Dubuque Military Chaplains Day (February 3, 2025)Copyrighted
February 17, 2025
City of Dubuque PROCLAMATIONS # 1.
City Council
ITEM TITLE: Dubuque Military Chaplains Day (February 3, 2025)
SUMMARY: On behalf of the Dubuque American Legion Post #6 and
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #508.
SUGGUESTED
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Proclamation
Page 36 of 797
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WHEREAS, every year, Chaplains Day is a time to reflect on the service of those chaplains who made
the ultimate sacrifice while serving their God and our nation; and
WHEREAS, February V, 2025, marks the 82nd anniversary of the sinking of the USAT Dorchester,
which carried to their deaths four U.S. Army chaplains of three faiths who stood united in
prayer as the ship went down; these four chaplains sacrificed their lives by giving their life
jackets to save others. The heroic deeds of Chaplains Lt. George L. Fox (Methodist Priest),
Lt. Alexander D. Goode (Jewish Rabbi), Lt. Johnny P. Washington (Roman Catholic Priest),
and Lt. Clark V. Poling (Dutch Reformed Minister), are an inspiring example of real
brotherhood to the people of the world; and
WHEREAS, on December 7, 1941, Navy Lt. Junior Grade Aloysius H. Schmitt, a 1932 graduate of Loras
College (then Columbia College) in Dubuque, Iowa, heroically sacrificed his life aboard the
USS Oklahoma during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Trapped in a compartment with
others, he helped several sailors escape through a small porthole and, when it was his turn,
chose to stay behind to save more lives. Father Schmitt was the first chaplain of any faith to
die in World War II; and
WHEREAS, on May 4, 1966, Major William Joseph Barragy, a Loras College graduate, became the first
chaplain to fall in combat during the Vietnam War. Serving as a brigade chaplain, Father
Barragy died in a Chinook helicopter crash (CH-47A, tail number 63-13138) from the 147th
Assault Support Helicopter Company "Hill Climbers." The crash, caused by a fire in the
transmission, claimed the lives of all 20 onboard, including 5 crew members and 15
passengers from the 101st Infantry Division's 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry; and
WHEREAS, the Dubuque American Legion Post #6, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 508, Disabled
American Veterans Unit #6, Dubuque Marine Corps League, Tristate Women Warriors,
Tristate Vietnam Veterans Association, and University of Dubuque Reserve Officer Training
Corps (ROTC), proudly honor all chaplains who sacrificed their lives for freedom and justice,
ensuring their ultimate loss was not in vain.
NOW THEREFORE, I, BRAD M. CAVANAGH, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA, ON
BEHALF OF THE CITY COUNCIL, STAFF, AND RESIDENTS OF DUBUQUE, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM
THE 3RD DAY OF FEBRUARY 2025, AS
"DUBUQUE MILITARY CHAPLAINS DAY"
IN THE CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA, ASK ALL RESIDENTS TO HONOR THOSE CHAPLAINS WHO
DIED IN COMBAT WHILE SERVING OUR COUNTRY.
IN WITNESS THEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the
Great Seal of the City of Dubuque to be affixed this 17t" day of
February 2025.
Brad M. Cavanagh, Mayor
Attest:
Adrienne N. Breitfelder, CMC, City Clerk
Page 37 of 797
2025: Submitted by Dubuque American Legion Post #6 Past Commander Bob Felderman. VFW Post
508 Service Officer Janet Grass will accept the Proclamation.
Page 38 of 797