Hometown: Staten Island, NY
Branch: U.S. Navy
Unit: Navy Chaplain Corps, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division
Military Honors: Medal of Honor, Bronze Star, Purple Heart
Date of Sacrifice: September 4, 1967 - KIA in Quang Tri  Province, Vietnam 
Age: 38
Conflict: Vietnam War, 1959-1975

Affectionately known as “The Grunt Padre” because of his desire to blend in with the infantrymen under his care, Lt. Vincent Robert Capodanno was given constant reminders that it was not his job as a Chaplain to go on patrols. But he preferred to wear no insignia of rank on his uniform and to go where the fighting was hottest and heaviest, telling a reporter, “I understand their trials better if I accept the same burdens they do.”

According to the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA: “He became a constant companion to the Marines: living, eating, and sleeping in the same conditions of the men. He established libraries, gathered and distributed gifts, and organized outreach programs for the local villagers. He spent hours reassuring the weary and disillusioned, consoling the grieving, hearing confessions, instructing converts, and distributing St. Christopher medals. Such work ‘energized’ him, and he requested an extension to remain with the Marines. It was during his second tour on September 4, 1967, with the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines that Father Vincent Capodanno made the ultimate sacrifice.”

Father Capodanno left the relative safety of his command post and ran through an open area under heavy enemy fire, administering last rites to the dying and giving medical aid to the wounded. Struck down by machine-gun fire, he was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic conduct on the battlefield. His citation reads:

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Lieutenant (Chaplain) Vincent Robert Capodanno (NSN: 0-656197), United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Chaplain of the Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Forces, in connection with operations against enemy forces in Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 4 September 1967.

In response to reports that the 2d Platoon of M Company was in danger of being overrun by a massed enemy assaulting force, Lieutenant Capodanno left the relative safety of the company command post and ran through an open area raked with fire, directly to the beleaguered platoon. Disregarding the intense enemy small-arms, automatic weapons, and mortar fire, he moved about the battlefield administering last rites to the dying and giving medical aid to the wounded. When an exploding mortar round inflicted painful multiple wounds to his arms and legs and severed a portion of his right hand, he steadfastly refused all medical aid. Instead, he directed the corpsmen to help their wounded comrades and, with calm vigor, continued to move about the battlefield as he provided encouragement by voice and example to the valiant marines.

Upon encountering a wounded corpsman in the direct line of fire of an enemy machine gunner positioned approximately 15 yards away, Lieutenant Capodanno rushed in a daring attempt to aid and assist the mortally wounded corpsman. At that instant, only inches from his goal, he was struck down by a burst of machinegun fire.

By his heroic conduct on the battlefield, and his inspiring example, Lieutenant Capodanno upheld the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the cause of freedom.

Among the many tributes memorializing Lt. Capodanno, the Staten Island Marine Corps League erected a bronze statue of Capodanno in 1977, in front of Father Capodanno Chapel at Fort Wadsworth, New York.

Sources
Card Photo: Naval History and Heritage Command
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund: Vincent Capodanno
Congressional Medal of Honor Society: Vincent Robert Capodanno
Naval History and Heritage Command: Capodanno (DE-1093)
Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA: Father Capodanno Biography
Military Times Hall of Valor Project: Vincent Robert Capodanno
National Park Planner: Father Capodanno Memorial at Fort Wadsworth
Father Capodanno Guild
Burial Site: Find a Grave