Is the Chaplain a Saint?
Father Emil Kapaun, Chaplain, US Army Are chaplains saints? Well, up to this point none have been officially declared to be saints, but that may soon change. An Army chaplain who died as a Prisoner of War during the Korean conflict is going to be considered for sainthood by the Roman Catholic Church. Chaplain (Captain) Emil Kapaun was known for his exceptional and courageous care for the wounded before his capture, and for his exceptional and courageous care for his fellow prisoners during captivity. This extraordinary priest served as battalion chaplain for the 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. He was captured in Unsan, North Korea during action on November 1-2, 1950. Kapaun's regiment took the brunt of the first battle with the hundreds of thousands of Chinese troops who had secretly infiltrated into Korea. The fighting was intense and up-close and for two days Kapaun ministered to the wounded and dying. When his unit was finally ov...