Chaplain's Medal for Heroism

The Chaplain's Medal for Heroism is a decoration of the United States military which was authorized by an act of the United States Congress on January 18, 1961. Also known as the Chaplain's Medal of Honor and the Four Chaplain's Medal, the decoration commemorates the actions of four United States military chaplains who gave their lives in the line of duty in the winter of 1944.

The chaplains in question were four United States Army officers, these being Lieutenants Rev. George L. Fox (Methodist); Rabbi Alexander D. Goode (Jewish); Fr. John P. Washington (Roman Catholic); and Rev. Clark V. Poling (Dutch Reformed). The four chaplains were all sailing on the same troop transport ship at the time the vessel was torpedoed by a German U-Boat. As the vessel sank, the four chaplains calmed the frightened soldiers and sailors, aided in the evacuation of the ship, and helped guide wounded men to safety. The chaplains went down with the ship, and were last seen praying together on the deck with arms embraced.

All four of the chaplains were posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and the Distinguished Service Cross. The Chaplain?s Medal for Heroism was authorized in 1961 and posthumously presented by the President of the United States to the families of the chaplains.

Because the Chaplain?s Medal for Heroism has only been authorized posthumously, and only for one action, it is generally considered a commemorative decoration not intended for wear on a military uniform. The medal also does not appear on any military award precedence charts, although it is considered to be ranking just below the Medal of Honor. The Chaplain's Medal for Heroism could technically be awarded again, if Congress ever bestowed the decoration for future acts of heroism involving military chaplains.

See also: Awards and decorations of the United States military