Born in Pennsylvania, Vincent Kilpatrick moved with his family to Syracuse, New York, when he was age thirteen, and graduated from Saint Patrick’s High school. He studied at Saint AndrewÕs and Saint Bernard’s seminaries in Rochester, and was ordained a Catholic priest in 1950. He was a priest of the Syracuse Catholic diocese for 58 years. His first assignment was at Saint Christopher’s Church in Binghamton, where he was active in the U.S. Army Reserve. He served as a chaplain in Vietnam, where he earned a Silver Star, as well as later posts in Korea and Germany. Upon return to the U.S., Father Kilpatrick was assigned to Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Syracuse. He later served as pastor of Saint Michael’s Church on Onondaga Hill, Saint Mark’s in Utica, Saint Leo’s in Tully, Saint John the Evangelist in Syracuse, and Saint Francis Xavier Cabrini in Lacona. He retired in 1997 from Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Warners. He served as chaplain for the Syracuse Police Department and was a former chief and chaplain to the Onondaga Hill Fire Department. His interests included fishing, refinishing furniture and buying cars, only to fix them up and give them away.
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Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Major (Chaplain’s Corps)Division:
1st Infantry DivisionAction Date:
July 9, 1966
Headquarters, 1st Infantry Division, General Orders No. 3788 (December 1966)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major (Chaplain’s Corps) Vincent John Kilpatrick (ASN: 0-272806), United States Army, for gallantry in action against a hostile force while serving as a chaplain with the 1st Infantry Division, on 9 July 1966, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, Chaplain Kilpatrick voluntarily accompanied an armed cavalry squadron participating in an operation in Viet Cong infested territory. The unit suddenly engaged a large insurgent force on the Minh Than road. Throughout the ensuing battle, Chaplain Kilpatrick selflessly chose to place himself in positions where he could provide maximum assistance to the soldiers in combat. Without regard for his personal safety, Chaplain Kilpatrick tirelessly moved through intense hostile small arms, mortar, and recoilless rifle fire to bring guidance and comfort to the living and to administer last rites to the dying. His stoic figure amongst the devastation around him brought solace to the embattled troops, and his courage and faith inspired each soldier to fight with renewed determination. The extraordinary dedication displayed by Chaplain Kilpatrick as he steadfastly answered the needs of his men was a significant contribution to the success with which they defied the overwhelming hostile fire and completely routed the hostile force. Chaplain Kilpatrick’s unquestionable valor in close combat against numerically superior hostile forces is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, the First Infantry Division, United States Army.