Southeast -- The year was 1943 when four members of the clergy serving
with the military in World War II gave up their life jackets so enlisted men could live and went down with their ship in the
North Atlantic.
Each year, veterans across Putnam County remember the four brave clergymen
by conducting the annual Four Chaplain Memoiral program.
On Monday, two dozen veterans gathered at the American Legion
Argonne Brewster Post No. 71 in Southeast to reflect on the valiant men.
Historians recall 1st Lieutenant Clark Poling, a Schenctady ministar from
the Reformed Church of America, Rabbi Alexander Goode of Brooklyn, Father John Washington, a Roman Catholic priest fron New
Jersey and the Rev. George Fox, a Methodist minister from Pennsylvania as "true American heroes" for turning their
equipment over to others after their ship, USS Dorchester, was topedoed just after midnight on Feb 3rd, 65 years ago this week.
Historians recall the missile exploded in the ship's boiler room
destroying the electric supply and releasing suffocating clouds of steam and ammonia gas. Many on board died instantly.
Some were trapped below. Others, jolted from their bunks, groped and stumbled their way to the decks of the stricken ship.
The boat began taking water and began to list starboard. Overcrowed lifeboats
capsized. Men clung to the rails frozen with fear.
Survivors told of the miraculious order and the only fragment of
hope came from the Four Chaplains who calmly guided the men to their boat stations. When the supply of life jackets was exhausted
survivors watched in awe at the chaplains, one by one, gave away their own life jackets in order to save others. The
chaplains gathered togethered the men around them in prayer. They linked their arms together in brotherhood and bowed their
heads as they sank beneath the waves.
Ed Malicoat, American Legion, Department of New York Vice
Commander, who attended the special service called the chaplains " American heroes." One witness called the action.
The finest thing he had ever seen this side of heaven."
Father Rees Doughty of St. Lawrence O'Toole repersented Washington
at the ceremony while Steven Haggerty of the First United Methodist Church reperesented Fox. Donald Seifert of Temple
Beth Elohim repersented Goode and American Legion member Art Kierman repersented Poling.
