On February 3, 1943, three Army ships and three Coast Guard Cutters were fired on by a German submarine in the frigid waters off the coast of Greenland. With 900 men on board, the troopship the Dorchester was hit in the midsection and began sinking rapidly, and ammonia and oil were everywhere.

Four Army Chaplains were on board the Dorchester that morning — a Catholic priest, a Jewish rabbi and two Protestant ministers. As the ship began to sink into the freezing water, the Army Chaplains handed out life jackets and words of comfort to the troops. When the life jackets ran out, the Chaplains removed their own and gave them to the men without regard to race or religious affiliation. They helped the men into the lifeboats and gave them hope through encouragement and by leading them in song. Eighteen minutes after the ship was hit by the torpedo, the chaplains were last seen standing bravely on the deck praying for the men as the ship sank into the sea.

We believe that these four men embody the principles that represent the Universal Life Church. Without thought for their own safety and without playing favorites among the men because to religious background or race, the actions of these men portrayed religion at its best.

If you are considering following a calling to become an Army Chaplain, you can get ordained through the Universal Life Church. We have ordained many individuals who have gone on to become military ministers as well as other men and women who have served in the armed forces or are currently enlisted. In fact, the head of the Universal Life Church is an ex-military member. We have the deepest respect for our troops and honor the commitment they have made to this country. If you have a desire to serve your the citizens of the armed forces in the capacity of spiritual adviser, we can help you get ordained.

Although becoming a minister does not necessarily require that you sacrifice your life, those who get ordained usually have a passion for doing the right thing when difficult situations call for encouragement and compassion. If you are a natural leader and feel that you would have done the same as the four Chaplains who were on board the Dorchester on that freezing winter morning, you already understand what’s at the core of our values.

Over 700 men lost their lives that morning off Greenland’s cold coast, and the four Chaplains were among them. The Coast Guard Cutters Comanche and Escanaba disobeyed orders to keep searching for the German U-boat and rescued 230 of the troops who went down with the Dorchester.

The Chaplains’ names were Father John Washington, Rabbi Alexander Goode, Revered George Fox and Reverend Clark Poling. They were all honored posthumously by the President and Congress for their exemplary compassion, courage and faith.