On Labor Day, September 4, 1967, at 04:30, during Operation Swift in the Thang Binh District of the Que Son Valley, Company D, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines was attacked in its night defensive position by a large People’s Army of Vietnam (PAVN) unit of approximately 2,500 near the village of Dong Son. The outnumbered and disorganized company needed support, and Company B was sent to assist. By 09:14, 26 Marines were confirmed dead. At 09:25, the commander of 1st Battalion requested additional reinforcements, and Companies K and M from the 3rd Battalion were committed to the battle, still leaving the Marines greatly outnumbered by the PAVN.[5]
When Capodanno heard that two platoons of M Company from his battalion were taking casualties and about to be overrun by the PAVN, the unarmed chaplain went among the wounded and dying Marines of 2nd Platoon, helping and comforting them and giving last rites. That afternoon, he was wounded in the hand, arms and legs. Refusing medical evacuation, in the early evening he went to help a seriously wounded Navy corpsman and two wounded Marines only yards (meters) from an enemy machine gun and was killed;[1] 14 Marines and two corpsmen from the battalion were also killed.[6] His body was recovered and buried in his family’s plot in St. Peter’s Cemetery (Staten Island).[7][8]
On December 27, 1968, Secretary of the Navy Paul Ignatius notified the Capodanno family that he would posthumously be awarded the Medal of Honor. The ceremony was held January 7, 1969.
Congressional Medal of Honor Society
Times: The Catholic World Report
YouTube Video: For Thou Art With Me
YouTube Video: Father Capodanno – Vietnam War – Forgotten History
YouTube Video: Capodanno Film – The Field Afar