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| Congressional Medals of Honor: left to right Army, Navy, and Air Force |
Military chaplains of all faiths have done a
wonderful job throughout history. One
beautiful example of the faiths working together are the four military
chaplains that gave their life jackets to soldiers who did not have one when
the U.S. Dorchester was hit by a German torpedo on February 4, 1943. They were Methodist, Jewish, Dutch Reformed,
and Catholic. For more detail on the
four chaplains click on
There are ten American
military chaplains, who have received the Congressional Medal of Honor (including
a Confederate chaplain who received the equivalent Southern Cross of Honor), the
military's highest award for heroism, since it was established in 1861. Most were Catholic. The qualifications for being awarded the
Medal have been tightened up and refined over the years, but it is awarded to a
member of the U.S. military for acts of intrepidity and gallantry above and
beyond the call of duty while involved in combat operations.
Each Veteran’s Day, St.
Louis Church Gallipolis, Ohio will honor military chaplains in an article as a
bulletin insert. You will see that
chaplains fill an indispensable role in the military, but secularists are
trying to eliminate them entirely.
Since the Civil War, five chaplains have received the Congressional Medal of Honor, the top award for heroism
beyond the call of duty. All five of them were Catholic priests who served God
and Country. They are as follows:
-Capt. Joseph Timothy O'Callahan, U.S. Navy (World War II) - March 19,1945 and awarded in 1946.
-Capt. Emil J. Kapaun, U.S. Army (Korean War) - November 1-2, 1950
and awarded posthumously in 2013.
and awarded posthumously in 2013.
-Lt. Vincent Robert Capodanno, U.S. Navy (Marines Vietnam War) -
killed in action September 4, 1967 and awarded posthumously in
1969.
killed in action September 4, 1967 and awarded posthumously in
1969.
-Maj. Charles Joseph Watters, U.S. Army (Vietnam War) - killed in
action November 19, 1967 and awarded posthumously in 1969.
action November 19, 1967 and awarded posthumously in 1969.
-Capt. Angelo J. Liteky, U.S. Army (Vietnam War) - December 7, 1967
and awarded in 1968.
and awarded in 1968.
The statements below in blue for each chaplain are the official citations of
the United States Department of Defense.
Lt. Comdr. Joseph Timothy O'Callahan, U.S. Navy (World War II)
Out of 464
Medal of Honor winners in World War II, Fr. O'Callahan was the only
chaplain. Here he is, ministering to the wounded aboard the U.S.S. Franklin in 1945.
Citation
For
conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and
beyond the call of duty while serving as chaplain on board the U.S.S. Franklin
when that vessel was fiercely attacked by enemy Japanese aircraft
during offensive operations near Kobe, Japan, on 19 March 1945. A
valiant and forceful leader, calmly braving the perilous barriers of
flame and twisted metal to aid his men and his ship, Lt. Comdr.
O'Callahan groped his way through smoke-filled corridors to the open
flight deck and into the midst of violently exploding bombs, shells,
rockets, and other armament. With the ship rocked by incessant
explosions, with debris and fragments raining down and fires raging in
ever-increasing fury, he ministered to the wounded and dying, comforting
and encouraging men of all faiths; he organized and led firefighting
crews into the blazing inferno on the flight deck; he directed the
jettisoning of live ammunition and the flooding of the magazine; he
manned a hose to cool hot, armed bombs rolling dangerously on the
listing deck, continuing his efforts, despite searing, suffocating smoke
which forced men to fall back gasping and imperiled others who replaced
them. Serving with courage, fortitude, and deep spiritual strength, Lt.
Comdr. O'Callahan inspired the gallant officers and men of the Franklin to fight heroically and with profound faith in the face of almost certain death and to return their stricken ship to port.
Capt. Emil J. Kapaun, U.S. Army (Korean War)
The heroism
and saintly virtue of the newest recipient of the Medal of Honor (2013), Servant of God Emil Kapaun extended
from the battlefield to a North Korean POW camp where his holiness stood out.
He would die in captivity, but not before making himself an irritant to
his jailers and an inspiration to his fellow prisoners. Father Kapaun
would sneak out of his own compound in order to minister to the other prisoners,
and through the intercession of St. Dismas, the Good Thief, scrounged for food and basic
necessities to help them survive their hellish conditions, even sharing his own
meager rations with his men. He got even non-Catholic prisoners to pray
the Rosary.
This priest openly defied the Communists in their daily forced indoctrination and brainwashing sessions. For a long time, they did not dare retaliate, for fear of provoking the other prisoners to rebellion; but when Father Kapaun came down with an eye infection and a blood clot in his leg, they seized the opportunity to carry him off to an isolated "hospital" and starve him to death.
This priest openly defied the Communists in their daily forced indoctrination and brainwashing sessions. For a long time, they did not dare retaliate, for fear of provoking the other prisoners to rebellion; but when Father Kapaun came down with an eye infection and a blood clot in his leg, they seized the opportunity to carry him off to an isolated "hospital" and starve him to death.
Father
Kapaun's cause for beatification opened in 2008. Pray for his intercession to peacefully stop aggressive North Korea and its itchy nuclear trigger finger as well as
other terrorists.
Prayer for the Beatification of Emil Kapaun
Lord
Jesus, in the midst of the folly of war, Your servant, Chaplain Emil
Kapaun spent himself in total service to You on the battlefields and in
the prison camps of Korea, until his death at the hands of his captors.
We now ask You, Lord Jesus, if it be Your will, to make known to all
the world the holiness of Chaplain Kapaun and the glory of his complete
sacrifice for You by signs of miracles and peace. In Your Name, Lord,
we ask, for You are the source of peace, the strength of our service to
others, and our final hope. Amen. Chaplain Kapaun, pray for us.
Citation
Chaplain
Emil J. Kapaun distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and
intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 3d
Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division during combat
operations against an armed enemy at Unsan, Korea, from November 1-2,
1950. On November 1, as Chinese Communist Forces viciously attacked
friendly elements, Chaplain Kapaun calmly walked through withering enemy
fire in order to provide comfort and medical aid to his comrades and
rescue friendly wounded from no-man's land. Though the Americans
successfully repelled the assault, they found themselves surrounded by
the enemy. Facing annihilation, the able-bodied men were ordered to
evacuate. However, Chaplain Kapaun, fully aware of his certain capture,
elected to stay behind with the wounded. After the enemy succeeded in
breaking through the defense in the early morning hours of November 2,
Chaplain Kapaun continually made rounds, as hand-to-hand combat ensued.
As Chinese Communist Forces approached the American position, Chaplain
Kapaun noticed an injured Chinese officer amongst the wounded and
convinced him to negotiate the safe surrender of the American Forces.
Shortly after his capture, Chaplain Kapaun, with complete disregard for
his personal safety and unwavering resolve, bravely pushed aside an
enemy soldier preparing to execute Sergeant First Class Herbert A.
Miller. Not only did Chaplain Kapaun's gallantry save the life of
Sergeant Miller, but also his unparalleled courage and leadership
inspired all those present, including those who might have otherwise
fled in panic, to remain and fight the enemy until captured. Chaplain
Kapaun's extraordinary heroism and selflessness, above and beyond the
call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of military
service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 3d Battalion, 8th
Cavalry Regiment, the 1st Cavalry Division, and the United States Army.
Lt. Vincent Robert Capodanno, U.S. Navy (Vietnam War)
Known for
his sanctity and his devotion to his Marines, Fr. Capodanno was killed
in action in Vietnam on September 4, 1967. Archbishop Edwin F. O'Brien
of the Archdiocese for the Military Services officially opened his cause
for beatification on May 21, 2006. See Blog #31 for more detail and the book, "The Grunt Padre by Fr. Daniel Mode.
A video
documentary on Fr. Capodanno is fascinating.
“The Grunt Padre in Vietnam” available at 205-271-2990, 1-800-854-6316, or 1-504-840-9898 or www.focustvonline.com. It is narrated by Archbishop Phillip M.
Hannan, former prelate of Archdiocese of New Orleans and himself a former
chaplain as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division during World
War II. In the video a Protestant
Chaplain Takesian observed: “He lived his Christian faith. He emulated Christ by giving his life for his
men. The men were willing to die for
him”. Marines testified that he’s a
saint.
I met a marine veteran recently
who actually served with Fr. Capodanno in Vietnam and actually met him. Jerry Bain of Pt. Pleasant, WV (304-675-1905 or
jkbain@yahoo.com) affirmed that the men
loved him and held him in such high esteem.
Prayer for the Canonization of Fr. Capodanno
Heavenly
Father, source of all that is holy, in every age You raise up men and
women who live lives of heroic love and service. You have blessed Your
Church through the life of Vincent Capodanno, Vietnam War Navy chaplain,
who had the "courage of a lion, and the faith of a martyr." He was
killed in action offering medical assistance to the wounded and
administering last rites to the dying on the battlefield. Through his
prayer, his courage, his faith, and his pastoral care he is an example
of laying down one's life for one’s friends: Jesus told us that there is
no greater love than this. If it be Your will, may he be proclaimed a
saint! We ask this through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen. Click
on http://www.capodannoguild.org
for the official website for the cause of canonization of Father Vincent R.
Capodanno.
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.
During the ambush described above in
which his troops were being overrun, he comforted one fallen soldier after
another: “Stay calm, marine. Help will be here. God is with us all today.”
More
than one person returned to the faith upon hearing about the courage of
Chaplain Capodanno. This illustrates the
axiom, “A missionary does not stop working even after his death”.
Maj. Charles Joseph Watters, U.S. Army (Vietnam War)
This photograph of Fr. Watters offering Mass in the field was taken shortly before he was killed in action on November 19, 1967.
Citation
For
conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life
above and beyond the call of duty. Chaplain Watters distinguished
himself during an assault in the vicinity of Dak To. Chaplain Watters
was moving with one of the companies when it engaged a heavily armed
enemy battalion. As the battle raged and the casualties mounted,
Chaplain Watters, with complete disregard for his safety, rushed forward
to the line of contact. Unarmed and completely exposed, he moved among,
as well as in front of the advancing troops, giving aid to the wounded,
assisting in their evacuation, giving words of encouragement, and
administering the last rites to the dying. When a wounded paratrooper
was standing in shock in front of the assaulting forces, Chaplain
Watters ran forward, picked the man up on his shoulders and carried him
to safety. As the troopers battled to the first enemy entrenchment,
Chaplain Watters ran through the intense enemy fire to the front of the
entrenchment to aid a fallen comrade. A short time later, the
paratroopers pulled back in preparation for a second assault. Chaplain
Watters exposed himself to both friendly and enemy fire between the 2
forces in order to recover 2 wounded soldiers. Later, when the battalion
was forced to pull back into a perimeter, Chaplain Watters noticed that
several wounded soldiers were Lying outside the newly formed perimeter.
Without hesitation and ignoring attempts to restrain him, Chaplain
Watters left the perimeter three times in the face of small arms,
automatic weapons, and mortar fire to carry and to assist the injured
troopers to safety. Satisfied that all of the wounded were inside the
perimeter, he began aiding the medics--applying field bandages to open
wounds, obtaining and serving food and water, giving spiritual and
mental strength and comfort. During his ministering, he moved out to the
perimeter from position to position redistributing food and water, and
tending to the needs of his men. Chaplain Watters was giving aid to the
wounded when he himself was mortally wounded. Chaplain Watters'
unyielding perseverance and selfless devotion to his comrades was in
keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Army. See also
www.arlingtoncemetery.net/cwatters.htm.
Capt. Angelo J. Liteky, U.S. Army (Vietnam War)
Citation
Chaplain
Liteky distinguished himself by exceptional heroism while serving with
Company A, 4th Battalion, 12th Infantry, 199th Light Infantry Brigade.
He was participating in a search and destroy operation when Company A
came under intense fire from a battalion size enemy force. Momentarily
stunned from the immediate encounter that ensued, the men hugged the
ground for cover. Observing 2 wounded men, Chaplain Liteky moved to
within 15 meters of an enemy machine gun position to reach them, placing
himself between the enemy and the wounded men. When there was a brief
respite in the fighting, he managed to drag them to the relative safety
of the landing zone. Inspired by his courageous actions, the company
rallied and began placing a heavy volume of fire upon the enemy's
positions. In a magnificent display of courage and leadership, Chaplain
Liteky began moving upright through the enemy fire, administering last
rites to the dying and evacuating the wounded. Noticing another trapped
and seriously wounded man, Chaplain Liteky crawled to his aid. Realizing
that the wounded man was too heavy to carry, he rolled on his back,
placed the man on his chest and through sheer determination and
fortitude crawled back to the landing zone using his elbows and heels to
push himself along. pausing for breath momentarily, he returned to the
action and came upon a man entangled in the dense, thorny underbrush.
Once more intense enemy fire was directed at him, but Chaplain Liteky
stood his ground and calmly broke the vines and carried the man to the
landing zone for evacuation. On several occasions when the landing zone
was under small arms and rocket fire, Chaplain Liteky stood up in the
face of hostile fire and personally directed the medivac helicopters
into and out of the area. With the wounded safely evacuated, Chaplain
Liteky returned to the perimeter, constantly encouraging and inspiring
the men. Upon the unit's relief on the morning of 7 December 1967, it
was discovered that despite painful wounds in the neck and foot,
Chaplain Liteky had personally carried over 20 men to the landing zone
for evacuation during the savage fighting. Through his indomitable
inspiration and heroic actions, Chaplain Liteky saved the lives of a
number of his comrades and enabled the company to repulse the enemy.
Chaplain Liteky's actions reflect great credit upon himself and were in
keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Army.
Unfortunately, Fr. Liteky went
on to change his name to Charles, repudiate his Medal of Honor (making him the
only Medal of Honor recipient to do so), abandon his priestly ministry, and
marry (or attempt marriage with) a former nun. He now devotes his
energies to protesting American foreign policy. None of this changes his
conspicuous valor under fire, or the fact that he deserved his Medal of Honor,
or the indelible character of his priesthood. From what we know today
about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder with so many veterans of the wars in Iraq
and Afghanistan, what went on in his mind is open to conjecture. Certainly he was affected by the Post Vatican
II confusion in the late 1960s and 1970s. Pray for him.
The process of canonization is advancing for Fr. Capodanno and Fr.
Kapaun. Currently, they are Servants of God or Venerable. The next
step is beatification.
See http://v-forvictory.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-medal-of-honor-chaplains.html, our principal source and also forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=345213 - Cached, as well as
This
history vividly demonstrates the contributions and the need for military
chaplains in the military. Their
presence, their help in many ways, their counseling, their ministering to the
spiritual needs of the troops and their families on the bases (plus the aid of
the Mass and the graces of the sacraments for Catholics) are all helpful to
morale and coping with the rigors and daily sacrifices of military life in
serving the Country. However, secularists are agitating for the
removal of chaplains from the military.
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