1948 - Four Chaplains - 3-Cent Stamp - Scott #956 - Includes 2 Stamps

   United States postage stamp from 1948, honoring the Four Chaplains. This 3-cent black stamp, officially designated as Scott Number 956, depicts four chaplains above a sinking ship, the SS Dorchester. The words "These Immortal Chaplains" and "Interfaith in Action" are inscribed on the stamp.

The story behind the stamp:

   In 1943, the troop transport ship SS Dorchester, carrying around 900 men, was torpedoed by a German U-boat in the North Atlantic.

   The Four Chaplains on board were Methodist minister Reverend George L. Fox, Dutch Reformed Minister Clark V. Poling, Catholic Priest John P. Washington, and Jewish Rabbi Alexander D. Goode.

   As the ship sank, they helped guide men to lifeboats and distributed life jackets. When the supply ran out, the chaplains gave up their own life jackets to others. They were last seen linking arms and praying together as the ship went down.

Out of 904 men, only 230 were rescued.

   The chaplains were posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and the Purple Heart. Although nominated for the Medal of Honor, they were ineligible as they had not engaged in direct combat. Congress created a special medal, the Four Chaplains' Medal, to honor their sacrifice. The stamp was issued in 1948 to commemorate their heroism and interfaith service.