Venerable Fr. Vincent Capodanno: The Grunt Padre

For a man can be a priest, a soldier, and a saint.

Vincent Capodanno was born on February 13th, 1929, in Staten Island, New York. After attending a year at Fordham University, young Vincent Capodanno entered the Maryknoll Missionary seminary in upstate New York in 1949. The Maryknolls were well known for sending American missionaries overseas--especially to China and Korea.

  As the communists overran China, many Maryknoll priests and bishops were imprisoned and tortured. When Capodanno finished the seminary, he was ordained a priest and received his bachelor's degree in religious instruction.

   Father Capodanno's first assignment was with aboriginal Taiwanese in the mountains of Taiwan where he served in a parish and later in a school. After seven years, Father Capodanno returned to the United States for leave and then was assigned to a Maryknoll school in Hong Kong.

   Looking for a different challenge, Father Capodanno requested a new assignment--as a United States Navy Chaplain serving with the U.S. Marines. After finishing officer candidate's school, Father Capodanno reported to the 7th Marines, in Vietnam, in 1966. When his tour was complete, he requested an extension, served in the naval hospital and then reported to the 5th Marines.

   He gained a reputation for always being there--for always taking care of his Marines.

   At 4:30 am, September 4th, 1967 , in the Thang Binh District of the Que-Son Valley, elements of the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines found the large North Vietnamese Unit, approx. 2500 men, near the village of Dong Son. Operation Swift was underway. The out-numbered and disorganized Company D was in need of reinforcements. By 9:14 am, twenty-six Marines were confirmed dead. The situation was in doubt and another Company of Marines was committed to the battle. At 9:25 am, the 1st Battalion 5th Marine Commander requested assistance of two company's of the 3rd Battalion 5th Marines, "M"and "K" Company.

   During those early hours, Chaplain Capodanno received word of the battle taking place. He sat in on the morning briefing at the 3rd Battalion's Combat Operations Center. He took notes and listened to the radio reports coming in. As the elements of Company "M" and "K" prepared to load the helicopters. "Fr.Vince" requested to go with them. His Marines needed him. "It's not going to be easy" he stated. As Company "M" approached the small village of Chau Lam, the North Vietnamese opened up on the 2nd Platoon, which was caught on a small knoll, out in the open. The fighting was fierce, hand to hand at times, and the platoon was in danger of being overrun. Father Capodanno went among the wounded and dying, giving last rites and taking care of his Marines. Wounded once in the face and suffering another wound that almost severed his hand, Father Capodanno moved to help a wounded corpsman only yards from an enemy machinegun. Father Capodanno died taking care of one of his men.

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

   Several chapels and an US Navy fast frigate were named in his honor.

   On May 21, 2006, thirty-nine years after his death on the battlefield of Vietnam, Capodanno was publicly declared Servant of God, the first step towards canonization.

    Father Capodanno's inspiration and dedication to "his" Marines goes much further. His story continues even today.

    See Father Capodanno’s military honors here.

Prayer to Obtain a Favor through the Intercession of Servant of God Fr. Capodanno:  May God who has offered healing and strength  through the hands of His only Son, Our Lord,  and through Christ’s many servants  grant me the favor of His healing  and through the intercession of His servant,  Fr. Vincent Capodanno, priest, missionary, and chaplain,  who always sought to heal and comfort the wounded and dying on the field of battle.  May I be granted this request  on my own field of battle I pray  in the name of the Father,  and of the Son  and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

(Fr. Capodanno holy cards that include this prayer written by Fr. Daniel Mode are available through this website’s resource page or by emailingCapodanno@CatholicMil.org.)

Prayer to Obtain a Favor Though the Intercession of Servant of God Fr. Capodanno: Father in heaven, you give us every blessing and shower us with your grace through our savior Jesus Christ, and the working of the Holy Spirit. If it be according to your will, glorify your servant Vincent Capodanno by granting the favor I now request through his prayerful intercession: (Mention your request.) I make this prayer confidently through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 

Prayer for the Canonization of the Servant of God Father Vincent 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.

Source: www.vincentcapodanno.org