Memorial Day Thank You for Your Sacrifice. Father Emil J. Kapaun Servant of God
1916-1951 Fr. Kapaun was born in Kansas, to a farming family. He was ordained a priest in 1940, and entered the U.S. Army Chaplain Corp. in 1944, serving soldiers during WWII and the Korean war in 1950. Known as a legend for his care of the wounded, valor and steadfast faith, Fr. Kapaun was the recipient of the Bronze Star, the Distinguished Service Cross, and posthumously, the Medal of Honor. Fr. Kapaun died in a Korean POW camp in 1951. {website}
Fr. Vincent Robert Capodanno Servant of God 1929-1967
Fr. Capodanno was born into a large Italian family in Staten Island, NY. In 1958, he was ordained a Maryknoll priest and served in Taiwan. He joined the Navy Chaplain Corps in 1965, to serve the Marines in Vietnam. The soldiers nicknamed him the “Grunt Priest” because he had the reputation for always being there, day and night and taking care of his Marines. He died ministering to a wounded soldier in the heat of battle. Posthumously receiving the Medal of Honor, Navy Bronze Star, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, Silver Star and the Purple Heart. The USS Capodanno Navy ship was the first ship to receive a Papal Blessing and many military Chapels are named after him.
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