About Reverend George L. Fox
Reverend George L. Fox was born in Lewistown, Pennsylvania, on March 15, 1900. At 17 years old, he lied about his age to enlist in the U.S. Army and served on the Western Front during World War I as a medical orderly, saving countless lives. He was awarded the Silver Star and Croix de Guerre for his bravery, and for his many serious injuries he was awarded the Purple Heart. After the war, George worked at a trust company in New York City.
Feeling called to serve God, he enrolled at Moody Bible Institute in 1923 to pursue missionary work. He met fellow student Isadore Hurlbut there, and the two married in January 1924.
Though briefly returning to a lucrative business career, George soon left to follow his calling as an Itinerant Methodist Minister, serving in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Illinois. He was ordained in 1934 after studying theology at Boston University. George and Isadore raised two children: Wyatt Ray (1924) and Mary Elizabeth (1928).
He served as the Department Chaplain and Historian for the American Legion in Vermont. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, George reenlisted in 1942—the same day his son joined the Marine Corps. While attending Harvard University’s Chaplains School, he met fellow chaplains Alexander D. Goode, Clark V. Poling, and John P. Washington.
In January 1943, Rev. Fox boarded the USAT Dorchester with over 900 soldiers. On February 3, 1943, the ship was torpedoed by German submarine U-223. Amid chaos, the Four Chaplains calmed and guided panicked soldiers, handed out life jackets, and gave up their own when supplies ran out. They were last seen standing arm in arm, praying as the ship descended.
Reverend George L. Fox was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and the Purple Heart. In 1960, Congress created the Four Chaplains Medal—equivalent in weight to the Medal of Honor—awarded exclusively to these four heroes.
The Four Chaplains Medal is a decoration awarded to recognize the selfless heroism of four US Army chaplains who perished while assisting soldiers on a sinking troopship during World War II. The medal is also known as the Chaplain’s Medal of Honor and the Chaplain’s Medal for Heroism.
The Four Chaplains Medal symbolizes interfaith unity and selfless service, and the story of their actions is widely recognized as a testament to courage and devotion.
Their legacy inspires generations through selfless sacrifice, unity, and unwavering faith.
