February 3, 1943. Four U.S. Army Chaplains die after giving up their life jackets to save others. At 12:55 am, the The Dorchester, a 5,649 ton civilian liner, is torpedoed by the German submarine U-223 off Newfoundland in the North Atlantic.

 

 

The torpedo knocks out the Dorchester's electrical system, leaving the ship dark. Panic sets in among the men on board, many of them trapped below decks. The chaplains calm the men and organize an orderly evacuation of the ship, and help guide wounded men to safety. As life jackets are passed out to the men, the supply runs out before each man has one.

 

 

The chaplains help others board lifeboats and give up their own life jackets when the supply runs out. The chaplains join arms, say prayers, and sing hymns as they go down with the ship.

 

“As I swam away from the ship, I looked back. The flares had lighted everything. The bow came up high and she slid under. The last thing I saw, the Four Chaplains were up th