Chaplains Memorial

In past wars, chaplains were known for heroism in battles at sea and in the field. Many suffered wounds, some were killed in action, some died as enemy captives, and some, like members of their flocks, were awarded the Medal of Honor. In the history of the United States, four priests were awarded the Medal of Honor: Joseph T. O'Callahan, commander, Chaplain Corps, United States Navy, on U.S.S. Franklin near Kobe, Japan, on 19 March 1945; Vincent R. Capodanno, lieutenant, Chaplain Corps, United States Navy, with the 1st Marine Division in the Republic of Vietnam on 4 September 1967; Charles J. Watters, major, Chaplain Corps, United States Army, with the 173rd Airborne Brigade in the Republic of Vietnam on 19 November 1967; and Angelo J. Liteky, captain, Chaplain Corps, United States Army, with the 199th Infantry Brigade in the Republic of Vietnam on 6 December 1967. The memorial also later included John M. Whitehead, chaplain, U.S. Army, 15th Indiana Infantry, at Stones River, Tennessee, on 31 December 1862; Francis B. Hall, chaplain, U.S. Army, 16th New York Infantry, at Salem Heights, Virginia, on 3 May 1863; James Hill, 1st lieutenant, chaplain, U.S. Army, Company I, 21st Iowa Infantry, at Champion Hill, Mississippi, on 16 May 1863; Milton L. Haney, regimental chaplain, U.S. Army, 55th Illinois Infantry, at Atlanta, Georgia, on 22 July 1864; and Emil Kapaun, captain, Chaplain Corps, United States Army, 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, at Unsan, Korea, on 2 November 1951. These chaplains served their God by serving their fellow man in the Armed Forces and were remembered for loving their country more than they loved their lives.

Pennsylvania · United States