Father Kapaun Recommended for Medal of Honor

BlackDog · 10-13-2009, 06:49 PM

I'm not Catholic, but this is a story of an amazing man. I know it's somewhat religious, so I hope it's fitting to post here.

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Army agrees Kansas priest worthy of Medal of Honor
As his fellow prisoners of war returned home from the Korean War, they shared stories of self-sacrifice about Rev. Emil Kapaun, the humble priest from Kansas.

By JOHN MILBURN
Associated Press Writer

TOPEKA, Kan. —
As his fellow prisoners of war returned home from the Korean War, they shared stories of self-sacrifice about Rev. Emil Kapaun, the humble priest from Kansas.

The prisoners of the 8th Cavalry Regiment spoke of how Kapaun, an Army chaplain, continued to look after his men even though he was wounded and sick himself. Risking his own life, Kapaun would sneak out after dark to scrounge food for those too weak to eat, fashion makeshift containers to collect water and wash their soiled clothes.

Kapaun died at the camp hospital seven months after he was first taken captive by the Chinese in 1950. More than a half-century later, the Army's top civilian leader has recommended that Kapaun, who is also a candidate for sainthood, receive the Medal of Honor.

>>snip<<

In one of his final acts as Army secretary, Pete Geren, wrote to Rep. Todd Tiahrt, R-Kan., saying he agreed that Kapaun was worthy of the honor. Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has also endorsed Kapaun's honor.

Seven chaplains have received the Medal of Honor, including Vincent Capodanno, a Navy chaplain from New York, killed in Vietnam in 1967. In 2006, Capodanno was declared a Servant of God by the Vatican, a step toward canonization.

>>snip<<

Kapaun was born in 1916 near the central Kansas town of Pilsen, about 60 miles north of Wichita. Ordained in 1940, he was a parish priest and auxiliary chaplain at the Herrington Army Air Base near Pilsen.

He was later sent to Southeast Asia during World War II, driving thousands of miles to say Mass, often using his Jeep hood as an altar.

Kapaun returned to Kansas, but when the Korean War began he pleaded with his bishop to let him go back to the Army.

"They needed chaplains. He loved the service boys very much," said Helen Kapaun, whose marriage was one of the last civilian ceremonies performed before Kapaun left for Korea.

Full Article Here

In this undated photo released by the Catholic Diocese of Wichita, Father Emil Kapaun, a Catholic priest and
Army chaplain, shows his pipe which was shot our of his mouth by a sniper during the Korean conflict.

chippewastud79 · 10-13-2009, 06:53 PM

Very nice story, I hope they honor him appropriately. Thank you for sharing

BlackDog · 10-13-2009, 06:55 PM

I should add, be sure to read the caption of the picture.

ActionAndy · 10-13-2009, 07:15 PM

Awesome picture, even better man.

kelmac07 · 10-13-2009, 07:20 PM

Great story!!

Old Sailor · 10-13-2009, 07:26 PM

10-13-2009, 07:26 PM

Thanks for the story Warren

Conch Republican · 10-13-2009, 10:00 PM

Great story! To him and all of our service men and women

shark · 10-13-2009, 10:57 PM

For these guys to go right to the front lines armed with nothing more than a strong faith in the Almighty...the chaplains have some serious brass ones.

10-13-2009, 06:49 PM	#1
BlackDog Gonna make you groove... Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Warren Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 2,468 Trading: (19)	Father Kapaun Recommended for Medal of Honor I'm not Catholic, but this is a story of an amazing man. I know it's somewhat religious, so I hope it's fitting to post here. ***************************** Army agrees Kansas priest worthy of Medal of Honor** As his fellow prisoners of war returned home from the Korean War, they shared stories of self-sacrifice about Rev. Emil Kapaun, the humble priest from Kansas. By JOHN MILBURN Associated Press Writer TOPEKA, Kan. — As his fellow prisoners of war returned home from the Korean War, they shared stories of self-sacrifice about Rev. Emil Kapaun, the humble priest from Kansas. The prisoners of the 8th Cavalry Regiment spoke of how Kapaun, an Army chaplain, continued to look after his men even though he was wounded and sick himself. Risking his own life, Kapaun would sneak out after dark to scrounge food for those too weak to eat, fashion makeshift containers to collect water and wash their soiled clothes. Kapaun died at the camp hospital seven months after he was first taken captive by the Chinese in 1950. More than a half-century later, the Army's top civilian leader has recommended that Kapaun, who is also a candidate for sainthood, receive the Medal of Honor. >>snip<< In one of his final acts as Army secretary, Pete Geren, wrote to Rep. Todd Tiahrt, R-Kan., saying he agreed that Kapaun was worthy of the honor. Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has also endorsed Kapaun's honor. Seven chaplains have received the Medal of Honor, including Vincent Capodanno, a Navy chaplain from New York, killed in Vietnam in 1967. In 2006, Capodanno was declared a Servant of God by the Vatican, a step toward canonization. >>snip<< Kapaun was born in 1916 near the central Kansas town of Pilsen, about 60 miles north of Wichita. Ordained in 1940, he was a parish priest and auxiliary chaplain at the Herrington Army Air Base near Pilsen. He was later sent to Southeast Asia during World War II, driving thousands of miles to say Mass, often using his Jeep hood as an altar. Kapaun returned to Kansas, but when the Korean War began he pleaded with his bishop to let him go back to the Army. "They needed chaplains. He loved the service boys very much," said Helen Kapaun, whose marriage was one of the last civilian ceremonies performed before Kapaun left for Korea. Full Article Here In this undated photo released by the Catholic Diocese of Wichita, Father Emil Kapaun, a Catholic priest and Army chaplain, shows his pipe which was shot our of his mouth by a sniper during the Korean conflict. __________________ "We live in the good of this."

10-13-2009, 06:53 PM	#2
chippewastud79 Fatter than you! Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Larry Location: A little place called home. Posts: 5,397 Trading: (44)	Re: Father Kapaun Recommended for Medal of Honor Very nice story, I hope they honor him appropriately. Thank you for sharing __________________ If we weren't supposed to eat animals, then how come they're made of meat? You can never have too many cigars, they are like an investment in good times.

10-13-2009, 06:55 PM	#3
BlackDog Gonna make you groove... Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Warren Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 2,468 Trading: (19)	Re: Father Kapaun Recommended for Medal of Honor I should add, be sure to read the caption of the picture. __________________ "We live in the good of this."

10-13-2009, 07:15 PM	#4
ActionAndy Dayman, Master of Karate Join Date: Dec 2008 First Name: Andy Location: Saratoga Springs, NY Posts: 671 Trading: (7)	Re: Father Kapaun Recommended for Medal of Honor Awesome picture, even better man. __________________ In the merry month of June, from me home I started...

10-13-2009, 07:20 PM	#5
kelmac07 Resident Maduro Whore!! Join Date: Apr 2009 First Name: Mac Location: Newport News, VA Posts: 27,322 Trading: (218)	Re: Father Kapaun Recommended for Medal of Honor Great story!! __________________ Dom in the MLB thread "I could probably get you to wear a Yankee hat for a Maduro!"

10-13-2009, 07:26 PM	#6
Old Sailor Black Ops - S.O.B. Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Dave Location: Side Porta!! Kingsville, Ont., Canada Posts: 4,201 Trading: (22)	Re: Father Kapaun Recommended for Medal of Honor __________________ Canadian Armed Forces 1976! Canadian Coast Guard, retired in 2012 after 32 years!!

10-13-2009, 07:26 PM	#7
ChicagoWhiteSox Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Father Kapaun Recommended for Medal of Honor Thanks for the story Warren

10-13-2009, 10:00 PM	#8
Conch Republican 10-78 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Margaritaville Posts: 2,878 Trading: (60)	Re: Father Kapaun Recommended for Medal of Honor Great story! To him and all of our service men and women __________________ "Ceiling fan stirs the air, the cigar smoke does swirl" --Jimmy Buffett You can help out and win some cool stuff in the 2016 Troop Support supplies contest!

10-13-2009, 10:57 PM	#9
shark Cigar Smokin' Patriot Join Date: Sep 2009 First Name: Ron Location: Michigan Posts: 3,566 Trading: (0)	Re: Father Kapaun Recommended for Medal of Honor For these guys to go right to the front lines armed with nothing more than a strong faith in the Almighty...the chaplains have some serious brass ones. __________________ Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery None but ourselves can free our minds