The Hero Chaplain of the Korean War Father
(Captain) Emil J. Kapaun US Army Medal of Honor Recipient By Ken Riege USAF Veteran
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Chaplains have served in all branches of the United States armed forces since their inception including the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. In was on March 4th, 1791 that Reverend John Hurt of Virginia (who had also served as the Chaplain of the 6th Virginia Regiment during the American Revolution) was the first officially recognized United States Military Chaplain. One very interesting fact is: out of the 3,526 Medal of Honor’s bestowed to 3,507 individuals (There are 19 double MOH Recipients) 9 have been chaplains. Their information is as follows: From the Civil War; John Milton Whitehead, Grancis Bloodgood Hall, James Hill, and Milton Lorenzo Haney. From WW2; Joseph Timothy O’Callahan. Korea; Emil J. Kapaun (who is the focus for this story). Vietnam; Angelo J. Liteky, Charles Joseph Watters and Vincent Robert Capodanno. As previously stated, the main focus of this story is WW2 and Korean War Chaplain, Father (Captain) Emil J. Kapaun. There are several books written about Father Kapaun, but the one I have read and found so fascinating is “The Miracle of Father Kapaun: Priest, Soldier and Korean War Hero.” This book can be found online and through Amazon. Gallup, NM has several close connections to Father Kapuan. One connection is with Hershey Miyamura who is also a Korean War MOH Recipient and POW. This fact is well known. However, the second connection many may not know about is with Mr. John Moore of the
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USA RV Park. ( An aside) if you have not visited Mr. Moore’s USA RV Park, you need to. It is such a great place and to get to visit with John and listen to his stories is a delight. Here is a link to Mr. Moore’s Pilgrimage from the National Cemetery in Santa Fe, to Father Kapuan hometown of Pilsen, KS. A Patriotic Burden (kofc.org) Another website that is of great interest would be the following: Fr. Emil Kapaun - Catholic Diocese of Wichita I wanted to close this story with Father Kapaun’s MOH Citation and a picture of the Father Kapaun Memorial Display I have at the Comfort Suites in Gallup. For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty: Chaplain Emil J. Kapaun distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 3d Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division during combat operations against an armed enemy at Unsan, Korea,from November first to the second, 1950. On November 1, as Chinese Communist Forces viciously attacked friendly elements, Chaplain Kapaun calmly walked through withering enemy fire in order to provide comfort and medical aid to his comrades and rescuefriendly wounded from no-man’s land. Though the Americans successfully repelled the assault, they found themselves surrounded by the enemy. Facing annihilation, the able-bodied men were ordered to evacuate. However,
This book can be found on Amazon or through: www. americanvaluescenter.org Chaplain Kapaun, fully aware of his certain capture, elected to stay behind with the wounded. After the enemy succeeded in breaking through the defense in the early morning hours of November 2, Chaplain Kapaun continually made rounds, as hand-to-hand combat ensued. As Chinese Communist Forces approached the American position, Chaplain Kapaun noticed an injured Chinese officer amongst the wounded and convinced him to negotiate the safe surrender of the American Forces. Shortly after his capture, Chaplain Kapaun, with complete disregard for his personal safety and unwavering resolve, bravely pushed aside an enemy soldier preparing toexecute Sergeant First Class Herbert A. Miller. Not only did Chaplain Kapaun’s gallantry
