Humbert Roque Versace

"Rocky" Versace's story is well known, he has been a major part of a couple of books that were written. I don't want to try to re-tell his story, I just simply want to honor and remember him on the fiftieth anniversary of his death today.

He was a special man and soldier. A beloved family member and friend. Rocky will never be forgotten, not because of how he died, but because of how he lived.

Humbert Roque Versace Rank and organization: Captain, U.S. Army, Intelligence Advisor, Special Operations Place:Republic of Vietnam Entered service at: Norfolk, Virginia Born:Honolulu, Hawaii Citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while a prisoner of war during the period of October 29, 1963 to September 26, 1965 in the Republic of Vietnam. While accompanying a Civilian Irregular Defense Group patrol engaged in combat operations in Thoi Binh District, An Xuyen Province, Republic of Vietnam on October 29, 1963, Captain Versace and the CIDG assault force were caught in an ambush from intense mortar, automatic weapons, and small arms fire from elements of a reinforced enemy Main Force battalion. As the battle raged, Captain Versace fought valiantly and encouraged his CIDG patrol to return fire against overwhelming enemy forces. He provided covering fire from an exposed position to enable friendly forces to withdraw from the killing zone when it was apparent that their position would be overrun, and was severely wounded in the knee and back from automatic weapons fire and shrapnel. He stubbornly resisted capture with the last full measure of his strength and ammunition. Taken prisoner by the Viet Cong, he demonstrated exceptional leadership and resolute adherence to the tenets of the Code of Conduct from the time he entered into a prisoner of war status. Captain Versace assumed command of his fellow American prisoners, and despite being kept locked in irons in an isolation box, raised their morale by singing messages to popular songs of the day, and leaving inspiring messages at the latrine. Within three weeks of captivity, and despite the severity of his untreated wounds, he attempted the first of four escape attempts by dragging himself on his hands and knees out of the camp through dense swamp and forbidding vegetation to freedom. Crawling at a very slow pace due to his weakened condition, the guards quickly discovered him outside the camp and recaptured him. Captain Versace scorned the enemy's exhaustive interrogation and indoctrination efforts, and inspired his fellow prisoners to resist to the best of their ability. When he used his Vietnamese language skills to protest improper treatment of the American prisoners by the guards, he was put into leg irons and gagged to keep his protestations out of earshot of the other American prisoners in the camp. The last time that any of his fellow prisoners heard from him, Captain Versace was singing God Bless America at the top of his voice from his isolation box. Unable to break his indomitable will, his faith in God, and his trust in the United States of America and his fellow prisoners, Captain Versace was executed by the Viet Cong on September 26, 1965. Captain Versaces extraordinary heroism, self-sacrifice, and personal bravery involving conspicuous risk of life above and beyond the call of duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army, and reflect great credit to himself and the U.S. Armed Forces.

POW/MIA Recognition Day

Let us strive to make every day a day in which we remember those...

Chaplains: Medal of Honor

A few months ago, I read Cold Days in Hell: American POWs in Korea by William C. Latham. One of the POW's featured was a man name Emil Kapaun, a Roman Catholic priest. His story intrigued me quite a bit and after doing some further research, I learned he had been awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in the POW camp in North Korea. The man was truly a blessing to those around him in some of the most harsh conditions ever faced by our men.

His Medal of Honor citation reads:

Chaplain Emil J. Kapaun, while assigned to Headquarters Company, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism, patriotism, and selfless service between Nov. 1-2, 1950. During the Battle of Unsan, Kapaun was serving with the 3rd Battalion of the 8th Cavalry Regiment. As Chinese Communist forces encircled the battalion, Kapaun moved fearlessly from foxhole to foxhole under direct enemy fire in order to provide comfort and reassurance to the outnumbered Soldiers. He repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to recover wounded men, dragging them to safety. When he couldn't drag them, he dug shallow trenches to shield them from enemy fire. As Chinese forces closed in, Kapaun rejected several chances to escape, instead volunteering to stay behind and care for the wounded. He was taken as a prisoner of war by Chinese forces on Nov. 2, 1950.After he was captured, Kapaun and other prisoners were marched for several days northward toward prisoner-of-war camps. During the march Kapaun led by example in caring for injured Soldiers, refusing to take a break from carrying the stretchers of the wounded while encouraging others to do their part.Once inside the dismal prison camps, Kapaun risked his life by sneaking around the camp after dark, foraging for food, caring for the sick, and encouraging his fellow Soldiers to sustain their faith and their humanity. On at least one occasion, he was brutally punished for his disobedience, being forced to sit outside in subzero weather without any garments. When the Chinese instituted a mandatory re-education program, Kapaun patiently and politely rejected every theory put forth by the instructors. Later, Kapaun openly flouted his captors by conducting a sunrise service on Easter morning, 1951.When Kapaun began to suffer from the physical toll of his captivity, the Chinese transferred him to a filthy, unheated hospital where he died alone. As he was being carried to the hospital, he asked God's forgiveness for his captors, and made his fellow prisoners promise to keep their faith. Chaplain Kapaun died in captivity on May 23, 1951.Chaplain Emil J. Kapaun repeatedly risked his own life to save the lives of hundreds of fellow Americans. His extraordinary courage, faith and leadership inspired thousands of prisoners to survive hellish conditions, resist enemy indoctrination, and retain their faith in God and country. His actions reflect the utmost credit upon him, the 1st Cavalry Division, and the United States Army.

As I was learning more about him, I also learned of a man named Joseph O' Callahan. He was also a chaplain. He served a few years earlier during World War 2. Like Capaun, he was awarded the Medal of Honor. His medal coming as a result of his actions during an attack on the USS Franklin, where he had only been stationed for 17 days when a Japanese pilot dropped 2 bombs on it. His citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as chaplain on board the U.S.S. Franklin when that vessel was fiercely attacked by enemy Japanese aircraft during offensive operations near Kobe, Japan, on 19 March 1945. A valiant and forceful leader, calmly braving the perilous barriers of flame and twisted metal to aid his men and his ship, Lt. Comdr. O'Callahan groped his way through smoke-filled corridors to the open flight deck and into the midst of violently exploding bombs, shells, rockets, and other armament. With the ship rocked by incessant explosions, with debris and fragments raining down and fires raging in ever-increasing fury, he ministered to the wounded and dying, comforting and encouraging men of all faiths; he organized and led firefighting crews into the blazing inferno on the flight deck; he directed the jettisoning of live ammunition and the flooding of the magazine; he manned a hose to cool hot, armed bombs rolling dangerously on the listing deck, continuing his efforts, despite searing, suffocating smoke which forced men to fall back gasping and imperiled others who replaced them. Serving with courage, fortitude, and deep spiritual strength, Lt. Cmdr. O'Callahan inspired the gallant officers and men of the Franklin to fight heroically and with profound faith in the face of almost certain death and to return their stricken ship to port. 

I wanted to highlight their service here after meeting a veteran chaplain just a few days ago. When I did a quick search, I found out that there have been 3 other chaplains that have been awarded the Medal of Honor. Angelo Liteky for his actions in Vietnam, Charles Watters, for his actions in Vietnam, and Vincent Capodanno for his actions in Vietnam. All five of these men went above and beyond the call of duty, saved many lives and probably, during the course of their work as chaplains did some things that helped countless men survive these wars with a hope that went far beyond just surviving.

These are just five men. I have no doubt that there have been thousands who have served in this capacity. I have read stories of some of the most hardened warriors who were humbled by the words and deeds of these special veterans. There is a saying, "there are no atheists in foxholes". I don't know of the accuracy of that saying, but I am sure that many have need of the services of our Armed Forces chaplains. Thank God that they are there and willing to serve, not only God, but also alongside their fellow men and women in uniform.

UPDATE

I have since learned of 4 more chaplians who served during the Civil War that were awarded the Medal, they are:

John Milton Whitehead (Chaplain, U.S. Army, 15th Indiana Infantry); Francis Bloodgood Hall (Chaplain, U.S. Army, 16th New York Infantry); James Hill (1st Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Company I, 21st Iowa Infantry); and Milton Lorenzo Haney (Regimental Chaplain, U.S. Army, 55th Illinois Infantry)

The Inspiration

This series of posts on facebook (which somehow deleted one of them) is what inspired me to create this blog and facebook page to see where I could take this. Day 3 is missing and I wont try to re-create it. It concerned World War II veterans.




One of my favorite holidays is coming up and I shall participate by being thankful every day up to the actual day. So, for day one (I'm a day behind, so you get two today). I am thankful for all of the brave men who, against all odds, stood up to a tyrant king and fought for their independence. Not only for theirs, but for all of their fellow countrymen of the time. All of us have benefited from their desire to be a free people and should never forget those long dead who stood up then for us now. Thank you to all of those who fought for our independence in the Revolutionary War.

Day 2: Thank you to all of our veterans, past and present who served as POW's. The circumstances you endured during your service to our country were in most cases, abhorrent. To say thank you, seems so much less than the sentiment that I truly wish to impart to you. I cannot imagine the hell that you were put through. You deserve to be honored so much more than you are. Thank you American POW's.

Day 4: I'm thankful for the veterans who fought in the Korean War. It is often called the forgotten war. We cannot let those who fought there ever feel forgotten. A nation who forgets those who fought for it will soon herself be forgotten. These vets fought in some of the most harsh conditions of any war we've fought. a very large percentage lost limbs, not from combat injuries, but from frostbite. Most of these folks are now in their 70's. I'm so very thankful every time I get to meet one of them. They are not to be forgotten in my lifetime!

Day 5: I am thankful for the veteran's that served during peacetime. War is hell, for sure, but serving during peacetime is no less important. In fact, one of the reasons we have had periods of peace is because of our superior, well prepared military. The vets that have served in occupied places around the world were there to KEEP peacetime a reality. They were just one chaotic, lunatic inspired situation from being involved in conflict, every day of their service. That cannot be an easy reality. So to all of you, I say thank you!

Day 6: Vietnam Veterans. I have so much respect for these guys. They were treated like garbage after returning home from a true nightmare. Shunned by the country that they fought so hard for. Made to feel less than human by so many who shouted and spit at them. They deserve to be honored. They deserve to be lifted up into the annals of American History as some of the most revered heroes we ever sent to war. At the very least, they deserve to be thanked and acknowledged for what they did and endured. Thank you sir. Thank you...

Day 7: I'm thankful for vets who are in the business of helping other vets. Chris Kyle comes to mind. His mission was helping vets who were suffering and having a hard time adjusting back to civilian life. Organizations like the Wounded Warrior Project who help vets in need. Vets who volunteer at hospitals and rehab facilities, helping wounded soldiers get back to as normal a life as they can. Vets like numerous motorcycle clubs that do all kinds of charity events to help those in need, fallen brothers and their families. Veterans like these and countless other groups and individuals have made it part of their lives to be there for other vets in need. They are absolutely priceless. Thank you to all who continue to serve in this manner.

Day 8: There have been 3463 recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor. If you read the citations of these heroes, you'll find they come from every branch of service, from many different ranks, different nationalities, served in many different conflicts and were probably different in many other ways. One similarity you will find in all of them is that they put their lives on the line for their fellow soldiers. Many of them died in doing so. They found themselves in a situation where they could have very easily just panicked and did nothing. But they didn't. They moved forward and took charge, doing what they felt they had to do. To them, I would imagine if you could ask them, they had no choice. The choice was to act, at that moment, in a way that went well beyond what an otherwise normal person might do. These heroes did some amazing things and saved many, many lives in the process. For these veterans, 78 which are still living, I am very thankful. I would imagine that there have been many, many others who directly benefited from their actions, who are incredibly thankful and say they owe their lives to these men(and one woman). Thank you for doing what you would say was "just your job". You are truly great American heroes.

Day 9: I am thankful for the veterans that have been fighting the war on terror for the last number of years. I think these folks have faced an enemy unlike any we've ever encountered. As a result of some of the tactics they've faced, some have been damaged in ways we never really thought about. The psychological impact has been devastating to many. I can't imagine the hell they've been through. I have read several books from vets on this subject and the impact is not figurative, in the least, it is very real and widespread. That vets that have had to deal with this and other unnecessary negative consequences is tragic in many ways. I cannot thank them enough for what they have done and dealt with and continue to deal with.

Day 10: I am thankful for all of you that I know personally that have served in the United States Armed Forces. If I try to name all of you, I would undoubtedly forget someone. From those of you I went to school with, to those I have known since childhood, to those I have worked with, to those of you I have gone to church with, to those all of you whom I call friend, thank you! Thank you for giving part of your life to the service of our country. Thank you for doing your part to try and keep me free to say all the things I say. Thank you for making me proud to be able to call you my friends! I love you all.

Day 11: I have mentioned in the last 10 days, countless veterans. I appreciate them all and what they have done for our country. I'd like to add one more on this final day of my thanking, my father. Without a doubt the veteran that means the most to me. I love you Dad.