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)