Steven Collis Speaks at the National Archives Museum

First Amendment Center Director, Steven Collis, participates in a panel at the National Archives Museum in Washington, D.C., commemorating the 80th anniversary of the events he writes about in his book The Immortals: The World War II Story of Five Fearless Heroes, the Sinking of the Dorchester, and an Awe-inspiring Rescue.

From the National Archives:

On February 3, 1943, the USAT Dorchester, hit by a German submarine, sank with the loss of 674 of the 904 on board. This program will highlight the story of the “Four Chaplains”—four Army chaplains who gave up their life jackets so that other might survive. Our speakers will also discuss the rarely acknowledged heroics of an African American cook on the rescue ship USCGC Comanche, Charles W. David Jr. With complete disregard for his own life, David repeatedly braved the icy waters of the North Atlantic to save the drowning crew of the Dorchester, dying from pneumonia as a result. Current Army Chief of Chaplains Maj. Gen. Thomas Solhjem, Chaplain Bob Nay, author Steven Collis, and University of Tampa leadership professor Deirdre Dixon will discuss how this story can inspire us today.