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| Master Emmanuel Paul Jones, Sr., PCP, FDD, PGK, PFN | ||||||
 Medal of Honor Recipient - Father Vincent R. Capodanno*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 Among
the 58,000 names on the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C. is the
name of a Maryknoll Missionary Priest, Fr. Vincent Capodanno, one of
seven chaplains killed in the Vietnam War. They called him " The
Grunt Padre " because he so completely associated
himself with the struggles, fears, doubts and hopes of the mostly
young Marines, "The Grunts", he served. |
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Copyright
Supreme Council of Knights of Columbus, 1999, 1 Columbus Plaza, New Haven, CT
06510, (203) 772-2130, info@kofc.org. |
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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.