Vincent Robert Capodanno

He braved deadly fire to aid wounded men despite deep wounds

Vincent Robert Capodanno was born on Staten Island, New York, on 13 February 1929. After school and a brief period at Fordham University, he entered Maryknoll Seminary in 1949 and was ordained in 1958. Missionary service took him to Taiwan and Hong Kong before he volunteered as a United States Navy chaplain. Commissioned a lieutenant in December 1965, he joined the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines in South Vietnam in April 1966. That December he transferred to the 1st Medical Battalion. He extended his tour voluntarily, returning in June 1967, joining the 5th Marines in July and the 3rd Battalion in August.

Known as the Grunt Padre, he went to a threatened platoon on 4 September 1967 to aid the wounded and administer last rites. Severely wounded, he refused treatment and continued helping others. He was killed while trying to reach a wounded corpsman. The Navy lieutenant received the Medal of Honor posthumously on 7 January 1969. He is buried in St. Peter’s Cemetery on Staten Island. His family donated the Medal of Honor to the chapel bearing his name at The Basic School in Quantico, where it was dedicated in December 2014.

Medal of Honor 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 painful multiple 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.