Four Chaplains Day honors the valor and sacrifice of four U.S. Army chaplains during World War II. These chaplains—Lt. George L. Fox, Lt. Alexander D. Goode, Lt. John P. Washington, and Lt. Clark V. Poling—were aboard the SS Dorchester when it was torpedoed by a German submarine on February 3, 1943.

As the ship sank, these chaplains calmly and courageously guided soldiers to safety, offering their own life jackets when supplies ran out. They linked arms and prayed together as they went down with the ship, demonstrating extraordinary interfaith unity and selflessness. This day serves to remember their heroism and to inspire acts of compassion and bravery in all Americans.