Since your original posting Fr. Kapun has been nominated for canonization by the Catholic Church and has completed the first two steps in that process and was declared Venerable by Pope Francis.
When called, Fr. Kapun responded as we all hope we would. We also pray we would never have to make the choice called for. RIP, MOH recipient, and if canonization is complete, Saint Kapun is 100% deserved.
" Father Kapaun , ill himself, stood in front of the POW's, prayed, and stole food to share with the others. By his example, he sometimes forced the little bit of good remaining in these starving men to the fore. He became deathly ill but no other American was allowed to feed or treat the priest, and soon he died."
No other chaplains survived the prison camps of Korea, the only class or group to be wiped out.
There was a bar in Bettendorf, IA, the Buckhorn, that had MoH citations framed and hanging on almost every vertical surface in the place. An unbelievable display of heroism while you drank beer…
My best friend from high school was serving as the commander of 3/8CAV when the presentation of the Medal of Honor was made, and as such, attended the White House ceremony on behalf of the unit.
My Grandfather was an Army chaplain during WWII (not eleven- snarc) and I have the bible he carried. On the inside cover is written "it is calming to faith death when you have no fear of eternal life with Christ".
America gets such men because of the mothers who took their children’s hands, and guided them to do the right thing!
I’m a mother of a very brave USAF Captain, age 28 years old, who will be awarded Navy Achievement Medal of Honor soon!
My son asked me… as a good Naval Officer, I recommended to my son that he write the six names of the the men, his crew, who were on board Big Mama, who loaded the gear to repair that CCV, damaged by fire, you know where.
My son was the Pilot flying the gear!
My son acknowledged to me, he couldn’t have done that mission without his crew!
I instructed my son, to hand that “Bravo Zulu” with the names of his crew to his USAF Lieutenant Colonel and inquire how repairs on that CCV are coming.
I’m that Captain’s mama… I learned the Navy way… so I took my son by the hand… years ago… and this Friday morning too, 15 May 2026!
Captain USAF, my son, received his “Orders” for his next assignment! So we spoke about that “Mission” and how he enrolls into the American Military University to become a specialist as Squadron Commander.
The mother takes the grown man by the hand to show him the way forward!
Chaplains aren’t chosen at birth! Chaplains find inside their hearts what their real “Passion” includes… helping others to live another day!
Chaplains think of the human beings and the animals and the fish and the fruits and everything else provided … Chaplins give thanks. Chaplains pray… and sometimes because of their great “Faith” and their “Good Works”, sometimes Chaplains are taken far away, separated from people and left to die alone!
Chaplains go to their Hevenly Kingdom and we, Church Corporal sing their praises! Thank you CDR for sharing Father Kapun’s story.
Let’s sound a round of applause to our USAF, USN, USMC, USCG, Merchant Marines performing these missions to keep America the home of the free and the land of the brave! Mothers do this for their children. Please remember that
Update to the original post from CDR Salamander: Fr. Kapaun’s remains have been identified and in 2021 were interred at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Wichita, Kansas, about sixty miles from his hometown, the same distance as was the forced march from his unit’s capture to the POW camp. Every summer, there is a pilgrimage from the Cathedral to Pilsen, Kansas in his honor.
Sal,
Since your original posting Fr. Kapun has been nominated for canonization by the Catholic Church and has completed the first two steps in that process and was declared Venerable by Pope Francis.
When called, Fr. Kapun responded as we all hope we would. We also pray we would never have to make the choice called for. RIP, MOH recipient, and if canonization is complete, Saint Kapun is 100% deserved.
MEMORY ETERNAL! 🕯️
" Father Kapaun , ill himself, stood in front of the POW's, prayed, and stole food to share with the others. By his example, he sometimes forced the little bit of good remaining in these starving men to the fore. He became deathly ill but no other American was allowed to feed or treat the priest, and soon he died."
No other chaplains survived the prison camps of Korea, the only class or group to be wiped out.
This Kind of War, TR Fehrenbach 1963
The strongest among you might not wear a crown.
There was a bar in Bettendorf, IA, the Buckhorn, that had MoH citations framed and hanging on almost every vertical surface in the place. An unbelievable display of heroism while you drank beer…
It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived. - General George S. Patton
My best friend from high school was serving as the commander of 3/8CAV when the presentation of the Medal of Honor was made, and as such, attended the White House ceremony on behalf of the unit.
The battalion is quite proud of Chaplain Emil.
“No one can have greater love than to lay down his life for his friends” - Jesus (John 15:13).
100% Heroic virtue here on display.
My Grandfather was an Army chaplain during WWII (not eleven- snarc) and I have the bible he carried. On the inside cover is written "it is calming to faith death when you have no fear of eternal life with Christ".
Full Bore Saa-lute to Capt Kapaun!
Here is a short article about his burial https://www.milarch.org/father-emil-kapaun-brought-home/
AMEN . . . where does America get such men?
America gets such men because of the mothers who took their children’s hands, and guided them to do the right thing!
I’m a mother of a very brave USAF Captain, age 28 years old, who will be awarded Navy Achievement Medal of Honor soon!
My son asked me… as a good Naval Officer, I recommended to my son that he write the six names of the the men, his crew, who were on board Big Mama, who loaded the gear to repair that CCV, damaged by fire, you know where.
My son was the Pilot flying the gear!
My son acknowledged to me, he couldn’t have done that mission without his crew!
I instructed my son, to hand that “Bravo Zulu” with the names of his crew to his USAF Lieutenant Colonel and inquire how repairs on that CCV are coming.
I’m that Captain’s mama… I learned the Navy way… so I took my son by the hand… years ago… and this Friday morning too, 15 May 2026!
Captain USAF, my son, received his “Orders” for his next assignment! So we spoke about that “Mission” and how he enrolls into the American Military University to become a specialist as Squadron Commander.
The mother takes the grown man by the hand to show him the way forward!
Chaplains aren’t chosen at birth! Chaplains find inside their hearts what their real “Passion” includes… helping others to live another day!
Chaplains think of the human beings and the animals and the fish and the fruits and everything else provided … Chaplins give thanks. Chaplains pray… and sometimes because of their great “Faith” and their “Good Works”, sometimes Chaplains are taken far away, separated from people and left to die alone!
Chaplains go to their Hevenly Kingdom and we, Church Corporal sing their praises! Thank you CDR for sharing Father Kapun’s story.
Let’s sound a round of applause to our USAF, USN, USMC, USCG, Merchant Marines performing these missions to keep America the home of the free and the land of the brave! Mothers do this for their children. Please remember that
Very respectfully, Nurse Jane
Update to the original post from CDR Salamander: Fr. Kapaun’s remains have been identified and in 2021 were interred at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Wichita, Kansas, about sixty miles from his hometown, the same distance as was the forced march from his unit’s capture to the POW camp. Every summer, there is a pilgrimage from the Cathedral to Pilsen, Kansas in his honor.
The Forgotten War, but not for all.