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Vincent R. Capodanno - NOTES FROM THE VIRTUAL WALL

10 May 1999

During the Vietnam War 240 men received the nation's highest military award . . .
The Medal of Honor. Of those 240 brave men, 149 received the Medal of Honor
posthumously, including Vincent Capodanno. All 240 MOH citations are published
on Neil Mishalov's web site.

From a friend of Vincent's brother,
Carl Di Maria,

Rank and organization:
Lieutenant, U.S. Navy, Chaplain Corps
3d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein)
Place and date:
Quang Tin Province, Republic of Vietnam, 4 September 1967

Citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the
call of duty as Chaplain of the 3d Battalion, in connection with operations against
enemy forces. In response to reports that the 2d Platoon of M Company was in
danger of being overrun by a massed enemy assaulting force, Lt. Capodanno left
the relative safety of the company command post and ran through an open area
raked with fire, directly to the beleaguered platoon. Disregarding the intense enemy
small-arms, automatic-weapons, and mortar fire, he moved about the battlefield
administering last rites to the dying and giving medical aid to the wounded. When
an exploding mortar round inflicted painful multiple wounds to his arms and legs,
and severed a portion of his right hand, he steadfastly refused all medical aid.
Instead, he directed the corpsmen to help their wounded comrades and, with calm
vigor, continued to move about the battlefield as he provided encouragement by
voice and example to the valiant Marines. Upon encountering a wounded corpsman
in the direct line of fire of an enemy machine gunner positioned approximately 15

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