Let me tell you a tale about a fellow man of faith, also from my home state of Kansas.
Father Emil Joseph Kapaun, a Catholic priest and U.S. Army chaplain, exemplified courage, faith, and selflessness through his service in World War II and the Korean War. Born on April 20, 1916, in rural Pilsen, Kansas, to Czech immigrant parents, Kapaun’s life was marked by devotion to God and country, culminating in his death as a prisoner of war in 1951. His extraordinary acts of bravery and compassion have since inspired a journey toward canonization, with significant milestones achieved in the decades following his death.
Venerable Emil Joseph Kapaun (April 20, 1916 – May 23, 1951) was a Catholic priest and U.S. Army chaplain born in Pilsen, Kansas. Ordained in 1940, he served as a priest in the Diocese of Wichita before joining the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps in 1944. Kapaun ministered to soldiers… pic.twitter.com/L7yhtXIV7E
— Father V (@father_rmv) May 23, 2025
Emil Kapaun grew up on a farm in Marion County, Kansas, immersed in a tight-knit Czech-American community. His early education at Pilsen High School, followed by studies at Conception Abbey Seminary College in Missouri, set the foundation for his spiritual path. In 1940, he graduated from Kenrick Theological Seminary in St. Louis and was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Wichita. His first Mass, celebrated at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church in Pilsen, marked the beginning of a ministry defined by service.
Kapaun’s calling extended beyond the parish. In 1943, he served as an auxiliary chaplain at Herington Army Airfield in Kansas before entering the U.S. Army Chaplain School in 1944. His initial assignment in the Burma Theater during World War II saw him ministering to soldiers and local communities, often traveling thousands of miles by jeep or plane to offer spiritual support. After the war, Kapaun pursued a Master’s degree in Education at Catholic University of America, returning to active duty in 1948 at Fort Bliss, Texas, before deploying to Japan in 1949.
In 1950, Kapaun joined the 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, in Japan, arriving in Korea shortly after North Korea’s invasion of the South. As the U.S. forces faced intense combat, Kapaun’s bravery shone. During a retreat, he and an assistant risked enemy fire to rescue a wounded soldier, an act that earned him the Bronze Star Medal with a “V” for valor. Stationed on the front lines, Kapaun tirelessly supported troops, celebrating Mass on a Jeep’s hood, administering sacraments, and offering comfort amidst relentless fighting.
In November 1950, during the Battle of Unsan, Chinese forces overwhelmed Kapaun’s regiment. Refusing to abandon the wounded, he stayed behind, rescuing nearly 40 men under heavy fire—an act of heroism that later earned him the Medal of Honor in 2013. Captured by the Chinese, Kapaun endured a grueling 87-mile march to a prisoner-of-war camp in Pyoktong, North Korea. There, despite brutal conditions—malnutrition, disease, and freezing temperatures—he remained a beacon of hope. He stole food to feed fellow prisoners, led prayers, and resisted communist indoctrination, earning admiration for his resilience and compassion.
Big news about an American Hero!
— U.S. Army (@USArmy) March 5, 2021
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced today that Korean War Medal of Honor recipient, Army Chaplain (Capt.) Emil Joseph Kapaun, has been accounted for. 🇺🇸
Release: ➡️ https://t.co/QhUGMhxxDf pic.twitter.com/ITRN9DmdQF
Weakened by dysentery, pneumonia, and a blood clot, Kapaun’s health deteriorated in captivity. On March 25, 1951, he led an Easter sunrise service, a testament to his enduring faith. Two months later, on May 23, 1951, he succumbed to malnutrition and pneumonia in the camp’s so-called “hospital.” Fellow prisoners buried him in a marked grave, separate from the mass burials, a detail confirmed years later by survivor William Hansen. Kapaun’s remains were repatriated during Operation Glory in 1953 but remained unidentified until 2021, when the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency confirmed their identity. A Mass of Christian Burial was held in Wichita, Kansas, where his remains were laid to rest with military honors in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. That is also where the High School that bears his name resides: Kapaun Mount Carmel.
Father Kapaun’s journey toward sainthood reflects the Catholic Church’s rigorous process of canonization, which recognizes individuals who lived lives of heroic virtue. In 1993, Pope John Paul II declared Kapaun a Servant of God, the first step in the process, acknowledging his potential for sainthood. This stage involves an initial review of the candidate’s life and writings to ensure alignment with Church teachings.
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In 2025, Pope Francis advanced Kapaun’s cause by declaring him Venerable, recognizing his life of heroic virtue. This second stage affirms that Kapaun lived with exceptional faith, hope, and charity. The next steps toward canonization—beatification and sainthood—require verified miracles attributed to Kapaun’s intercession. Typically, one miracle is needed for beatification, and a second for canonization. The Diocese of Wichita has actively supported this cause, gathering testimonies of Kapaun’s impact, including alleged healings attributed to his intercession, which are under Vatican review.
From the hospital, #PopeFrancis issues decrees on sainthood causes and recognizes U.S. Father Emil J. Kapaun's "offer of life" -- a category similar to martyrdom.
— Catholic News Service Rome (@CatholicNewsSvc) February 25, 2025
The Kansas-born priest died in a prisoner of war camp in North Korea in 1951.
(📸CNS/courtesy Raymond Skeehan) pic.twitter.com/IsJzhcofbM
Father Emil Kapaun’s life, marked by self-sacrifice and unwavering faith, continues to inspire. His recognition as a Medal of Honor recipient and his progress toward sainthood highlight a legacy that transcends military and religious spheres. From the battlefields of Korea to the harsh confines of a POW camp, Kapaun’s actions embodied Christ-like love and courage. As the Church continues to evaluate his cause, his story serves as a powerful reminder of the impact one person’s faith and bravery can have on the world.
— Dan Scavino (@Scavino47) May 25, 2025
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