Sebastian in Indian River County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Four Immortal Chaplains
Photographed by Brandon D Cross
1. Four Immortal Chaplains Marker
At 12:55 am on February 3, 1943, a German torpedo struck the USAT Dorchester transporting soldiers in the North Atlantic during World War II. Twelve of the fourteen lifeboats were unusable and there were not enough life jackets for the frantic soldiers. Rabbi Alexander Goode, Rev. George L. Fox, Rev. Clark V. Poling and Father John P. Washington gave their life jackets to others.
Remaining onboard, the Chaplains offered solace to the frightened men. Their actions saved lives. Soldiers, who survived, tell of the Four Chaplains, each of different faith, standing arm in arm, praying and singing as the ship vanished beneath the waves.
Posthumously, each Chaplain was awarded the Distinguished Cross and the Purple Heart for heroism. In 1948, the U.S. Postal Service issued a commemorative stamp, citing their bravery as "Interfaith in Action."
Only 230 of 902 Americans survived this tragedy.
February 2009
Erected 2009 by Indian River County Historical Society, Four Chaplains Monument
this page online
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • War, World II • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Distinguished Service Cross/Navy Cross/Air Force Cross Recipients, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, and the The Four Chaplains series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is February 3, 1943.
Location. 27° 48.504′ N, 80° 27.84′ W. Memorial is in Sebastian, Florida, in Indian River County. It is at the intersection of U.S. 1 and County Route 512, on the right when traveling south on U.S. 1. The marker stands in Riverview Park on the east side. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 600 U.S Highway 1, Sebastian FL 32958, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this memorial is in Florida’s Space Coast. It is also in the American South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the territory of
Photographed by Brandon D Cross
2. Four Immortal Chaplains Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: POW ★ MIA (here, next to this marker); Revolutionary War Patriots (a few steps from this marker); Lest We Forget (a few steps from this marker); The Four Chaplains Monument (a few steps from this marker); Combat Wounded Veterans (a few steps from this marker); William Bartram Trail (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); War Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Archie Smith Wholesale Co., Inc. (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sebastian.
Also see . . .
1. The Four Chaplains - Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation and Chapel. (Submitted on March 14, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. No Greater Glory: The Four Chaplains and the Sinking of the USAT Dorchester. (Submitted on March 14, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
3. The Story of the Four Chaplains. (Submitted on March 14, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
Photographed by Wikipedia Commons
3. Lieutenant John P. Washington
Photographed by Wikipedia Commons
4. Captain George L. Fox
Photographed by Wikipedia Commons
5. Lieutenant Clark V. Poling
Photographed by Wikipedia Commons
6. Lieutenant Alexander Goode
1948
7. Four Immortal Chaplains postage stamp
Credits. This page was last revised on March 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 14, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 226 times since then and 37 times this year. Last updated on March 16, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on March 14, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. 7. submitted on March 15, 2025. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
