Four Chaplains of WWII

Join us as we salute IWU bravery and service, past and present, at the inaugural Four Chaplains Commemoration on February 3, 2026, where we’ll be honoring one of our most generous and selfless current alumni with the Four Chaplains Foundation Legion of Honor Humanitarian Award.

Tuesday, February 3, 2026 | 11 AM - 1 PM
Evelyn Chapel
1301 Park St
Bloomington, IL 61701

Register

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The Four Chaplains Story

On February 3, 1943, the USAT Dorchester, en route to Greenland from New York, was struck by three German torpedoes, just 150 miles shy of its destination. The vessel began rapidly sinking into the frigid North Atlantic Ocean. Dorchester was part of a convoy and carried 902 people - soldiers, merchant seamen, and civilian workers. Only 230 would survive.

The four military chaplains aboard (Lt. Alexander Goode, Lt. Clark Poling, Lt. John Washington, and Illinois Wesleyan University alumnus Lt. George Fox '31) began praying for those on the ship. They preached courage and calm for the living, and passed out life jackets amidst the panic. When there were no life jackets left, the chaplains removed their own and gave them to the next four men in line. In the chaos and the dark, only two of the 14 available lifeboats were successfully used to abandon ship. The chaplains stayed behind.

As the Dorchester sank, survivors in nearby rafts could see the Four Chaplains on the ship's deck, arms linked and voices carrying over the waves as they offered prayers and sang hymns. For their selflessness, humanity, and bravery, each of the Four Chaplains was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.

Established on February 3, 1951, the mission of The Four Chaplains Foundation is to "honor the memory of four extraordinary men and their act of supreme sacrifice during World War II." The foundation strives to promote the ideals of interfaith cooperation, selfless service, and unity in diversity through commemoration, education, and community outreach. 

In the noble spirit of the Four Chaplains, the Legion of Honor Awards were created by the Four Chaplains Foundation to publicly recognize and pay tribute to outstanding members of society "whose lives model the giving spirit and unconditional service to community, nation, and humanity." There are six honorable awards, including the Humanitarian Award, given in recognition of a lifetime commitment to selfless service, societal advancement, and just like IWU’s own Lt. George Fox ‘31, to Doing Well and Doing Good.