East Meadow in Nassau County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Four Immortal Chaplains
George L. Fox, Methodist Minister • Alexander D. Goode, Jewish Rabbi • Clark V. Poling, Dutch Reformed Minister • John P. Washington, Catholic Priest
During the early morning hours of February 3, 1943 the USAT Dorchester was part of a convoy of six ships heading for Greenland when an enemy U-boat attacked, firing a torpedo into the ship's midsection. The Dorchester quickly began taking on water, and the order was given to abandon ship. Four Army chaplains worked to pass out life vests until all the vests were gone. Without regard for their safety the four chaplains gave up their own life vests so others might be saved. These brave men of different faiths were last seen locked arm-in-arm on the ship's hull praying and singing hymns. They perished as the Dorchester slipped beneath the icy waters of the North Atlantic.
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • War, World II • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the The Four Chaplains series list. A significant day of the year for for this entry is May 31.
Location. 40° 44.025′ N, 73° 34.667′ W. Marker is in East Meadow, New York, in Nassau County. Memorial can be reached from Park Boulevard north of County Route 24. The marker is located just south of the Veterans Memorial Tower in Eisenhower Park, on the left side of the path that leads from the parking lot to the Memorial Plaza. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: East Meadow NY 11554, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Francis Cardinal Spellman (here, next to this marker); Catholic War Veterans Memorial (here, next to this marker); American Legion Auxiliary (a few steps from this marker); Battle of the Bulge Veterans Memorial (a few steps from this marker); 77th Infantry Division Reserve Veterans Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Jewish War Veterans Memorial (a few steps from this marker); 82nd Airborne Division (a few steps from this marker); African-American Veterans Memorial (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in East Meadow.
More about this marker. This marker is nearly identical to the ones in Hebron, MD, and Albany, NY.
Also see . . . Who Were The Four Chaplains?. Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation entry (Submitted on August 8, 2017.)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 27, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 8, 2017, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 271 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 8, 2017, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.