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Navy Federal Credit Union
Emil
F.
Kapusta
1917-04-04

–

1979-02-03

Born:

New York

, 

New York

Home:

Yonkers

, 

New York

Buried: 

Valhalla

, 

California

Cemetery:

Gate of Heavy Cemetery

Emil Kapusta attended Cathedral College in New York City, and received his B.A. in 1938 at Saint Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers, New York. He was ordained a Catholic Priest at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in May 1942, and assigned to Saint Thomas the Apostle’s Parish in Harlem until he entered military service four years later. He was commissioned a U.S. Army chaplain and was assigned to the 82d Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he won his parachutist’s badge. In April 1952 he was assigned to Korea with the 40th Infantry Division, where he spent sixteen months ministering to soldiers on the battlefield, and earned a Silver Star. He served again during the Vietnam War, and on March 28, 1973, as a colonel and Chaplain for MACV/USARV Support Command, he was the last chaplain to leave Vietnam. He retired in 1977, and then pastored the Church of Saint Joseph in Poughkeepsie until he was killed in a car accident in 1979.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Chaplain’s Corps)

    Regiment:

    223d Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    40th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    December 25, 1952
    Headquarters, 40th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 132 (1953)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Chaplain’s Corps) Emil F. Kapusta, United States Army, for gallantry in actions while serving at a Chaplain with the 223d Infantry Regiment, 40th Infantry Division, in action near Sohiu-rong, Korea, on 25 December 1952. Chaplain Kapusta, completely disregarding the murderous barrage of enemy mortar fire, refused to leave his position, even under the most hazardous conditions. He immeasurably increased the morale of the men on the line and provided inspiration to all with whom he came in contact. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Chaplain Kapusta, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.