September 4

The Grunt Padre

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.  ~ 2 Timothy 4:7

On this date in 1967, Father Vincent Capodanno was doing what he had done since the beginning of his tour in Vietnam, he was ministering to his men.  Capodanno was the Battalion Chaplain for the 1^st Marine Division.  In response to reports that a platoon was being overrun by enemy forces, Capodanno disregarded intense fire and moved about the battlefield administering last rites to the dying and giving medical aid to the wounded.  When an exploding mortar round inflicted multiple wounds to his arms and legs, severing a portion of his right hand, he steadfastly refused all medical aid.  Instead, with calm vigor, he provided encouragement by voice and example to his valiant Marines.  Upon encountering a corpsman in the line of fire, Capodanno rushed forward to aid the mortally wounded Marine.  At that instant, he was struck down by a burst of machine gun fire.

For his heroic conduct on the battlefield, Father Capodanno was posthumously awarded our nation’s highest award for valor, the Congressional Medal of Honor.  ~ selected from the government citation of Father Capodanno’s valorous service

How may Father Capodanno’s conduct serve as an inspiring example to our council and assembly?

Any personal sacrifice I may have to make will be compensated for by the fact that I am serving God.  ~ Father Vincent R. Capodanno, 1LT, 3d Battalion, 5^th Marines, 1^st Marine Division (Rein) FMF, Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient
at meaning. ~ New York Herald Tribune, “Who Takes Delight in Life”

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