Four individuals’ selfless and brave acts on a fateful day in the cold Atlantic Ocean during World War II, continue to inspire military chaplain veterans, active military and families today.

When Army transport ship U.S.A.T. Dorchester sank on Feb, 3, 1943, killing 672 men, its four U.S. Navy chaplains—Lt. George L. Fox, Methodist; Lt. Alexander D. Goode, Jewish; Lt. John P. Washington, Roman Catholic; and Lt. Clark V. Poling, Dutch Reformed — removed their life jackets and gave them to four frightened young men. Remembered for their heroic actions, a foundation was established to tell the chaplains’ story and to promote interfaith cooperation and selfless service.

Shortly after the Dorchester sank, the American Legion and its honor society, the Forty and Eight (40&8), began a program to memorialize the Four Chaplains’ sacrifice, said Bob Schinaman, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served with the 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion in Vietnam during 1969. Wounded in action and medically retired due to injuries, Schinaman belongs to multiple veterans’ organizations and served as a veterans’ advocate.

He recounted the Four Chaplains Memorial Service’s history in Cincinnati: “The Hamilton County 40&8 Voiture 29 first held a Four Chaplains Memorial Service in 1974 at St. William Church, and then in 1975, through the efforts of Herman Holthaus and my father, William, the Memorial Service has been celebrated at St. Boniface. Sponsorship expanded over the years as numerous veterans’ organizations lent support. Bill and Herman continued the tradition, with my assistance, until their deaths in 1999.” Since then, Schinaman has been the main organizer of the yearly event at his home parish.

Since 1960, more than 100 active veterans’ organizations could be found within 20 miles of Cincinnati, said Schinaman.

“Each year from 1980 to 2010, the Four Chaplains Mass was the largest gathering of veterans and military color guards (40 or more veterans) in the Tri-state area. From 1985 to 2010 standing room only in church was common. Covid put a damper on attendance and ended the tradition of gathering for coffee and refreshments, but the memorial service is still well attended by 400 to 500 military men and women.”

On Saturday, Feb. 3 at 4 p.m., the 50th annual Four Chaplains Memorial Service will be celebrated at St. Boniface Church, presided over by former Navy chaplain Father Matthias Crehan, OFM.

Coming from a military family, Father Crehan is involved in parochial ministry in Greater Cincinnati. He says it is somewhat of a tradition for Franciscans to serve as military chaplains.

“I am a military guy, like St. Francis of Assisi and my father and grandfather,” said Father Crehan. “I want to serve God and country, and being a military chaplain fits into my scheme of serving the poor. Many military men and women are not rich kids and many of whom are Catholic.”

He also served more than 20 years at military training facilities and with Veterans Affairs.

While the annual gathering’s focus has been on the sacrifice of the Four Chaplains and both former and active military chaplains, Schinaman said the service also honors the sacrifices of every veteran, their widows or widowers, their orphans and the families who awaited their safe return.

“It is a chance for all present to pray for peace and the safety of active-duty military personnel,” Schinaman said. “I believe everyone in attendance leaves with a renewed or new appreciation of the prayer, the music, the memorial candle service and the military traditions of the color guards, the sounding of the ship’s bell and playing of ‘Taps.’”

For more information about the Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation, visit www.fourchaplains.org.

This article appeared in the January 2024 edition of The Catholic Telegraph Magazine. For your complimentary subscription, click here.