Coast Guard Memorial Chapel

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• Built  in  1952  with  funds  donated  from  across  the  country,  the  Chapel  stands  on  the  highest  point  of  the  Academy  grounds.  Its  rich  symbolism  offers  reminders  of  sacrifices  that  Coast  Guard  members  have  made  for  their  country.  The  lighthouse  beacon  installed  in  the  Chapel’s  spire  continues  to  serve  as  a  guide  to  refuge  in  a  safe  harbor.  Beneath  the  lantern  is  the  fencing  reminiscent  of  the  widow’s  walk  where,  many  years  ago,  the  wives  of  seafaring  men  paced  while  anxiously  looking  seaward.  Inscriptions  on  the  marble  inside  the  entrance  hall  detail  the  Chapel’s  history.  Each  pew,  dedicated  in  memory  of  Coast  Guardsmen,  is  made  of  wood  from  the  same  forests  from  which  the  first  Revenue  Cutters  were  built.  A  landing  below  with  solid  Vermont  marble  bollards  (to  which  ships  tie)  signifies  the  return  port.  The  bronze  lamps  hung  from  the  ceiling  are  in  the  shape  of  old  whale  oil  lamps.  The  flags  hung  high  in  the  Chapel’s  vaulted  ceiling  represent  various  qualities  of  humanity.  The  engraved  windows,  representing  various  religious  motifs,  were  given  as  memorials  from  the  other  military  branches  and  private  organizations.  The  lectern  is  dedicated  to  the  memory  of  the  crew  of  the  Coast  Guard  Cutter  Escanaba.  On  June  10,  1943,  the  Escanaba  was  assisting  a  convoy  across  the  Atlantic  when  it  received  a  distress  call  from  the  U.S.S.  Dorchester,  which  had  been  struck  by  a  torpedo  from  a  German  submarine.  The  Dorchester  carried  800  lives,  among  which  were  four  chaplains.  As  the  Dorchester  was  sinking,  these  chaplains  gave  up  their  life  jackets  and  stayed  on  deck  to  comfort  the  crew.  The  Escanaba  responded  and  miraculously  saved  over  150  lives.  The  deaths  of  the  chaplains  and  crew  of  the  Dorchester  shocked  the  American  public  and  strengthened  their  resolve  to  unite  against  Germany.  Three  months  later,  a  German  submarines  sank  the  Escanaba.  One  hundred  and  one  members  of  the  crew  of  103  lost  their  lives.  Just  as  the  four  Navy  chaplains  courageously  gave  up  their  lives,  the  crew  of  the  Escanaba  displayed  a  selfless  service  of  America.

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