After graduating from Curtis High School in his home town, Vincent Capodanno attended Fordham University. While there he was inspired by a Maryknoll magazine to consider missionary work in foreign lands. In 1949 he applied to the Maryknoll Seminary in Ossining, New York, spending the next nine years preparing for ministry. In 1958 he was ordained as a Catholic Priest and was assigned to a mission in Taiwan, arriving there in 1959. In 1960 he became director of a youth hostel in a remote mountainous area for young Chinese men preparing for national college exams. After a six-month retreat back in the United States, in 1965 he was assigned to a new post in Hong Kong. Unhappy with his new assignment, he requested permission to become a military chaplain and was commissioned in the U.S. Navy as a chaplain in 1965. Upon the completion of his training in the Holy Week, Lieutenant Capodanno was assigned to the Seventh Marine Regiment in Vietnam, in April 1966, subsequently being killed in action while earning the Medal of Honor.
Sponsored by:
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Cemetery:
Awards Received
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Medal of Honor
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Medal of Honor
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant (ChC)Batallion:
3d BattalionRegiment:
5th MarinesDivision:
3d Marine Division (Rein) FMF (Attached)Action Date:
September 4, 1967
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Lieutenant (ChC) 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.