Chaplains

BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo.-- A stained glass window at the Pentagon Chapel depicts the four chaplins who sacrificed themselves to save others onboard the U.S. Army Transport, The Dorchester, after it was torpedoed by a German submarine Feb. 3, 1943. Chaplains of different faiths, Lt. George L. Fox, Lt. Alexander D. Goode, Lt. Clark V. Poling and Lt. John P. Washington were all aboard the vessel as it sank. They handed out life vests to those who did not have them, even giving up their own life vests when supplies ran out. As the ship sank, survivors from the lifeboats saw the chaplains link arms with their heads bowed. Survivors from the ship heard the chaplains praying in different langauages. These chalpains made the ultimate sacrfice, praying together despite their different religious beliefs. The stained glass window depicts the four chaplains in the clouds above the sinking ship with a life ring floating in the water depicting the ship's name, The Dorchester. (U.S. Pentagon)