Born and raised in Kansas, Fr. Emil Kapaun served both God and country in his role as U.S. Army chaplain in the Korean War.
Fr. Kapaun’s unit, the 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, was part of the first American troops sent to assist the South Koreans following North Korea’s invasion on June 25, 1950.
Over the months that followed, Fr. Kapaun became known for his bravery and dedication to his troops. Numerous times he barely escaped with his life.
On one occasion his smoking pipe was shot out of his mouth by a sniper’s bullet. On another, he lost all of his possessions, including his Mass kit and Jeep. After this, he always carried the Blessed Sacrament and the vessels for Mass on his body, along with his confession stole and holy oils so he would always be ready to administer the sacraments.
While many were hopeful that the Korean would be short-lived, just as the North Korean Army was almost defeated, the Chinese decided to enter the war.
On the night of November 1, 1950, Fr. Kapaun’s unit was surrounded by Communist forces and a fierce battle ensued. As it became clear that the battle was lost, Fr. Kapuan (and an Army Medic, Doctor Clarence Anderson) elected to remain with the wounded troops even though capture was inevitable.
After a few days, Father Kapaun and the other prisoners of war were marched between 60-100 miles to a prison camp at Pyoktong. Since those who could not keep up the pace would be shot, Fr. Kapaun went along offering to carry those who were wounded and encouraging other soldiers to help the weak. Because of his example, many soldiers credited their lives to him during the march to the prison camp.
Over the last seven months of his life, Fr. Kapaun continued to serve his men. While undergoing horrific treatment from the guards, he would still rise early to start the fires for the ill, volunteered to bury the dead (so he could have the opportunity to give them a Catholic burial), and boldly spoke out during the required indoctrination sessions, confronting the Communist lies about the “evil” of religious and the lack of proof for the existence of God.
His Chinese captors hated Fr. Kapaun but so greatly was he beloved that they feared killing him would result in an uprising of prisoners who would protect this man with their lives.
Finally, Fr. Kapaun, suffering from pneumonia and a blood clot in his leg, was ordered to report to the Death House (where ill soldiers were left to die without treatment). When the POWs began to put up a fight, Fr. Kapaun told them, “Don’t worry about me. I’m going where I always wanted to go, and when I get there, I’ll say a prayer for all of you.”
On May 23, 1951, Fr. Kapaun died alone in the Death House. He was 35 years old.
Already awarded the Bronze Star for bravery in battle, Chaplain Kapaun was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions during and after the Battle of Unsan. After years of clamoring that this medal be upgraded, the President of the United States posthumously awarded Chaplain Kapaun the Medal of Honor on April 11, 2013.
This Medal is the highest award given to a military member, and Kapaun is just one of five Chaplains to have received the award since the Civil War (the previous recipients are all Catholic priests).
You can learn more about Fr. Emil Kapaun’s life and cause of sainthood HERE.
Today, we are offering a sale on the Fr. Emil Kapaun Tiny Saint.
We hope that this tiny saint can inspire others to serve with humility and love in imitation of Fr. Kapaun.
And as always--shipping is free for all active and retired military.
Just leave a note on your order and we are happy to refund your shipping.
Thank you for your service and may God bless you.
is the Brand Manager for Holy Heroes after handling many other roles over the years. Make sure you sign up for our emails to receive more of Clara’s writing!
