Memorial Day

Today is a day to honor the fallen. Especially those who have fallen in battle in service to America.

I will highlight one such hero today. This hero epitomizes what it means to be an American, and more importantly, what it means to be a Christian. He was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions taking place in Quang Tin Province, Republic of Vietnam, 4 September 1967.

Lt. Vincent Capodanno was a member of the United States Navy Chaplain Corps. He was born in N.Y. City in 1929 and was a missionary priest with an religious order that is very active in Southeast Asia. When the United States became involved in the Vietnam War, Fr. Capodanno asked to be released from his missionary work to serve with the Navy Chaplain corps in Vietnam. There is a great book written in 2000 that tells the story of his life. The book is titled "The Grunt Padre" and was written by Fr. Daniel Mode, himself a Navy Chaplain. Below is the citation from his Medal of Honor.

Medal of Honor Citation

Awarded Posthumously To Capodanno, Vincent R.

Rank and organization: Lieutenant, U.S. Navy, Chaplain Corps, 3d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein), FMF. Place and date: Quang Tin Province, Republic of Vietnam, 4 September 1967. Entered service at: Staten Island, N.Y. Born: 13 February 1929, Staten Island, N.Y. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Chaplain of the 3d Battalion, in connection with operations against enemy forces. In response to reports that the 2d Platoon of M Company was in danger of being overrun by a massed enemy assaulting force, Lt. Capodanno left the relative safety of the company command post and ran through an open area raked with fire, directly to the beleaguered platoon. Disregarding the intense enemy small-arms, automatic-weapons, and mortar fire, he moved about the battlefield administering last rites to the dying and giving medical aid to the wounded. When an exploding mortar round inflicted painful multiple wounds to his arms and legs, and severed a portion of his right hand, he steadfastly refused all medical aid. Instead, he directed the corpsmen to help their wounded comrades and, with calm vigor, continued to move about the battlefield as he provided encouragement by voice and example to the valiant marines. Upon encountering a wounded corpsman in the direct line of fire of an enemy machine gunner positioned approximately 15 yards away, Lt. Capodanno rushed a daring attempt to aid and assist the mortally wounded corpsman. At that instant, only inches from his goal, he was struck down by a burst of machine gun fire. By his heroic conduct on the battlefield, and his inspiring example, Lt. Capodanno upheld the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the cause of freedom.

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The book details the activities on that battlefield from many of the eyewitnesses who are still alive today. One Marine who had been attended to by Fr. Capodanno just prior to Capodanno's death attributes his survival to Fr. Capodanno's assitance, but espescially his praying with him and holding him as the Marine lay wounded on the battlefield. He describes having a sense of peace fall over him as soon as Fr. Capodanno ministered to him.

The cause for Father Capodanno's sainthood was opened on May 21, 2006 when he was declared Servant Of God by the Church.