Four Chaplains' Medal

ESTABLISHING LEGISLATION

The Four Chaplains’ Medal was established by Act of Congress (Public Law 86-656, 86th Congress) on July 14, 1960.

EVENT COMMEMORATED

This medal commemorates the extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty displayed by four American chaplains during the Second World War. It was awarded posthumously to Chaplains George L. Fox, Alexander D. Goode, Clark V. Poling, and John P. Washington for giving their life vests to others during the sinking of the troop transport ship Dorchester in the North Atlantic just after midnight on February 2, 1943. The four Chaplains were also posthumously awarded the Army’s Distinguished Service Cross for their extraordinary heroism in action.

ORDER OF PRECEDENCE

Since the Four Chaplains’ Medal was posthumously awarded to only four recipients, it does not have a place in the Army’s order of precedence.

DEVICES

No devices were authorized for this medal.

DESIGNER

The Four Chaplains’ Medal was designed by Thomas Hudson Jones (1892-1969)

DESCRIPTION AND SYMBOLISM