Vincent Robert Capodanno | |
---|---|
Nickname(s) | "The Grunt Padre" |
Born | Staten Island, New York City | February 13, 1929
Died | September 4, 1967 Thăng Bình District, Quang Tin Province, South Vietnam | (aged 38)
Buried | St. Peter's Cemetery, West New Brighton, Staten Island, New York |
Allegiance | United States of America |
Service/ | United States Navy Reserve |
Years of service | 1965–1967 |
Rank | Lieutenant |
Unit | |
Battles/wars | Vietnam 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.