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No Greater Glory: The Four Immortal Chaplains and the Sinking of the Dorchester in World War II

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With a sickening thump, an explosion wracked the troop transport S.S. Dorchester - a German torpedo had found its mark. It was shortly after midnight, February 3, 1942, and the ship was about to sink into the deadly cold waters off of Greenland. As men panicked and struggled to find a way to save their own lives, four men walked amongst them spreading calm and encouragement. Helping everyone they could find, even giving away their own precious lifejackets, the four chaplains - Rev. George Lansing Fox (Methodist), Rabbi Alex Goode, Rev. Clark Poling (Dutch Reformed) and Fr. John Washington (Catholic) - sought to serve their God and the fellow men. And when the end came, survivors saw the four chaplains, locked arm in arm, praying on the upside-down hull of the ship, just before it dove beneath the waves.

This book tells the remarkable true story of four men who joined the American military as chaplains, their experiences at their Massachusetts training camp, and their final tragic mission. It is a story that is bound to bring a tear to your eye, but it is also a great story of faith and truly living the life of godly sacrifice. Overall, I think that this is a great book, on that I highly recommend to everyone.

Everyone who's already reviewed this book has said so much about it that it's hard to find anything more to say about how well it's written, what a great gripping true story it is, and the amazing heroism of the four chaplains. This book is so well-written and has such a compelling and involving story that I read it in like two days, and wished there had been even more. Additionally, this heroic tale from WWII has special meaning to many of the people in my area (New York State's Capital District) because Rev. Clark Poling's church was in nearby Schenectady, providing a local connection.

The book itself follows a somewhat nonlinear format, going back and forth between the pre-war lives of the four chaplains and their lives during the war, particularly after they boarded the Dorchester and arrived in Greenland for a very brief stay before going back on the ill-fated ship. After this point, the narrative switches entirely to a linear format, discussing the ship's final night before being torpedoed by a German U-boat and the chaos, heroism, and tragedy that ensued. Not many people could honestly say that they would give up their lifejackets if their ship went down in freezing waters in the middle of the night (Rabbi Alex Goode even gave up his gloves) or remain calm in the midst of such frantic circumstances and such a life-and-death situation. Many people back then also weren't so forward-thinking about interfaith relations, with a Reform rabbi, a Catholic priest, and two reverends from different Protestant denominations being such close friends and reaching out equally to everyone on the ship, largely being nonsectarian apart from when they did things like conduct services. This was still an era in which many Protestants and Catholics didn't associate with one another, to say nothing of the rampant institutionalised prejudice against Jews, and, in a number of areas, against Catholics as well. They set a moving and heroic example for all time, not just in the area of interfaith relations, but also in the area of selfless sacrifice. It was interesting to read in the Afterword about some of the people who have since been awarded the Immortal Chaplains Prize for Humanity Award, such as the Japanese Righteous Gentile Chiune Sugihara, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and Omri Abdel-Halim al-Jadah, a Palestinian Muslim who died while saving a young Israeli Jewish boy from drowning. The Afterword also provided information on what happened to the survivors of the Dorchester sinking and the near and dear ones of the chaplains.

As we find out all throughout the book, this tragedy could have been prevented (it was kind of like a smaller-scale Titanic) if only the Dorchester had been inspected more closely or refurbished, or if there had been enough lifejackets and safety instructions provided, and even after disaster struck, the casualties could have been reduced if the nearby American ships had begun searching for survivors and bringing them onto their ships right away instead of thinking nothing serious had happened or going after the attacking U-boat first, but even in the midst of such bungling and such a chaotic disaster, the amazing heroism of the chaplains shone through as well as it would have in calmer circumstances.

I became intrigued by this story when I was no moare than 10. I was a stamp collector and came into the possession of the stam honoring the four. In those very pre-internet days and in a very small town with few resources I was only able to learn a small amount of the story. Since then there were pieces here and there but it was not until this book that the whole story was made available to me.
I was almost uable to put this book down once I started. It's well written. It's abook that you can read for factual historical content or faith and inspiration. The story of the four chaplains is one of the many little known inspiring and interestng stories of World War Two. Don't pass this book over thinking it is just another relilgous book. It is much more.
In this day and age when we hand out superlatives like they were penny candy, the story of the Chaplains and the sinking of the Dorchester is an almost must read not just for people of faith, but all people.

I began reading when quite young, so when I began first grade my teacher made special arrangements for me to go to the library by myself. For a half hour every day, I got to curl up in a window seat with a good book, and I never left without an armful to take home with me. That library time was so special, and the librarian, Sr. Vianney, always welcomed me with a terrific smile. She was absolutely wonderful to me. I was nine and in the fourth grade when the Dorchester went down. The day after the sinking, my second grade teacher got me out of class to tell me about the chaplains and their heroic generosity. The priest had been Sr. Vianney's brother. Sr. Jude sent me off to tell Sr. Vianney how I felt. I went, but I had no idea what to say since I had no idea how I felt. Sad, certainly, but edified, too. I needn't have worried. Sr. Vianney looked almost beatific. I mumbled something to the effect that I thought her brother was wonderful, and she said, "They were all wonderful. Remember them." She gave me a hug, one of her smiles, thanked me for coming, and sent me back to class. Well, I have remembered -- what they did and what she said. I am lookiing foward to reading the book. It should be assigned reading for all who harbor religious prejudices and hatred.

It is a profound irony that war, man's most inhumane treatment of his fellow man, oftentimes provides the most poignant lessons in humanity, selflessness, and heroism. The four men honored as the Four Immortal Chaplains would doubtless have eschewed the kind of praise their actions have won over the years, arguing that they were just men doing God's work on earth, but their story will be a source of inspiration and an example of true honor and bravery for all years to come. The tragedy of 9/11 helped inspire Dan Kurzman to tell their story anew; with No Greater Glory: The Four Immortal Chaplains and the Sinking of the Dorchester in World War II, he succeeds admirably in bringing a spirit of hope and unity to today's fractured world.

The Four Immortal Chaplains came from different backgrounds and religious faiths, but the bond of goodness and friendship that bound them together made them spiritual brothers united in the face of a common fate. George Lansing Fox was a Methodist minister who had already fought heroically and been wounded in World War I; Father John Washington was a young and scrappy Catholic priest who cheated on his eye test in order to qualify for the Army; Clark Poling was a Dutch Reformed minister who left his young family and his famous evangelist father to serve; and Alexander Goode was a brilliant Jewish rabbi consumed by a mission to promote universal brotherhood among all men of all religions. Each man had not only joined the services as chaplains after the attack on Pearl Harbor, they had each adamantly pursued a combat post overseas. They never made it to the front, finding themselves posted on the USAT Dorchester as she made her way from the nation's east coast, through Tornado Alley, to Greenland in early 1943. German U-boats lay in wait underneath the icy waves of the North Atlantic, and on February 3, 1943, the U-223 fired a torpedo which sent the Dorchester to the bottom of the ocean. It was one of the worst naval disasters in American history, as over 900 men went into the icy sea, two-thirds of them to their deaths - in part due to highly questionable orders from the transport commander who delayed any rescue effort. Among the dead were the four chaplains, who live on in spirit thanks to their heroism on that awful night.

The first half of the book describes the inspiring lives these four chaplains led before joining the army during World War II and the remarkable bond they seemed to share once fate brought them together. The remainder of the book details the tragedy of the Dorchester and the inspiring actions of the chaplains in reaction to the disaster. Drawing upon scores of personal and videotaped interviews with survivors and rescuers, Kurzman takes us back to that awful night and details the heroic acts of the Four Immortal Chaplains as they aided and supported the men around them, encouraged and inspired them with the power of their faith, and selflessly gave their own life jackets to others before going down with the ship - arm in arm and united in prayer.

In a sense, this is just one famous act of heroism among untold numbers of selfless acts that the world will never even know about. The story of the Four Immortal Chaplains has a special meaning and significance, though. They are a symbol of man's greatest hopes, an example to all those who wish for a world of peace where religion unites rather than divides those of different faiths. Even before World War II came to an end, they were honored in the form of a postage stamp bearing their likenesses (normally, a person cannot be so honored until ten years have passed since his death), and their images still adorn the stained glass windows of many chapels and secular institutions, but it is their indomitable spirit of heroism, brotherly love, and good will that speaks most strongly to us today. Their legacy lives on as a shining beacon of light in a modern world darkened by religious conflicts and the evils of terrorism.

In this wonderfully written book, author Dan Kurzman describes how four army chaplains of different faiths banded together in a remarkable show of faith and courage as they, while giving up their own lives, helped others so that they might live.

The story begins with four army chaplains, each of different faiths, being placed aboard the U.S. troop ship Dorchester. Chaplain George Fox was a World War I hero who had recieved wounds that had not completely healed. Nevertheless, he volunteered to serve again in World War II. Chaplain Alexander Goode had a dream of uniting all people of all faiths. It was this drive for universal harmony that led him to enlist. Chaplain Clark Poling, the son of a famous evangelist, loved football and the spiritual world. He even had a conversation with God on a mountaintop, much like Moses. He enlisted to share his beliefs and enthusiasm with others. Finally, Chaplain John Washington, a priest from a struggling family, faked an eye exam so he would be allowed to serve. These brave men left behind wives and children so they could follow their heavenly calling to minister to our fighting men overseas.

God must have had a plan for each of the chaplains, as if by providence, each was assigned to the Dorchester. While on their way to Greenland, the Dorchester was forced to pass through an area known as "Torpedo Junction"; an area with a high concentration of German U-Boats. Shortly after midnight on the night of February 3, 1943, the German submarine U-223 launched three torpedos at the small convoy that the Dorchester was in. One of the torpedoes slammed into the side of the Dorchester. In a matter of minutes, the Dorchester had taken on a sharp list and was surely going to sink.

During this time, the four chaplains were passing out life jackets (even their own) and giving the men encouragement as the order to abandon ship was given. But a huge problem faced the men. The water temperature was barely above freezing, and after a period of about twenty minutes, hypothermia would set in. Many of the men had not followed the earlier order to put on their heavy clothes and lifejackets, so they had on only shorts and t-shirts as they went over the side. The chaplains, seemingly having made up their minds to remain on board, continued to provide encouragement and assistance until the Dorchester slid beneath the waves approximately 45 minutes after the torpedo hit. The chaplains, linked arm and arm and voices raised to heaven, went down with the ship, but not after each chaplain had surrendered their own life jacket so some other terrified soldier might live.

The task of rescuing the survivors fell upon the coast guard cutters screening the convoy. However, due to a procedural order, the cutters were not able to begin rescuing survivors immediately, for fear that the German submarine may still be in the area. Most of the men who died in the water passed away during this interval between the sinking and the beginning of rescue operations. Finally, the order was given to begin rescue, but by this time, the men had been exposed to the wind and water for almost an hour. Most had already died. This was a grievous error in not allowing the cutters to begin rescue earlier. As it was, the survivors who did make it were barely clinging to life with frozen arms, legs, and feet. Approximately 200 survivors were pulled from the icy water.

I've read numerous books about ship sinkings and rescues during World War II, and this book is definitely one of the best I've read. The chaplains' story and the sinking of the Dorchester is told in great detail, and the memories of the survivors make the reading that much more insightful. I give this book my highest recommendation. Read this book and discover the true story of four ordinary people who, through their trust in God, saved the souls of many others.

I ordered this book for my father, whose brother died in WWII. The family was given almost no information at the time, but by piecing together details, my mother determined that he was almost certainly on a particular boat when it was sunk by the enemy. That fact was confirmed by this book, and it offered a lot of information that is offered only sketchily in other areas. We appreciate the author and the information he was able to provide families, as well as the story of the wonderful chaplains. My mother, an avid reader (particularly about WWII), said this was one of the best written histories on WWII that she has read.

If you ever feel that your fellow man has no regard for you, pick up this book and don't put it down untill you have finished it. What an inspiring story of four 'Men of God' and their dedication to that God, each other, and all those fortunate enough to have crossed their paths. You will be stunned by the character of each of these great men.

This book is an extraordinary story of men caught up in a world at war. Men with a common ideal though outwardly packaged in different religious denominations. It is a compelling story of how these men share their message and friendship with other men caught up in the same world battle. And a story of ultimate sacrifice and courage in the face of death. With all the hero worship of entertainment figures and sports figures, wouldn't it be great if people like the Chaplains could become role models for generations to come. Not about how to die, because that is not what the story is really about, but how to live and have a life full of meaning. Having ideals worth sharing and worth emulating. Having people be able to say, I am a better person for having known you and having learned from you.

As a minister within the Denomination of one of the four Chaplains (Reformed Church in America), I always heard the story of these brave men from other sources. I truly appreciate Dan Kurzman's writing as it lays out not only the history of this tragic event, but it tells the story of each Chaplain and provides an amazing background of each man and his family.

In fact, after reading this book, my interest in the four Chaplains has grown. Simply perform a google search on: "Four Chaplains" and you will find the volumes of information concerning them.

If you love history from WWII or if you want to read an amazing story of sacrifice and love, this book is for you!