Vincent R. Capodanno


Vincent Robert Capodanno

Nickname(s)"The Grunt Padre"
Born(1929-02-13)February 13, 1929
Staten Island, New York City
DiedSeptember 4, 1967(1967-09-04) (aged 38)
Thăng Bình District, Quang Tin Province, South Vietnam
Buried
St. Peter's Cemetery, West New Brighton, Staten Island, New York
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service/branch United States Navy Reserve
Years of service1965–1967
RankLieutenant
Unit
Battles/warsVietnam War
Awards

Vincent Robert Capodanno Jr., M.M. (February 13, 1929 – September 4, 1967) was a Catholic priest and Maryknoll Missioner killed in action while serving as a Navy chaplain with a Marine Corps infantry unit during the Vietnam War. He was a posthumous recipient of America's highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor, for heroic actions above and beyond the call of duty. The Catholic Church has declared Capodanno a Servant of God, the first of the four stages toward possible sainthood.