AMS Auxiliary Bishop Richard Higgins was main celebrant for Mass at Washington Navy Yard chapel 04Sept08 in honor of Fr. Vincent R. Capodanno, LT, CHC, USNR.  Concelebrating were base chaplain Fr. Keiran Mandata, Fr. Dolan who served with Capodanno as a missioner in Taiwan, and Fr. Joseph McGahren.

Capodanno reported for duty in Vietnam during Holy Week 1966. On September 4, 1967 during Operation Swift while tending to wounded and dying US Marines, Fr. Capodanno was KIA by enemy fire. News spread quickly as the radio operator signaled, "3/5 Number 21 is KIA." "Number 21 clarified Bishop Higgins, "is code for chaplain."

With three Purple Hearts, Fr. Capodanno was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor "for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Chaplain of the 3rd Battalion, in connection with operations against enemy forces." The full MOH citation was read aloud during the Navy Yard Mass by Read Admiral Patrick Lorge, Commandant of Navy District Washington.

Admiral Steve Stanley, Lt Col Timothy Parker, members of all branches of the Armed Forces were present as was Vice-Postulator for the Cause of Capodanno Mary Preece and members of Quantico's Fr. Vincent Capodanno Knights of Columbus Council #11958.

Acknowledging WWII Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty as a hero of his, Bishop Higgins expressed equal admiration for Vietnam War chaplain Fr. Capodanno. "Someday," said the bishop, "I want to meet Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty, and someday I want to meet Fr. Vince Capodanno."

"Convicted by the Gospel of Jesus, Chaplain Vince Capodanno wanted to be where the action was, wanted to serve with the Marines. A fellow Marine Chaplain Eli Takesian says it best 'He just wanted to be with the Grunts. He was more a Marine than anything else!'

"Once asked to comment at a memorial service, Father Capodanno said: 'God loved them or they would never have been born. God called them when they were most prepared to go. Do not let their names become empty memories.'"

"This evening, I feel the need to make a few small changes to Father Capodanno's words.... God loved him or he would never have been born! God called him when he was most prepared to go. Do not let his name become an empty memory. I want to meet this man! And so should you!"

Prior to Mass being dismissed, Fr. Mandato invited those in attendance to pray before the 'cover' (Fr. Capodanno's military cap) that had been placed at the foot of the altar. A small outdoor reception followed.