NO GREATER LOVE; BRUNCH HAILS CHAPLAINS WHO DIED SAVING OTHERS.

Byline: Brooke Olson Daily News Staff Writer

In the barracks of the Woodland Hills American Legion Post 826, the walls are decorated with reminders of military greatness and heroism.

Among the faded newspaper articles, ship models and awards, a large silver frame highlights the faces of four young chaplains, men whose acts of courage will forever remain in the hearts and minds of the military and the clergy alike.

Sunday morning, San Fernando Valley clergy of different faiths were among about 100 men and women who gathered for a brunch in honor of the four who sacrificed their lives for others Feb. 3, 1943.

More than five decades have passed since that fateful dawn when 900 American servicemen aboard the Dorchester were jolted from their bunks as a torpedo sliced through the ship.

But religious leaders and members of the military remember the story well. The supply of life jackets was soon exhausted. The four U.S. Army chaplains, each of a different faith, gave up their life jackets to save the lives of others without any.

``These were ordinary people who rose above themselves to do something extraordinary,'' said Rabbi Dan Satlow of Valley Beth Shalom in Encino, who spoke at the brunch.

Satlow said the four chaplains serve as a poignant example of where America finds heroes: in the ranks of ordinary people who may be frightened but act courageously anyway.

``There's been so much in the press lately about how one politician did this . . . or how one famous person or another . . . has sinned,'' he said to the crowd of 50 World War II and Korean War veterans and their wives.

The politicians, the actors and the sports heroes have the same ability as others to sin, he said.

``People are looking in the wrong place for their heroes. Instead of looking at an exceptional person, they should look at an ordinary person, . . . one who says to another, I am not worth more than you.''

To that, the Rev. Steve Norman of Canoga Park Presbyterian Church added, to some smiles: ``The Titanic was built by professionals; the ark was built by amateurs.''

Pondering the men for whom the chaplains gave their lives, Norman said some might wonder whether the precious gifts were wasted. But he said he doubts the chaplains ever questioned whether the others were worth self-sacrifice.

``They were acting on true love and true faith,'' he said. ``There were no questions.''

And there were obviously no regrets, either. As the lifeboats rowed away from the sinking ship, survivors looked back and saw the chaplains huddled together with their arms linked and their heads bowed in prayer.

The Rev. Eric Thomas of Canoga Park Christ Community Church referred to John 15:13: ``Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.''

The speakers said few ever will be faced with situations in which they need to lay down their lives as a condition of saving others, but they said the opportunity occurs daily for acts of selflessness and love in the spirit displayed by the chaplains.

``Heroes happen every day,'' Satlow said.

``It is the little things that make a difference,'' Norman said.

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PHOTO Rabbi Dan Satlow, from left, the Rev. Steve Norman, the Rev. Eric Thomas and the Rev. John Murray flank photos of four heroes.

David Sprague/Daily News