Copiague in Suffolk County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Four Chaplains Memorial

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, October 1, 2016

1. Four Chaplains Memorial Marker

Inscription. Honoring the Four Heroic Chaplains who gave their life jackets so that four soldiers might live. The S.S. Dorchester was torpedoed February 3, 1943. As it sank, the four were seen linked arm in arm, heads uplifted in prayer.

[The top panel is inscribed:]
Brotherhood
One nation, under God, indivisible,
with liberty & justice for all

[The main body of the marker is illustrated with portraits of each of the chaplains, along with their religious affiliation. They are: Lt. G.L. Fox, Protestant; Lt. J.P. Washington, Catholic; Lt. C.V. Poling, Protestant; Lt. A.D. Goode, Jewish. Between them all is a representation of the Special Medal for Heroism awarded to them by Congress in 1961.]

Erected 2015.

Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the The Four Chaplains series list. A significant historical date for this entry is February 3, 1943.

Location. 40° 40.875′ N, 73° 23.982′ W. Marker is in Copiague, New York, in Suffolk County. Memorial is at the intersection of Great Neck Road and Marconi Boulevard, on the right when traveling north on Great Neck Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Copiague NY 11726, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within

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walking distance of this marker. American Warrior (Copiague World War I Memorial) (a few steps from this marker); Copiague World War I Immigrant Memorial (a few steps from this marker); South Side R.R. (within shouting distance of this marker); Babylon Railroad Co. Trolley Route (approx. 0.2 miles away); Great Neck Road School (approx. ¼ mile away); Naomi W. Griffiths (approx. 0.6 miles away); Drive-In Theatre (approx. 0.7 miles away); Suffolk County (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Copiague.

More about this memorial. This is, as of submission date, one of ten such markers (including this one), dedicated to honoring the Four Chaplains. This marker is identical with the one in Poland, Ohio.

Regarding Four Chaplains Memorial. Of the 902 men aboard the Dorchester, 672 died, leaving 230 survivors.

Also see . . .
1. The Story. The Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation entry (Submitted on October 18, 2016.)

2. The Four Chaplains: Sacrifice at Sea. YouTube video, 38 minutes (Submitted on October 18, 2016.)

Four Chaplains Memorial Marker - Wide View image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, October 1, 2016

2. Four Chaplains Memorial Marker - Wide View

This is a north-looking view of Copiague's Veteran's Memorial Plaza, showing the Four Heroic Chaplains Memorial, as well as two other war memorials in the background.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 18, 2016, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 322 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 18, 2016, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.