Wednesday marked 57 years since Father Vincent Capodanno died in action while ministering to wounded Marines on the battlefield during the Vietnam War. Born on Feb. 13, 1929, and ordained a priest on June 14, 1958, the Elm Park native participated in seven combat operations before dying at the age of 38 on Sept. 4, 1967.
Also known as “the grunt padre,” Father Capodanno was shot 27 times in the back, neck and head on the battlefield in Que Son Valley when he refused to seek cover during the battle known as Operation Swift. Despite his own injuries, the chaplain prayed with a young Marine he saw lying mortally wounded in an open field and fell by his side as he was ministering last rites.
