LARRY WAPNICK
Today, January 20th is the Reverend Martin Luther King’s birthday. We all know of the accomplishments of King, but does anyone know of Charles W. David Jr.?
Seventy One Years ago, Charles W. David ignored the lines of “Segregation” during a “heroic” rescue in the “icy cold waters of the North Atlantic Ocean. Here is the story, and it resides in the form of a plaque aboard the new Coast Guard Cutter Charles W. David Jr. launched in Key West on November 18, 2013.
The U.S. Army Transport Dorchester, torpedoed by a U-Boat on February 3, 1943, slipped beneath the frigid waters of the North Atlantic, taking 675 of the 902 men to their deaths. Among those who died were the immortal ”Four Chaplains,” who in the moments before their deaths demonstrated supreme courage by instinctively removing their life jackets and giving them to four young soldiers who did not have one.
This was not the only act of bravery happening on that dark morning. Aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Comanche (WPG 76), other men, including 26-year-old Steward’s-Mate First Class Charles W. David, Jr., also demonstrated great courage. David’s conduct was both unique and exemplary, because as an African-American, he was living in a segregated military environment.
When the Captain asked for volunteers, David immediately responded by climbing down into a boat and then jumping into the frigid water to save men unable to help themselves. By doing so, he saved numerous lives that otherwise would have been lost. As a result of his efforts, he contracted pneumonia and died 7 weeks later in the Base Hospital in Greenland. His sacrifices and bravery were above and beyond the call of duty. In 1944, he was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal.
For these reasons, we now cherish and honor his memory. The dedication of the Charles W. David Jr (WPC 1107) will forever demonstrate his love of his fellow man and will be an inspiration for all to remember him as a great American hero.
Let us all remember Steward David, I met the families of the men he saved during my presentation of this plaque on November 16, 2013, and as a result of his sacrifice over 30 families exist today!
Editor’s Note: Larry Wapnick is a director of the Chapel of Four Chaplains, Philadelphia. PA, and President of the Four Chaplains Monument, Sebastian.
Indian River Guardian 
Kudos to Larry for using the day to honor Dr, King as an opportunity to educate others who met challengers that they would never imagined that they would have to face.