[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 508-509]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                IN COMMEMORATION OF USAT ``DORCHESTER''

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 19, 2011

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the brave 
individuals of the United States Army Transport Dorchester. While 
participating in a naval transport, on February 3, 1943, USAT 
Dorchester was attacked, sending 676 men to their graves in the icy 
waters of the Atlantic Ocean. On January 23, 2011, the Middletown VFW 
Post #2179 and Ladies Auxiliary will gather to commemorate the brave 
individuals who lost their lives on this tragic day. The honorable 
actions of the World War II soldiers are undoubtedly deserving of this 
body's recognition.

[[Page 509]]

  Previously a luxury coastal liner, the USAT Dorchester was converted 
into an Army transport ship and immediately called up for service in 
World War II. Departing from St. John's, Newfoundland on February 2, 
1943, the Dorchester was filled to capacity, carrying 902 service men, 
merchant seamen and civilian workers on their way to an American base 
in Greenland. The ship's captain, Hans J. Danielson, was aware of the 
dangerous mission as he instructed the ship's crew to sleep in their 
clothing and life jackets. Traveling through the treacherous and chilly 
Atlantic Ocean waters, the USAT Dorchester was spotted on the morning 
of February 3, 1943 by a German submarine. Torpedoes were soon fired, 
striking the starboard side of the ship. The attack quickly eliminated 
all power and radio contact with nearby coast guard escort ships. The 
attack violently awoke soldiers, killing scores of men and injuring 
many others. Despite the panic and chaos, four chaplains, George Fox, 
Alexander Goode, Clark Poling and John Washington, immediately jumped 
into action, calming frantic soldiers and tending to the wounded. They 
swiftly began opening storage lockers, distributing life jackets. With 
an insufficient amount of supplies, the four chaplains removed their 
lifejackets and distributed them to others. Their decisive and heroic 
actions assisted in the swift survival of 229 men. Along with 672 other 
men, the four chaplains tragically lost their lives while assisting 
others as the USAT Dorchester slowly sank into the Atlantic Ocean.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in commemorating the USAT Dorchester, as 
the members of the Middletown VFW Post #2179 and Ladies Auxiliary honor 
the lives of the four heroic chaplains and the other 672 men who lost 
their lives aboard this transport ship on February 3, 1943. The 
soldier's gallant actions and resilient efforts aboard the USAT 
Dorchester are positive examples of what dedication and commitment to 
their comrades and their love for their country can accomplish.

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