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Soldiers from the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) and the U.S. Army Band, “Pershing’s Own,” conduct military funeral honors with funeral escort for U.S. Army Chaplain (1st Lt.) George Fox in Section 35 of Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, Sept. 4, 2024.
On Feb. 3, 1943, Fox was traveling aboard the U.S. Army Transport (USAT) Dorchester from Newfoundland to an American base in Greenland. One of three ships moving in a convoy, the USAT Dorchester was carrying 902 servicemen, merchant seamen and workers. Shortly after midnight, a German U-boat fired and struck the USAT Dorchester, killing many and wounding more.
In the resulting panic and chaos, four Army chaplains stepped up to calm the Soldiers: 1st Lt. George Fox, a Methodist; Lt. Alexander Goode, a Jewish Rabbi; Lt. John Washington, a Roman Catholic Priest; and Lt. Clark Poling, a Dutch Reformed minister. They provided comfort and helped the men get into lifeboats, giving some their own life jackets when supplies ran out.
All four chaplains remained on the USAT Dorchester as it sank. Survivors recounted seeing the chaplains on the deck, arms linked and offering prayers and singing hymns.
Afterwards, Congress wished to award the Medal of Honor to each of the chaplains, but stringent requirements (heroism performed under fire) prevented this. Instead, Congress authorized a Special Medal for Heroism, The Four Chaplains’ Medal, which President John F. Kennedy in 1961. This was the only time it was ever awarded.
This was a memorial funeral service as Fox’s remains were never recovered. A memorial marker for Fox is located in Memorial Section F at ANC. Fox’s granddaughter, Lisa Hirbour, received the U.S. flag from her grandfather’s service.
(U.S. Army photo by Elizabeth Fraser / Arlington National Cemetery / released)
| Date Taken: | 09.04.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 09.06.2024 12:53 |
| Photo ID: | 8627165 |
| VIRIN: | 240904-A-IW468-4727 |
| Resolution: | 7657x5105 |
| Size: | 16.23 MB |
| Location: | ARLINGTON, US |
| Web Views: | 37 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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