Kapaun is a folk hero in these parts, and devotion to him is a mainstay among local catholics, including the kear family. Emil kapaunpriest, soldier and korean war hero is a rare man. The book the miracle of father kapaun ignatius press. At 140 pages, wenzl and heyings the miracles of father kapaun is a slim book by any standard. Official facebook page for the father kapaun guild. As remarkable as this double honor are the noncatholic witnesses who attest to father kapaun s heroism. Emil kapaunpriest, soldier and korean war herois a rare man. Four years after his ordination as a priest of the diocese of wichita, he entered the chaplain corps to. The record of military chaplains is a special category in the service of god and the men who fight, even a service to their enemies, as is the witness of father kapauns death in a prison camp reminds us. Father emil kapauns acts of selfsacrifice bill of rights institute.
Chaplain emil kapaun of the 1st cavalry division by william maher, that book went into. Serving both this book written completely from letters and personal accounts of those who chaplain kaupan provided spiritual guidance, mentorship, and comfort for as a parish priest then as an army chaplain in wwii and korea. His cause for canonization has been opened by the diocese of wichita, and two medical miracles attributed to him are being investigated by the vatican. Kapaun was a military chaplain as a catholic kansan, i am very familiar with venerable fr. In tracking down the story of father kapaun for the wichita eagle, wenzl and heying uncovered a paradox. President obama awards medal of honor to father emil kapaun. If you could tell pope francis one thing about catholic. President obama recognized the army chaplain with the medal of honor in 20. Jews and muslims who either served with the military chaplain in the. And after the civil war, a southern chaplain, father abram ryan, churned out a book of poems lamenting the fall of the confederacy. Your book also tells the story of father emil kapaun, a sainthood candidate from kansas who died in a chinese prisonerofwar camp after the 1950 battle of. Emil kapaun, a kansas priest and korean war hero from pilsen, who led an extraordinary life.
Army chaplain father emil joseph kapaun, who died may 23, 1951, in a north korean prisoner of war camp, is pictured in an undated photo celebrating mass in south korea. Whats more, the authors have managed to make it two books in one. Father emil kapaun, shepherd in combat boots this article is about fr. Father emil kapaun gave his life during the korean war, but his selfless faith saved and inspired his fellow soldiers. Kapaun had celebrated holy mass for the soldiers of the battalion he served in. Kapaun, poses for a photo in the white house, before the medal of honor was posthumously to chaplain kapaun. Kapaun s ordinary background as the son of czech immigrant farmers in kansas sowed the seeds of his greatness. Sharing the life of servant of god, chaplain emil kapaun, korean war hero and medal of. Jun 01, 2018 father emil kapaun was stationed in japan when the north koreans invaded south korea in june 1950. The miracle of father kapaun will introduce you to this inspiring figure of a man for others. Kapaun, poses for a photo in the white house, before the medal of honor was posthumously to chaplain kapaun at the white house, april 11, 20.
On november 1, 1950, the feast of all saints day, father kapaun celebrated mass for the soldiers in his battalion. Emil and his brother, eugene, grew up in a stable catholic household. Emil kapaun was born in 1916 on a rural farm in kansas, to parents of germanbohemian ancestry. Bill was with father kapaun during the korean war and was a fellow pow for over 2 years. The catholic priest was born in 1916 in rural pilsen, kansas to farmers enos and elizabeth kapaun. Kapaun was a chaplain in the burma theater of world war ii, then served. Arthur tonnes the story of chaplain kapaun which contains a good number of letters from father kapaun give readers a good picture of a fine kansas man of god. Jan, 2016 chases hometown of colwich is only 60 miles from where emil kapauns was born and raised, although the distance feels shorter since the region is so tightknit.
The first, which occupies the books first hundred or so pages, is the story of father emil kapaun, a kansasborn catholic priest who volunteers for service in the korean war, despite having served in world war ii, and. Emil kapaun, a kansas priest and korean war hero from pilsen, who led an extraordinary life and whose cause for beatification. I invite you to discover a priest, army chaplain, and hero on the pages of this book. A cause for canonization are open for both father capodanno and father kapaun. When the enlisted men refused to carry out tasks, he would do them. Reading the story of chaplain kapaun will inspire you. A saint among us, the father kapaun guild, hillsboro free press, hillsboro, ks, 2006 about the author. Father emil kapaun, focus of the recent book the miracle of father kapaun. His cause for sainthood has been opened in his diocese. A kansas priest recalls the holy deeds of servant of god emil kapaun, a pow and chaplain during the korean war, whose path to sainthood will meet a. Prayer to obtain a favor through the intercession of the servant of god father vincent r. The story of medal of honor recipient father emil kapaun. Born on holy thursday, april 20, 1916, on a farm in pilsen, ks population 100, emil kapaun was raised in a devout household, where he tended the family farm, and attended seminary before entering the army chaplain core and deployed in 1950 to the perilous front lines of wartorn korea.
Just as remarkable are the many noncatholic witnesses who attest to father kapauns heroism. After you get to know him through these pages, you will want to ask him to carry your worries and prayers to god. The same holds true with even more earnestness for roy wenzls eight part series for the wichita eagle, the miracle of father kapaun. When the united states entered world war ii, he asked to become a military chaplain. Mar 07, 20 book trailer the miracle of father kapaun.
The story of chaplain kapaun, patriot priest of the korean conflict. It was through sheer grit, faith, and humor that fr. May god who has offered healing and strength through the hands of the his only son, our lord, and through christs many servants grant me the favor of his healing hand through the intercession of his servant, father vincent capodanno. In his book, a shepherd in combat boots, william maher writes that father kapaun himself was the principle cause of his death.
Although he had only one sibling, his family was one of the poorest in the town, and hard work and industry were necessities on the kapauns farm. He served during three wars and numerous operations during the cold war. No praise is too great from the men who were with him. Emil joseph kapaun 19161951 was a roman catholic priest and united states army captain who served as a united states army chaplain during world war ii and the korean war. Raised on a farm in pilsen, kapaun was ordained in wichita in 1940 and served as a parish priest in his hometown before joining the united states armys chaplain corp during world war ii. At his home parish in kansas stands a statue of father emil kapaun, a catholic. Priest, soldier, and korean war hero, i was not sure what else i could learn about the man whom i ask to intercede for me and my family daily. Emil joseph kapaun april 20, 1916 may 23, 1951 was a roman catholic priest and united states army captain who served as a united states army chaplain during world war ii and the korean war. May 06, 2017 during the korean war, captain emil kapaun, u.
Broglio, archbishop for the military services, usa. Father ocallahan additionally was credited with inspiring the crew to fight the fires. May vincent, who died bringing consolation to the marines he was privileged to serve on the field of battle, intercede in my need as i pray in the name of the father, and of the son. Our council was named for the heroic us army chaplain, father emil kapaun, who is currently in the process of being elevated to sainthood. Chaplain watters unyielding perseverance and selfless devotion to his comrades was in keeping with the highest traditions of the u. Through the intercession of your servant, father vincent capodanno, missionary and catholic navy chaplain, grant the favor i earnestly seek mention the request.
Jul 14, 2011 this time father samson would remain a pow in a stalag until the end of the war, but remain busy aiding the sick and saying mass. As remarkable as this double honor are the noncatholic witnesses who attest to father kapauns heroism. Sharing the life of servant of god, chaplain emil kapaun, korean war hero and medal of honor winner. Growing up he was much like any other hardworking farm boy, but was especially mindful of god and others.
The first, which occupies the book s first hundred or so pages, is the story of father emil kapaun, a kansasborn catholic priest who volunteers for service in the korean war, despite having served in world war ii, and is captured by. He was captured by the north koreans and died in prison at the age of 35. His faith, generosity, and grit began with his familys humility, thrift, and hard work. Kapaun was awarded the bronze star in korea for heroism in august 1950the chaplain ran through enemy fire, dragging soldiers to safetymonths before his detention. His care of the soldiers imprisoned with him inspired hope in them. The circuitriding combat chaplain by chaplain frank griepp, self published, 2000 authors collection. Emil kapaun was a kansas priest and korean war hero who led an extraordinary life and may be on the road to sainthood. Army, was the catholic chaplain assigned to the 3rd battalion of the 8th cavalry. The kenrick glennon seminary painting, in the gallery, was copied from their website.
Kapaun inspired hundreds of fellow captives through imprisonment in one of north koreas most infamous pow. Kapaun, during a ceremony in the east room of the white house, april 11, 20. The father kapuan story has long been in need of more widespread knowledge. Emil kapauns path to sainthood to face vatican milestone. As a boy, emil learned to repair farm implements, a skill that would serve him well later in life, during his internment at a prisonerofwar camp. The photo of father kapaun holding his damaged pipe was scanned from the story of chaplain kapaun by father arthur tonne, pg 150. At the time this book was originally published in 1954, the author, father arthur tonne, had authored 22 books, mostly volumes of sermons and collections of. Two days later, in that house of death, father kapaun breathed his last breath. In november of 1950, america forces he was serving with were overwhelmed by chinese and north korean soldiers near unsan, north korea.
His body was taken away, his grave unmarked, his remains unrecovered to this day. The miracle of father kapaun book omaha public library. Father emil kapaun is the most decorated military chaplain in us history, having. The story of father kapaun tells a story of a man from a much earlier age who answered the call of his god then his country. By constantly sharing his starvation rations and giving away pieces of clothing, maher asserts, he unwittingly became physically weaker and lowered his resistance to disease. Emil kapaun was many miles away with many others on what came to be known as a death march, having been taken prisoner in the aftermath of the battle of unsan. The story of chaplain kapaun, patriot priest of the korean. Ray kapaun visiting bill richardson in fayetteville, nc and ft.
His division fought along the bloody pusan perimeter, and he tended to the physical and spiritual needs of the men, regardless of race and creed. Kapaun was a chaplain in the burma theater of world war ii, then served again as a chaplain with the u. Father emil kapaun is the most decorated military chaplain in us history, having received over a dozen military honors, including a 20 congressional medal of honor, a purple heart, and a bronze star. May 25, 2016 day by day, fr emil kapaun knew exactly what the real enemy was. Find the new release catholic book, the miracle of fr. Apr 11, 20 kapaun was awarded the bronze star in korea for heroism in august 1950the chaplain ran through enemy fire, dragging soldiers to safetymonths before his detention. He has also been nominated for the highest military medal, the medal of honor. Father sampson would survive to serve as a chaplain in the korean war and later become the u.
On sunday, june 29, 2008, father emil kapauns cause for canonization was officially opened by the wichita, kansas, diocese, with a solemn memorial mass held at his parish church, saint john nepomucene, in. Franklin was severely damaged and turned into a blazing inferno by a kamikaze attack off japan in march 1945. The story of chaplain kapaun, 1954 biography, a book by arthur tonne father emil kapauns life, deeds compiled. Ocallahan received the medal of honor due to his bravery administering to the dead and wounded when the aircraft carrier u. He was awarded posthumously the medal of honor, the nations highest military award, and is also being considered by the vatican for canonization as a saint. Emil kapaun priest, soldier and korean war hero is a rare man. This is a role that the father kapaun guild seeks to carry on as we pray and work for his canonization as a saint in the catholic church. Mar 18, 2010 the same holds true with even more earnestness for roy wenzls eight part series for the wichita eagle, the miracle of father kapaun.
Your book also tells the story of father emil kapaun, a sainthood candidate from kansas who died in a chinese prisonerofwar camp after the 1950 battle of unsan during the korean war, eventually. Emil joseph kapaun pronounced kay puhn was born in 1916 in pilsen, kansas. Ignatius press, 200 pages, hardcover released on march 28, 20. The good thief on easter morning, march 25, 1951, the catholic priest mounted the steps of a partially destroyed church, and turned to face his congregation, some 60 mengaunt, foulsmelling, in tattered clothing. Chaplain kapaun was awarded the medal for his extraordinary heroism while serving with the 3d battalion, 8th cavalry regiment, 1st cavalry division during combat operations against an armed enemy at unsan, korea and as a prisoner of war from november 12, 1950. Vatican to meet soon on next step in emil kapaun sainthood. Father watters is buried at arlington national cemetery. With independence day upon us, heres an american hero that catholics can especially turn to as the worlds reasoning starts to look a lot more crazy than usual. The miracle of father kapaun priest, soldier, and korean war hero book. Kapaun celebrates a field mass on the hood of a jeep. Kapaun 19161951,a catholic priest and military chaplain who died in a. Kapaun enlisted in 1944 in the army, served for two years in burma and india, then returned to civilian life. Army chaplain born in the small czech farming community of pilsen, kansas on april 20, 1916.
This book tells the moving story of father emil kapaun, a chaplain from kansas who served during the korean war. Apr 11, 20 president barack obama embraces ray kapaun after presenting him with the medal of honor awarded posthumously to his uncle, chaplain captain emil j. Father emil kapaun, a parish priest in central kansas in the 1940s, entered the armys chaplain corp during world war ii and later served in korea. Emil kapuan to a fellow pow, before being led to the infamous death house in north koreas pyoktong prison camp. Army chaplain born in the small czech farming community of pilsen. Jews and muslims who either served with the military chaplain in the thick of battle or. Father emil kapaun was stationed in japan when the north koreans invaded south korea in june 1950. The miracle of father kapaun dvd the catholic company. See more ideas about catholic, army chaplain and father. The prisoners testified to father kapaun s role in their survival and began to tell the world about their heroic and saintly chaplain. At the time this book was originally published in 1954, the author, father arthur tonne, had authored 22 books, mostly volumes of sermons and collections of stories for preaching and teaching. What life is like as a catholic military chaplain america. Emil kapaunpriest, soldier, and korean war herowas a rare man. Nov 11, 2017 father emil kapaun gave his life during the korean war, but his selfless faith saved and inspired his fellow soldiers.
Southeast kansas road trip father emil kapaun a catholic. He will receive a medal of honor by the white house and is also under consideration at the vatican for canonization as a saint. Immediately, the priest went with the 1st cavalry division to repel the communist invasion. Father kapaun resources resources records baptismal certificate. His division fought along the bloody pusan perimeter, and he tended to the physical and spiritual needs of the men, regardless of race and. He is being considered by the white house for a medal of honor and by the vatican for canonization as a saint.