This print was created to commemorate the courage of the Four Chaplains who perished while rescuing civilians and military personnel following the torpedo attack on the SS Dorchester in 1943, during what is considered the second-worst maritime attack that occurred in World War II. During their rescue efforts, the multi-denominational Chaplains helped service members and civilians to rescue boats, eventually relinquishing their life jackets when the supply eventually ran out. As the civilian transport ship that had been converted to military service began to sink, the four chaplains joined arms, said prayers, and sang religious songs before they eventually went down with the ship.
This event was one of the most galvanizing moments of the early part of World War II, and the media heavily covered the honorable actions of the clergyman as a stark foil to the actions of the Axis forces, who had brazenly attacked a ship they knew was transporting civilians, including women and children. The Four Chaplains included Methodist Minister Reverand George L. Fox, Reform Rabbi Alexander D. Goode, Catholic priest Father John P. Washington, and Reformed Church in America minister the Reverend Clark V. Poling, whose backgrounds were as diverse as their religious philosophies, though all had served as leaders in the Boy Scouts of America.
They were nominated for the Medal of Honor, though, because they did not engage in combat with the enemy. Instead, they received a medal created for them with the same weight and importance as the Medal of Honor.
This print was created to commemorate the courage of the Four Chaplains who perished while rescuing civilians and military personnel following the torpedo attack on the SS Dorchester in 1943, during what is considered the second-worst maritime attack that occurred in World War II. During their rescue efforts, the multi-denominational Chaplains helped service members and civilians to rescue boats, eventually relinquishing their life jackets when the supply eventually ran out. As the civilian transport ship that had been converted to military service began to sink, the four chaplains joined arms, said prayers, and sang religious songs before they eventually went down with the ship.
This event was one of the most galvanizing moments of the early part of World War II, and the media heavily covered the honorable actions of the clergyman as a stark foil to the actions of the Axis forces, who had brazenly attacked a ship they knew was transporting civilians, including women and children. The Four Chaplains included Methodist Minister Reverand George L. Fox, Reform Rabbi Alexander D. Goode, Catholic priest Father John P. Washington, and Reformed Church in America minister the Reverend Clark V. Poling, whose backgrounds were as diverse as their religious philosophies, though all had served as leaders in the Boy Scouts of America.
They were nominated for the Medal of Honor, though, because they did not engage in combat with the enemy. Instead, they received a medal created for them with the same weight and importance as the Medal of Honor.