Capodanno (FF 1093) - Naval Cruise Book

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CAPODANNO: THE MAN Vincent Robert Capodanno was born in Richmond County, New York of Feb. 1 3, 1 929. As an avid swimmer and great sports enthusiast, this native Staten Islander led an active life of the American boy. After his 1947 graduation from Curtis High School, he began the rigorous curriculum in preparation for the priesthood. Following a year ' s study at Fordham University, Vincent Capodanno attended Maryknoll Seminaries in Massachusetts and New York receiving the degrees of Bachelor of Sacred Theology and Master of Religious Education. Then on June 7, 1957, he was ordained by the late Cardinal Spellman and shortly after, fervently devoted eight years of Catholic Missionary service to the needy peoples of Taiwan and Hong Kong. Volunteering his services as a Navy Chaplain on December 28, 1965, Father Capodanno received his commission as a Lieutenant in the Chaplain Corps of the United States Naval Reserve. After completing ordination at Naval Chaplain School, Newport, R.I., Lt Capodanno requested duty with the Marines in Vietnam. Joining the First Marine Div. in 1966, Father Capodanno immediately began making his presence in combat operation of Chu Lai a regular part of his duties as Battalion Chaplain. To stay with his men. Chaplain Capodanno even relinquished thirty days of Christmas holiday leave and after serving one year, he extended his tour of duty for six months on the condition that he be allowed to remain with the infantry. Father Capodanno ' s greatest desire was just that - to remain with his troops and to experience their fears and give them moral support. Then on the morning of Sept. 4, 1967, the decision was no longer his to make. In an act so typfying his love for life and for the lives of others. Father Capodanno was fatally wounded by enemy sniper fire in Quang Tin Province. In Jan. 1969, Lieutenant Vincent R. Capodanno became the second Chaplain in the history of the United States Navy to receive our nations highest honor. For conspicuous gallantry and intrepedity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty . . . , he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. In addition. Chaplain Capodanno earned the National Defense Service Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal. The Government of Vietnam awarded him the Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Silver Star and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with device. Another lasting tribute was paid Father Capodanno on Feb. 7, 1968, the Newport Naval Base dedicated the Capodanno Memorial Chapel in his honor. 69