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| Chaplain (LTC) Larry Barber addresses the LR Civitan Club for Clergy Day. Barber is a staff chaplain with the 90th Regional Readiness Command with the U.S. Army Reserve. |
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Honoring the Four Chaplains
George L. Fox
Alexander D. Goode
Clark V. Poling
John P. Washington |
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| The Dorchester sank beneath the icy waters of the North Atlantic, carrying with it the four chaplains and some 675 servicemen. |
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| Little Rock Civitan |
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| Clergy Appreciation Week |
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By Maj. Keith Dover
Commander, 46th MHD
On Feb. 3, 1943, when the U.S.S. Dorchester, a U.S. Army transport ship, cut through the frigid waters of the North Atlantic carrying 905 servicemen, merchant seamen, and civilian workers from Newfoundland to Greenland to support the wartime effort. Little did they know their mission would soon be cut short as they encountered the treacherous waters infested with Nazi submarines.
Just a few hours short of its destination, the Dorchester was hit by a torpedo from a Nazi submarine that had been following the vessel undetected. Many of them were trapped below deck and died instantly when the torpedo hit. Those surviving the initial blast fell half awake from their bunks, and began to make their way to the upper deck. The ship began to list starboard, and since distress flares were prohibited for security reasons, other escort ships continued in the darkness unaware the Dorchester had been hit. Overcrowded lifeboats capsized while many of the ship’s rafts drifted away before anyone could reach them.
Four men of God helped to quiet the panic and fear of the World War II soldiers aboard, as their sinking ship left its mark engraved on the minds of all who hear their story of brotherly love and sacrifice -- and the power of faith -- in a moment of tragedy. Amongst the confusion and terror of the incident, Army Chaplains George L. Fox, Alexander D. Goode, Clark V. Poling and John P. Washington moved about, calming frightened and bewildered soldiers while directing them to lifeboats. The chaplains distributed life jackets without regard for their own safety, and suddenly came upon four young soldiers without life vests. The chaplains hastily stripped off their own vests and gave them to the young soldiers.
The four men of God (one Catholic, one Jewish and two Protestant) had given their only means of saving themselves in order to save others. Those rowing away from the sinking ship in lifeboats saw the chaplains clinging to each other on the listing deck. Their arms were linked together as their heads were bowed praying to the one God whom each of them loved and served. The Dorchester sank beneath the icy waters of the North Atlantic, carrying with it the four chaplains and some 675 servicemen.
And so these four men - Protestant, Catholic, Jew, from four different towns - the country boy from Vermont; the city boy from Washington; the slum kid from Newark; and the parson’s son from New York City - met on the Dorchester. It was a rendezvous with death - but it was also a rendezvous with God and their voices rose above the cold, black churning water: “Our Father . . . which art in heaven . . . hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on Earth as it is in heaven.” The hand of God plucked these four men from their parishes and set them together in an act of heroism that still inspires today.
Every year in the first week of February, Civitans nationwide pause to remember, to say thank you to the clergy of all faiths in their communities. Clergy Appreciation Week is a significant event throughout North America, appreciated by both the local community and the clergy honored on this special occasion.
The idea for Clergy Week is to help promote world brotherhood and religious understanding among all people, regardless of religious persuasion. It is a time when we can reflect upon our individual religious beliefs and to promote an understanding and acceptance of the rights of others to participate in a religion different from our own. It is a time to show appreciation for ministers, rabbis and priests of God who serve their local community.
The week has been sponsored by Civitan clubs since 1960 when the Albuquerque Breakfast Civitan Club (Albuquerque, New Mexico) first set aside the week to honor its community clergy. Since then Civitan clubs have spread this idea to countless other communities.
Chaplain Larry Barber, deputy staff chaplain for the 90th RSC, was chosen as the Civitan speaker not only to help the commemorate the Four Chaplains, but for his ties to the military and the current operations on the War on Terrorism. During his address, Barber addressed the concerns of military service members and their loved ones.
“Our ministry in the military is a ‘ministry of presence,’ bringing God to soldiers and soldiers to God,” said Barber. “Only a small portion of the Chaplains’ ministry takes place within the four walls of a chapel building. I have performed worship services as early as 5:30 a.m., and as late as 11:30 p.m., but I have also been on an artillery gun line at 1:30 a.m. talking with soldiers.”
Barber also spoke about the relevancy of the U.S. Army Chaplaincy Program, which is not portrayed in society today, such as on television programs like MASH featuring Father McCauhey. “We don’t perform services for all faith groups; however, we have an obligation to ensure religious freedom to all members of the command,” Barber said. “We are ministers of specific faith groups and must remain faithful to our own faith teachings. An Army chaplain cannot be required to perform religious duties which counter their own religious beliefs.”
Chaplains as Staff Officers
It is also the responsibility of the chaplain to keep the commander advised on matters of religion relating to morality and ethics, and also serves as the commander’s adviser on indigenous religions within an area of operations.
“The Army in a sense does expect the chaplain to exercise a prophetic role. Not in foretelling, but in forth telling,” said Barber. “The chaplain should be conscious of the unit. When an ethical issue surfaces, the first question asked is, ‘where was the chaplain?’” Like Nathan when he came to David in 2 Samuel 12:1, sometimes it is the job of the Chaplain to say, “Thou art the one.”
Although tensions sometimes arise when chaplains are torn between performing in the staff officer role and minister, they must realize they are more than a morale support officer, equal employment opportunity officer, or even a counselor. They are all a pastor.
Facts about the Chaplaincy
The Army Chaplaincy is the oldest of the American Military Chaplaincies, predating the Declaration of Independence by almost a year. The Second Continental Congress authorized chaplains for the Army on July 29, 1775. Currently, there are some 1,280 active duty chaplains, 557 USAR/AGR chaplains, and 599 ARNG chaplains.
Although Chaplains are non-combatants and do not carry weapons where they go with soldiers, they have served in 36 wars and 242 major combat engagements. Under the Geneva Convention, if chaplains are captured, they are supposed to be treated as detainees and not as POWs.
From 1861-1975, six chaplains were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. Some 3,400 other Chaplains have received combat decorations, including 27 Distinguished Service Crosses; 44 Silver Stars; 67 Legions of Merit; 719 Bronze Stars; and 109 Purple Hearts.
WWII marked the greatest transformation of the Chaplain Corps in two centuries. From 140 Regular Army chaplains on active duty in 1941, the Corps expanded to include 8,141 chaplains on active duty in August, 1945, along with the construction of 1,532 cantonment chapels during the war.
Chaplains of Distinction
Chaplains have traditionally provided noteworthy leadership for the government and for their religious denominations after their military service. Andrew Hunter, who served in both the American Revolution and the War of 1812, became one of the founders of the U.S. Naval Academy.
Chaplain Andrew Baldwin was a signer of the Constitution of the United States. Chaplain Edward Neil was a private secretary to both Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson, and later served as Consul to Dublin. Chaplain William Pile became governor of New Mexico, a U.S. Congressman, and later a minister to Venezuela. Dr. Issac Tichenor was a college president in Alabama and later secretary of the Baptist Home Mission Board in Atlanta. He was credited with helping organize 10,000 churches in his lifetime.
Chaplains have served as college or university presidents at several institutions, including Yale University, Randolph-Mason University, University of Auburn, Emory University, University of Notre Dame, University of Georgia, and Illinois State University.
Less than three weeks following the terrorist attacks on America, Barber met with members of the 46th Military History Detachment before their pre-dawn departure to Washington, D.C. (Military District of Washington) as part of “Operation Noble Eagle.”
His words of strength, comfort, and encouragement in such an unprecedented time in our nation’s history were indeed a blessing to those traveling away from home so soon after the attacks, and according to Barber, were “just part of the job and something he was glad to be able to do.”
You can reach Barber at the 90th RSC Headquarters (800) 501-1493. If you want to learn more about the story of the Four Chaplains and why it’s observed annually, please visit the public relations link at www.civitan.org.
Greater love hath no man that this: A man gives his life for another. John 15:13
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