‘Just to save another life’

There are many American war heroes immortalized in vibrantly stained glass at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., though a few honored in its hallowed halls never lifted a finger against another man.

Among these memorials — in fact, directly underneath an ornate depiction of Nathan Hale — are depictions of the Immortal Chaplains: four men of differing faiths who surrendered their life jackets to others following a torpedo strike that sunk the USS Dorchester in 1943.

David Fox, the nephew of one of the chaplains, shared the story of their compassion to a packed room at Newport Beach’s Balboa Bay Club Thursday during the Newport-Mesa-Irvine Interfaith Council’s National Day of Prayer Breakfast.

Fox, who often teetered on the verge of tears during his remarks, said he hoped the anecdote would encourage those of faith to consider their own moral agency in an increasingly “complicated” world.

“It’s inherent on us to remember their example: Three of these people had children, and had to give up those life jackets, knowing they were never going to see their children and wives again,” he told the crowd. “Would we do that? Could we do that? Just to save another life?”

While the history of the incident has fallen into some obscurity in the post-war period, the story was a sensation at the time: Congress passed a memorial stamp to commemorate the chaplains, while articles were written in Reader’s Digest, the New Yorker and other broadly circulated publications.

In short, Fox said, the men were internationally celebrated as symbols of tolerance and compassion.

But, to confront some lingering doubts about the story’s authenticity, Fox began to compile his own history of what happened on the sinking vessel, traveling across the country to videotape interviews with survivors of the wreck.

“In a time of war, there’s always the possibility that the story may have been used in ways that aren’t as factual as [the government] said it was,” he said. “The Army might’ve stirred up the story for propaganda purposes, so I wanted to dig up the truth, find out as much as I could.”

To Fox’s delight, the videotaped survivors confirmed every aspect of the story to the details — including locking their arms in prayer as they braved their descent into frigid waters.

Inspired, Fox founded the “Immortal Chaplains Foundation,” awarding and publicizing heroes he thinks exemplify the compassion demonstrated by the group’s namesake.

During his remarks, Fox said he hoped the story of interfaith compassion would inspire the audience to confront modern problems with similar benevolence. In particular, he urged the audience to consider America’s difficult struggle with race, urging people not to “flee” from the controversial statements of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, but consider and learn from the anger underneath them.

“We must examine the things done to our people and our African-American population that have created deep, deep anger, embarrassment and humiliation,” he said. “This needs to be addressed by us, as people of faith, because it matters to us all.”

The message seemed to resonate with those in the audience, granting Fox a standing ovation at the conclusion of his remarks.

Newport Beach Mayor Ed Selich, who recited the pledge of allegiance at the event, said he was profoundly moved by the presentation.

“Made me think of my own values, and how I would handle myself in a similar situation,” he said.

Maxine Washburn, who works in Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian’s pastoral care department, said she would be carrying the lesson of Fox’s story with her for the rest of her life.

“The fact that these four wonderful men were willing to sacrifice their lives for others, showing no fear, is incredible” she said. “It’s a complete love for humanity that does that, and it’s really remarkable that anyone could do that.

“I guess it’s the power of God.”

Those interested in learning more about the Immortal Chaplains can visit David Fox’s website at www.immortalchaplains.org. Interviews with survivors of the Dorchester sinking can be viewed at www.youtube.com/watch?v= jLWtfVsYrA0.

CHRISTIANITY: OUR FATHER

Our Father, Who art in heaven,

Hallowed be Thy Name.

Thy Kingdom come.

Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil. Amen.

ISLAM: SHAHADA

There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger.

JUDAISM: SHEMA

Hear, Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One.

Blessed be the Name of His glorious kingdom for ever and ever.

CHRIS CAESAR may be reached at (714) 966-4626 or at [email protected].