Korean War chaplain slated to receive Medal of Honor

Last updated on: February 26, 2013 at 11:02 am by CNA Daily News

Korean War chaplain slated to receive Medal of Honor 2013-02-26T11:02:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Wichita, Kan., Feb 26, 2013 / 04:02 am (CNA/EWTN News).- A former Kansas Congressman has indicated that Servant of God Father Emil Kapaun will be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor later this year, prompting excitement from those who know of the U.S. Army chaplain’s heroic service in prison camps during the Korean War.

“Like everybody else, I think it’s great news we’ve been waiting for some time,” said Fr. John Hotze, a priest from the Diocese of Wichita who heads the Father Kapaun Guild.

“We’re thrilled he’s finally going to be awarded the Medal of Honor. I think most people would agree he’s been deserving that for some time,” Fr. Hotze told CNA Feb. 25.

The Medal of Honor is the United States’ highest military award for bravery.

Former Kansas Congressman Todd Tiahrt on Feb. 22 told the Wichita Eagle that he had received a note from a military officer in the Pentagon about preparations for a White House ceremony to be held April 11. The Pentagon will honor the Kansas priest on April 12.

Fr. Kapaun was born in Pilsen, Kansas and grew up on a farm. He was a parish priest before he joined the U.S. Army. He served as a chaplain with the Eighth Cavalry Regiment in North Korea, which was overrun by the Chinese army in late 1950.

The priest courageously rescued wounded soldiers from the battlefield, risking his own life to save them from execution by the Chinese. Later taken as a prisoner of war, he heroically worked to tend to the starving and sick in a camp that would reach subzero temperatures.

The priest’s service to his fellow prisoners has become legendary. Scores of men attributed their survival to his deeds.

He sneaked out at night to steal food from the prison guards to share with those who were starving, the Wichita Eagle reports. He picked lice off of sick prisoners and shaped roofing tin into cooking pots so the prisoners could boil water.

The priest also encouraged the prisoners to endure despite their terrible conditions, and despite the abuse he himself faced from prison guards.

Fr. Kapaun died in a prison camp hospital on May 23, 1951 two years before the end of the Korean conflict. Prison authorities denied him medical assistance for a blood clot in his leg.

The Catholic Church named the priest a Servant of God in 1993, an early step on the road to sainthood. At present the Congregation for the Causes of Saints is considering two alleged miracles as it investigates whether he should be beatified.

Fr. Hotze told CNA that the military chaplain exemplified hope and charity.

He instilled in fellow prisoners of war the hope “that they would return home and be reunited with their families.”

“His whole life was an act of charity … both as a priest and as a chaplain,” Fr. Hotze said. “He was willing to give up his life for others.”

President Barack Obama is expected to present the Medal of Honor to Fr. Kapaun’s sister-in-law Helen Kapaun, 83, and her children. He called Mrs. Kapaun in December to tell her about the honor. An official announcement is expected later this month.

Only 3,460 military service members have received the award since its introduction during the Civil War.

Previous Post

February 26, 2013

Lawmakers demand account of Planned Parenthood funds

Next Post

February 26, 2013 Pope Benedict's new name revealed

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who said, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord"?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Joshua David Moses Samuel