On Memorial Day, Let Us Remember Father Emil Kapaun

This Memorial Day our thoughts are with those who have fallen in defense of our country. As Catholics, we know that many of our fellow Catholics have paid that ultimate price.

There's a saying in the Army that "there are no atheists in foxholes." Even in our popular culture, as in the beachead scene in 'Saving Private Ryan', we see Army chaplains doing their duty unarmed and under heavy fire.

There are numerous stories of this kind of valor in US history. The Four Chaplains come to mind. But as Catholics, the story of Father Emil Kapaun is something we should know on Memorial Day and every day. 

Born in 1916 in Kansas and ordained in 1940, Father Kapaun was commissioned an Army chaplain in August 1944, the last year of WWII. He served in Burma from April 1945 to May 1946. He was promoted to Captain in January of 1946. Fast forward to the Korean War in 1950. He's a chaplain with the 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, as they embark from Japan to the initial stages of the war.

We had been taken by surprise by the North Korean invasion and our troops had been pushed back into a small perimeter around the port city of Pusan. But then General Douglas MacArthur pulled an end run with an amphibious assault at Inchon and we went on the offensive. Father Kapaun was there for all of it.

As we pushed north in late 1950, close to the Chinese border, the Chinese intervened and we again went on the defensive. On November 1-2, the 8th Cav was attacked by over 20,000 Chicom troops at Unsan, North Korea. During the fighting Kapaun stayed behind to tend to 800 wounded men, as the 8th Cav withdrew. During that engagement, under enemy fire, he personally rescued almost 40 men from certain death. He was captured and served as a chaplain in a North Korean POW camp. He continued to serve his men any way he could. He died from malnutrition, dysentery, and pneumonia in May of 1951

His actions as a chaplain were so courageous, so selfless, so saintly that in 1993 Pope John Paul II put him on the road to canonization. In 2022 the Vatican began to consider whether to declare him a martyr for the faith. That would speed the process of sainthood. 

I could go on with the many testimonials to Father Kapaun's devotion to duty, simple grace, and sacrifice as a priest. But, on this Memorial Day, perhaps the citation from the Medal of Honor he was awarded for saving those dozens of troops under fire will suffice:

"Chaplain Emil J. KAPAUN distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division during combat operations against an armed enemy at Unsan, Korea, from November 1–2, 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 rescue friendly 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, 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 among 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 to execute Sergeant First Class Herbert A. Miller. Not only did Chaplain KAPAUN'S gallantry save the life of Sergeant Miller, but also his unparalleled courage and leadership inspired all those present, including those who might have otherwise fled in panic, to remain and fight the enemy until captured. Chaplain KAPAUN'S extraordinary heroism and selflessness, above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, the 1st Cavalry Division, and the United States Army." Lest we forget.