The American Legion 9th District Commander Joseph Motes and Post 385 gives his life jacket to Sea Cadet Nicholas Hauser from Coral Glades HS in Coral Springs . They were part of a celebration of the 66th anniversary of "The Four Chaplains" and 672 heroes of the ship USAT Dorchester that was sunk off of Greenland in 1943.

( Nicholas R. Von Staden, Sun Sentinel / February 15, 2009 )

Joseph Motes from Post 385 of the American Legion 9th District throws a wreath over the stern of the US Coast Guard Cutter Gannet at their Station in John Lloyd Park, Dania Beach . The celebration was of the 66th anniversary of "The Four Chaplains" and the 672 heroes of the USAT Dorchester that was sunk in WWII of the coast of Greenland Feb. 3. 1943.

Dania Beach service honors Four Chaplains of WWII

On sinking ship, they gave away their life jackets

By John Holland | South Florida Sun-Sentinel

February 16, 2009

HOLLYWOOD - They stood at attention in the hot sun to honor four men they never knew and an act of courage they hope is never forgotten.

Sixty-six years have passed since four U.S. Army chaplains — a Catholic priest, a rabbi and two Protestant pastors — gave their lives trying to save soldiers and Marines aboard the USAT Dorchester . But the memorials continue nationwide, including the one Sunday in John U. Lloyd Beach State Park .

A German submarine struck the transport ship in the icy North Atlantic waters off Greenland on Feb. 3, 1943 , sinking the vessel with its 902 passengers and crew in just 27 minutes.

As hundreds of young soldiers panicked and raced for lifeboats and vests, Rabbi Alexander D. Goode, Father John P. Washington and the Revs. George L. Fox and Clark V. Poling stayed aboard, handing out life vests and providing calming voices in the hysteria. When no more vests remained, the chaplains — all lieutenants — removed their own and passed them along, sealing their deaths but creating an enduring legacy.

Crews of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutters Comanche and Escanaba scrambled for survivors but, in the end, 672 people were killed, many frozen to death clinging to the oars of crowded lifeboats.

"Those four chaplains assured themselves a seat in heaven, that's for sure," said Patrick Campbell, 80, of Pompano Beach , who was a Marine corporal in the final days of World War II. He served on the honor guard Sunday, shifting his feet under the bright sun during the 60-minute ceremony but never easing up. "It was a selfless act, and that's why we're all here."

The gathering at the U.S. Coast Guard Station was one of dozens around the country.

In 1943, the chaplains quickly became national heroes, particularly as some of the 230 survivors recounted seeing the four on the bow, holding hands and praying for the troops as the ship sank into the water. Survivor after survivor had similar tales of the four men. All four were awarded the Purple Heart and the Distinguished Service Cross and, in 1948, the U.S. Post Office Department issued a stamp in their honor.

Sunday's event was sponsored by the American Legion , 9th District, out of Broward County, with a reception afterward at Post 304 in Dania Beach.

"Any time you have people giving up their lives to save others, it's always special," said John Vazquez of Dania Beach , who serves as the commander of the guard. "It's days like this that remind us not only of their heroics, but the men and women fighting for all of us in Iraq and Afghanistan today."

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For the story of the Four Chaplains, go to http://www.fourchaplains.org/