Brief Background of the Four Chaplains
Father John Washington was from a big Irish Catholic immigrant family in New Jersey. At age 12, near death from a throat infection, he was given last rites. Miraculously he recovered.
He told his sister: "God must have something special for me to do."
Alexander Goode came from a long line of rabbis. He remembered standing in Arlington National Cemetery at age 10 watching through tear-filled eyes the Unknown Soldier being laid to rest.
After Pearl Harbor he left his temple in York, Pennsylvania, requesting overseas duty.
Clark Poling, a minister in the Dutch Reformed Church, had turned down a law career to carry on his family's seven-generation heritage of religious service.
"Don't pray for my safe return," he told his father before embarking on the Dorchester. "Pray that I do my duty."
"Old man" of the four was George Fox, who had received the Silver Star, Purple Heart and France's Croix de Guerre in World War I. On returning home, he entered seminary. Ordained a Methodist minister, he served a circuit of small Vermont churches until December 7, 1941.
"I must go," he told his wife. "I know what these boys are facing."
Empathy with the troops came naturally to the four chaplains. They became highly popular, mixing easily with all faiths, counseling, organizing entertainment and praying.
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