Father Emil Kapaun To Receive Medal Of Honor

On April 11, President Barack Obama will award Chaplain (Captain) Emil J. Kapaun, of Pilsen, Kansas, the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry.

Chaplain Kapaun will receive the Medal of Honor posthumously for his extraordinary heroism while serving with the 3d Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division during combat operations against an armed enemy at Unsan, Korea and as a prisoner of war from November 1-2, 1950.

The Kansas congressional delegation led the push for Father Kapaun to be awarded the Medal of Honor.

Father Kapaun died in a prison camp in May, 1951.

Chaplain Kapaun’s nephew, Ray Kapaun, and family will join the President at the White House to commemorate his example of selfless service and sacrifice.