Vincent R. Capodanno

Military service

On December 28, 1965, Father Capodanno received his commission as a lieutenant in the Navy Chaplain Corps. He then requested to serve with the Fleet Marine Force (FMF), in Vietnam. After some training to serve within the Marine Corps, he was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, First Marine Division in South Vietnam, in April 1966.^[1] In December, he was transferred to the 1st Medical Battalion, 1st Marine Division until his year's tour was completed, and then extended for another tour of duty in South Vietnam.^[1]

In June 1967, he arrived in Vietnam, and in July was assigned 1st Battalion, 5th Marines. In August, he was assigned to H&S Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, in Vietnam. On September 4, 1967, at 4:30 am, during Operation Swift in the Thang Binh District of the Que Son Valley, elements of the 1st Battalion 5th Marines encountered a large North Vietnamese Army (NVA) unit of approximately 2,500 men near the village of Dong Son. The outnumbered and disorganized Company D of the 1st Battalion was in need of reinforcements. By 9:14 am, 26 Marines were confirmed dead, and two rifle companies from the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines was committed to the battle. At 9:25 am, the commander of 1st Battalion, 5th Marine requested further reinforcements.

When he heard that two platoons of M Company from his battalion was taking casualties and about to be overrun by the enemy, Father Capodanno went among the wounded and dying Marines of Second Platoon, helping them and giving last rites. He was wounded in the hand, arms, and legs. Refusing medical aid, he went to help a seriously wounded Navy corpsman and two wounded Marines only yards from an enemy machine gun and was killed;^[1]15 Marines and 2 corpsmen also were killed.^[2] His body was recovered and interred in his family's plot in Saint Peters Cemetery, West New Brighton, Staten Island, New York.^[3][4]

On December 27, 1968, Secretary of the Navy Paul Ignatius notified the Capodanno family that Lieutenant Capodanno would posthumously be awarded the Medal of Honor in recognition of his selfless sacrifice. The official ceremony was held January 7, 1969.^[5]

Medal of Honor citation

Father Capodanno's official Medal of Honor citation is as follows:

The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to

for service as set forth in the following

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 multiple painful 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.^[8]

USS Capodanno

Certificate of Papal Blessing

Memorial to Father Vincent Capodanno

Another memorial to Father Vincent Capodanno, Fort Wadsworth, New York

USS Capodanno (FF-1093) was named in honor of Lieutenant Capodanno.^[9] The Capodanno was commissioned September 17, 1973, and became the first ship in the U.S fleet to receive a Papal Blessing when it was blessed by Pope John Paul II in Naples, Italy, September 4, 1981. On July 30, 1993, it was decommissioned and sold to Turkey.

New York City honors

In March 1971, the Knights of Columbus, Madonna Council in Staten Island sought to have a permanent public memorial honoring Father Capodanno. In October 1974, a bill was proposed to change the name of Seaside Boulevard to Father Capodanno Boulevard; a year later, the bill was passed by the Mayor of New York.

The city of New York declared July 3, 1976, "Father Capodanno Day" and held a Mass, followed by a parade that included the United States Marine Corps Color Guard, bands from the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps, and Boy and Girl Scouts.

A monument was erected at the corner of Midland Avenue and Father Capodanno Blvd on Staten Island. It is made of light gray Barre granite, stands 8' high and 4' wide and has a bronze plaque.

Saint Vincent Chapel, Taiwan

Saint Vincent's Chapel was the Capodanno family's first choice as a memorial. Within four months after his death, almost $4,000 had been raised by organizations such as The American Legion, The Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Knights of Columbus and the Marine Corps League. The chapel was completed in 1993. It was built in the small mountain town of Thiankou with the help of Father Dan Dolan, another Maryknoller and Father Capodanno's former pastor when he was a missionary in Taiwan.

Capodanno Hall, San Francisco Bay Naval Shipyard

The San Francisco Bay Naval Shipyard dedicated Capodanno Hall on November 3, 1969. The hall serves as a Bachelor Officers' Quarters. Phillip Capodanno unveiled the plaque which describes Father Capodanno's heroic deed:

Lieutenant Capodanno made the ultimate sacrifice ministering to the wounded and dying during savage fighting in Vietnam. He has become the third chaplain in our country's history to receive the Medal of Honor and the second Navy chaplain to be so honored.

Other memorials

• Capodanno Chapel, The Basic School, Marine Corps Base Quantico Virginia
• Capodanno Memorial Chapel, Lakeside TQ, IRAQ
• Capodanno Chapel, Que Son Valley, Vietnam
• Capodanno Memorial Chapel Naval Base, Newport, Rhode Island
• Capodanno Chapel, Naval Hospital, Oakland, California
• Capodanno Street, Naval Base, Newport, Rhode Island
• Capodanno Chapel, Camp Pendelton, California
• Modern sculpture, Piazza Capodanno, Gaeta, Italy
• Capodanno Chapel, Ft. Wadsworth, Staten Island
• Capodanno Building, Millington, Tennessee
• Capodanno Chapel, Marine Corps Air Station, Iwakuni, Japan
• Catholic Chaplains Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia
• Fort Wadsworth statue, Fort Wadsworth (former Army Chaplain School).
• Father Capodanno Boulevard, Staten Island, New York
• Father Vincent R Capodanno Memorial at Champion, Wisconsin at Our Lady of Good Help Shrine
• Father Vincent Capodanno High School, Southern Pines, NC