I was a corporal and fire team leader with Mike Company Third Battalion Fifth Marines during operation Swift when Father Capodanno was killed in action. At approximately 2:15 on September 4th, the company was in a column and I was sitting with my guys when Father Cap came down the line. We we're all smoking cigarettes awaiting action that was soon to develop. I took the Lord"s name in vain and uttered a curse. As I said this, I looked back and Father Capodanno was standing right behind me. Having been an altar boy for five years, I was totally embarrassed by my utterance as I knew Father Capodanno heard me. I stood up and greeted him and apologized and I could tell from his countenance that I was forgiven. He knew the words of us marines. He sat down with us and had a cigarette and we spoke briefly. After our conversation, he arose and continued his walk down the line. That was the last time I saw Father Cap alive.

Approximately 15 minutes after he left us, all hell broke loose at the front of the company. We we're in a major battle for our lives. After intense fighting with the North Vietnamese Army, word filtered back to me that the priest had been killed. I was dumbfounded and deeply saddened. I received the word at approximately 6:30 PM. I was also somewhat upset. Here was a great priest and a great man who did not have to participate in combat, and yet there he was amongst us fighting grunts performing his priestly and fatherly duties.

The next morning, as I was being medi-vacked , I saw father Capodanno's boots. His body was covered with a poncho. I was going to have one last look at his face, and I was told not to as he had almost been cut in half. I said a quick prayer. A pall of deafening silence hung all over the company as his death had profoundly affected all those who were present as well as fifteen of our fallen brothers.

A few years later, I heard about the details of his death, how he had treated the wounded and brought some to safety and how he had administered the last rites to others, all accomplished while under heavy enemy fire and suffering wounds on two occasions before his death. There is absolutely no question in my mind that Father Vincent Capodanno died a martyr's death. I also learned that he had been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

The father served us marines and navy corpsmen without fear for his safety and ultimately for the Greater Glory of God.

Father Capodanno's is remembered by me almost daily as I pray to him and for the repose of his soul.

In 1992, while working as a Special Agent with the FBI, I targeted an international tobacco smuggling ring with the help of a local native american police chief. At the beginning of the operation, I spoke with the police chief of Father Capodanno's death and how it had had a lifelong and profound impact upon me. I then dedicated all of the investigation to Father Capodanno's and Vernon Randolp's(another Marine with Mike 3/5 who died in Viet Nam) memory. I write about Father Capodanno and Vern in a book which is soon to be released titled Chesuncook.

In short, Father Capodanno died a hero's death and a saintly death. Upon canonization, he would be the only saint to receive a medal of honor in the history of the world.

You have my permission to use any part or all of this testimonial if you wish.

Semper Fi! Donald R. Goulet