I recently came across a radio single of “Four Chaplains,” a song that is not very familiar to many. The words and music are by R. Alfred and W. Gold. It was performed by Fred Neil and released as a single in 1960. It also appears on the album, Trav’lin Man: The Early Singles (2008). This is a ballad about the four World War Two chaplains who gave up their lives as they gave away their life jackets to other Soldiers after the USS Dorchester, which they were being transported on, was attacked by a German submarine (digitalized from a “Radio Station Copy,” author’s collection).

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Radio Station Copy of “Four Chaplains” performed by Fred Neil (author’s collection).

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You can read more about the Four Chaplains on this site at History > Chaplain Stories > The Four Chaplains.

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