As we begin preparations for the third annual Memorial Mass for Fr. Capodanno this September 2010, exact location and time to be announced, the first step has been to carefully review thoughtful comments and suggestions.  Beginning this year, 2010, CatholicMil seeks to promote a Fr. Capodanno Memorial Mass Campaign.

CatholicMil Founder Judy McCloskey, Vice Postulator Mary Preece, and Army Chaplain Eric Albertson are available to speak at your next event.

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Mrs. Mary Preec

Fr. Eric Albertson

Mrs. Judy McCloskey 
She and her WWII veteran father were born on the same day- the only day of the year that sounds like a military order: March 4th, feast day of soldier Saint Casimir. Judy married a US Navy Officer, now retired, had six children born during her husbands 20 year military career, and founded CatholicMil.org, Catholics in the Military, the petitioner for the Cause of Fr. Vincent R. Capodanno, LT, CHC, USNR. The message that military service is a high Christian calling and a true vocation (CCC 2310, 2239), exemplified in the life of Servant of God Vincent Capodanno, is shared with others as a means to strengthen military families and to promote vocations to the AMS.  Judy has been published in National Catholic Register, Our Sunday Visitor, Catholic News Service; has spoken at Women of Grace conference and appeared on EWTN.
 

   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 offical 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.

The Grunt Padre by Fr Daniel Mode. The compelling and beautiful story of Father Vincent R. Capodanno, a Roman Catholic Priest who overcame the world to become a Christ in the true meaning of Radiating Christ. First a Maryknoll missionary serving in Taiwan and Hong Kong, Father Capodanno became a Navy Chaplain and served with the 7th and 5th Marines in Vietnam. In the midst of a battle in 1967, Father Capodanno was wounded several times and was killed while trying to save the life of a fellow servicemen. He received the Medal of Honor posthumously.

   Read the book review by John Horvat . Order your copy of The Grunt Padre. By ordering through this link, you support our efforts. The Author Father Daniel Mode grew up in a Navy family. His father, a Navy Captain, brought his family to places as diverse as Korea, Virginia, Alaska and Hawaii. Fr Mode's brother rose to the rank of Lieutenant Commander. Fr. Mode himself is a commissioned Navy chaplain. The author's education includes a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, with advanced degrees in theology and church history. While studying history at Mount Saint Mary's Seminary he stumbled upon the research threads that led him to uncovering the remarkable Fr. Capodanno story.

    In March, 2005, Father Daniel Mode was notified by his Naval Reserve Center in Washington, D.C that he would be mobilized (called up) for active duty as a U.S. Navy Military Chaplain. Having returned from two years in Aghanistan and witnessing the need for more frontline priests to minister to military personnel, Father Mode petitioned to be released into full time service as an AMS chaplain. Father Mode continues to serve on the BOD of CatholicMil.org while introducing a new generation of US military personnel to the heroic life of Servant of God Vincent Robert Capodanno.