ord, CA – 02/03/06 - February 3, 2006 marked the
60th anniversary of the sinking of the USAT Dorchester. The
Monterey Peninsula community held a ceremony in honor of the
four U.S. Army Chaplains who perished in February 3, 1943 when
the USAT Dorchester was hit by a German torpedo in the North
Atlantic. According to military records, approximately 700 men
were killed. The ceremony was held at the Fort Ord Chapel.
The four chaplains, Chaplains George L. Fox (Methodist), Alexander
D. Goode (Jewish), Clark V. Poling (Reformed Church), and John
P. Washington (Catholic), are credited with saving more than
200 lives when they gave up their life jackets and their lives
when the Dorchester was sunk.
The four calmly issued life-belts to American servicemen aboard
the troop transport after it was torpedoed. When the supply
of life preservers was exhausted, the four chaplains removed
their own life belts and gave them to four soldiers. They then
stood on the sinking ship, arms around one another's shoulders
and their heads bowed in prayer.
Michael Ryan, Chaplain, American Legion 28th District, Department
of CA and former American Legion Post 591 commander organized
the interfaith memorial service held at the Fort Ord chapel.
Among those who attended the ceremonies were Chaplain Dick Johnson,
(US Army Retired), Chaplain William Greenebaum (US Army Retired),
Chaplain Gaston Jones, US Air Force and Chaplain Bob Lokkesmoe
(US Army Retired).
Each of the chaplains lighted a candle in honor of the Four
Chaplains. The Seaside High School JAROTC and the Boys Scouts
of America presented the colors lead by piper Michael Gillan.
The 311th T.R.S. Air Force Choir performed various musical selections.
Chaplain Gaston Jones opened the services with an invocation.
Among the guests and participants were Monterey County Supervisor
Jerry Smith, Seaside Mayor Ralph Rubio and American Legion District
28 commander Abel Quinones, members of the American Legion Riders
28th District, the Purple Heart Association and the Boys Scouts
of America .
Mayor Rubio presented a Proclamation declaring February 3rd
the Four Chaplains Day in the city of Seaside.
After the ceremonies a reception followed at the American Legion
Post 591 in Seaside. |
