Chaplain Emil J. Kapaun Honored: From Kansas to Korea, A Legacy of Faith and Sacrifice

Portrait of Chaplain (Capt.) Emil Kapaun, post World War II. Kapaun was promoted to Captain on January 3, 1946.

Honoring Chaplain Emil Kapaun at Camp Humphreys

On June 5, 2025, the USAG-Humphreys Religious Support Office hosted a Building Memorialization Ceremony in honor of U.S. Army Chaplain (Capt.) Emil J. Kapaun, who heroically gave his life in service during the Korean War. It was the culmination of a process that included the coordinated efforts of the command and religious support personnel from U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys, the Camp Humphreys Roman Catholic Community, Eighth Army, USFK, and the Office of the Chief of Chaplains.  

A Memorial Ceremony Rooted in Faith and Service

Organized by the staff at the USAG Humphreys Religious Support Office, Sgt. Nicole Silong narrated the ceremony. Chaplain (Col.) Chul W. Kim, USFK Command Chaplain, who spearheaded the idea for the building memorialization, provided the invocation. Chaplain (1st Lt.) Joseph Baltz, with the 41^st Signal Battalion, and one of the priests serving the Camp Humphreys Roman Catholic Community, gave the benediction.  

The ceremony included inspiring remarks by the ceremony host, Col. Ryan K. Workman, U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys Commander, and a sermon excerpt of Chaplain (Capt.) Kapaun’s message, titled, ‘Blessed Are the Peacemakers,’ was originally recorded for the ‘Chaplain’s Hour' on April 21, 1950, in Tokyo, Japan.

As the chapel takes on Chaplain (Capt.) Kapaun’s name, it’s only fitting to reflect on the extraordinary life of service that inspired this honor. From a small Kansas farm to the battlefields of Korea, his journey was defined by humility, courage, and unwavering faith.

 Chaplain (Capt.) Emil Kapaun celebrates Mass for Soldiers at Herington Air Base, Kansas. circa 1942. It was after Father Kapaun saw the need for military chaplains while serving at the Herington Air Base that he felt the call to the military chaplaincy.

The Early Life of Chaplain (Capt.) Emil J. Kapaun: From Kansas Farm Boy to Priest

Born on April 20, 1916, Emil Joseph Kapaun grew up on a farm near Pilsen, Kansas. At an early age, he learned the farm trade, which included repairing equipment. Discerning a call to the priesthood, Emil Kapaun entered Conception Seminary, a boarding high school and college, in 1930. He graduated in 1936 and began his theological studies at Kenrick Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. Graduating in 1940, he was ordained a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Wichita, Kansas, by Bishop Christian Winkelmann on June 9. He was the first Pilsen native to be ordained.

Father Kapaun served as an assistant pastor at his home parish, St. John Nepomucene, in Pilsen. In 1943, Bishop Winkelmann assigned him to also serve as an auxiliary chaplain at the Herington Army Air Field in Herington, Kansas. During those eighteen months, he learned the needs of ministering to soldiers and received a calling to the Army Chaplaincy. In his own words, Father Kapaun felt the need to "spend himself for God."

Chaplain (Capt.) Emil Kapaun writes a letter in Korea, circa 1950. Kapaun spent countless hours writing letters home, both to his family and to the families of fallen soldiers.

From WWII to the Korean War: Chaplain (Capt.) Kapaun’s Military Journey

Finally receiving permission from Bishop Winkelmann after repeated requests, Chaplain (Capt.) Kapaun commissioned in the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps on July 12, 1944, and a month later, attended initial training at the U.S. Army Chaplain School at Fort Devens, Massachusetts. Upon graduation in October 1944, he was stationed at Camp Wheeler, Georgia, where he and others provided religious support to more than 19,000 service members. In March 1945, he served the remainder of World War II in Burma and India. Here, he would often travel great distances through rugged terrain to visit soldiers on the frontlines. On January 3, 1946, he was promoted to the rank of captain, and in July of that same year, he separated from the Army.

Chaplain (Capt.) Emil Kapaun repairs his bicycle on August 11, 1950.

After returning to civilian life, Father Kapaun remained deeply connected to the military community, and his sense of duty soon drew him back. In October 1946, utilizing his G.I. Bill, he studied at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. and earned a Master’s Degree in Education in 1948. Upon the completion of his studies, he desired to return to the Army, believing that “his conscience told him that his priestly duty was with the men of the Armed Forces.”  In September 1948, Chaplain (Capt.) Kapaun reported to Fort Bliss, Texas, assigned to the Anti-Aircraft Artillery Corps. In December 1949, he deployed to Japan, being assigned to the 3^rd Battalion, 8^th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, a post-World War II peace-keeping force.

Chaplain (Capt.) Emil Kapaun conducts a field Mass on the hood of his jeep, August 11, 1950.

Faith on the Front Lines: Chaplain (Capt.) Kapaun’s Heroism in the Korean War

On July 15, 1950, Chaplain (Capt.) Kapaun deployed with his unit to Korea in support of the Korean War, a brutal conflict that erupted in June 1950 after North Korea invaded the South, drawing in United Nations forces led by the United States to defend the Korean Peninsula. His mission was to provide spiritual and religious support to troops engaged in combat.

Chaplain (Capt.) Kapaun rescued a wounded Soldier while under intense enemy fire on August 2, 1950, near Kumchon, located in the southern part of present-day North Korea. For his heroic and selfless actions, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with a "V" device for valor. 

Chaplain (Capt.) Emil Kapaun (right) and a doctor carry an exhausted Soldier off a battlefield in Korea, early in the war. The photo shows Kapaun to the GI's left. The soldier on the GI's right side was Capt. Jerome A. Dolan, a medical officer with the 8th Cavalry regiment.

Captivity and Courage: Chaplain (Capt.) Kapaun’s Time as a POW

On November 1, 1950, the North Korean and Chinese Armies surrounded Chaplain Kapaun's unit near Unsan. He was captured by enemy forces, but managed to escape when friendly forces shot his captors. His commitment to staying with the wounded ultimately led to his second and final capture. On November 2, 1950, Chaplain (Capt.) Kapaun was captured for the final time, after refusing to leave those in his care behind. 

Chaplain Kapaun spent the remainder of the Korean War in the Sambukol and Pyoktong Prisoner of War (POW) camps, located in present-day North Korea. With complete disregard for his safety and comfort, he showed resistance against the orders of the guards by scouring for food, securing medicine, mediating disputes, digging latrines, building fires, fashioning iron sheet vessels to launder the clothing of the wounded, and purifying drinking water. He also continued providing direct religious support through prayers and worship for the POWs at the risk of punishment from his captors. He was feared by the guards and revered by his fellow POWs. The POW survivors of Pyoktong Camp retold numerous accounts of Chaplain (Capt.) Kapaun’s actions, crediting him with saving their lives.  

Tragically, Chaplain (Capt.) Kapaun passed away from malnutrition and pneumonia on May 23, 1951. He was buried by fellow POWs in a single grave. He was one of twelve chaplains to die in Korea. Four U.S. Army Chaplains were POWs in 1950, all of whom died while in captivity.

Ray Kapaun poses for a photo with former President Barack Obama while holding the Medal of Honor that was presented posthumously to his uncle, U.S. Army Chaplain (Capt.) Emil J. Kapaun, April 11, 2013, at the White House. Chaplain (Capt.) Kapaun, a chaplain who served with the 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, was recognized for his actions during combat operations in the Korean War. Captured by U.S. Army)

Legacy of a Military Saint: Awards, Recognition, and Sainthood Process

Decades after his death, Chaplain (Capt.) Kapaun’s story continues to move hearts and minds around the world. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Korean War on April 11, 2013. He became the ninth U.S. Military Chaplain to receive it throughout history. 

At the ceremony, Former Secretary of the Army John McHugh stated: 

"...among recipients of the Medal of Honor, Father Kapaun's story is, in itself, wholly unique, wholly different. He didn't charge a pillbox; he didn't defeat an enemy battalion or brigade or division by himself. Rather, Father Kapaun's only weapons were his steely defiance that inspired his fellow prisoners of war; the words he spoke, which brought comfort to the Soldiers with whom he served; and a simple piece of purple ribbon that he wore around his neck, a mark of his chaplaincy, his priesthood. But don't make any mistake about it; Father Kapaun was a Soldier; and a Soldier in the purest, in the truest sense of the word."

Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division lead a horse-drawn caisson procession for Chaplain (Capt.) Emil J. Kapaun, to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Chaplain (Capt.) Kapaun served in 3-8 Cav and was taken as a Prisoner of War during the Korean War. He died as a Prisoner of War on May 23, 1951. His remains were identified in 2021 by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency and returned home after more than 70 years. Captured by Staff Sgt. Carolyn Hart, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division.

Chaplain Emil Kapaun was originally interred with the 4,000 other unknown Soldiers from the Korean War at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii. However, on March 4, 2021, Department of Defense investigators identified his remains. On September 29, 2021, a funeral was held for Chaplain (Capt.) Kapaun, and his remains were carried in a horse-drawn carriage to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Wichita, where he was buried with full military honors. 

Military awards held by Chaplain (Capt.) Kapaun include the Medal of Honor; the Distinguished Service Cross; Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device; Legion of Merit; Prisoner of War Medal; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one Bronze Service Star for Central Burma Campaign; World War II Victory Medal; Army of Occupation Medal with Japan Clasp; Korean Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars; National Defense Service Medal; and United Nations Service Medal.

In 2025, Pope Francis bestowed the title of "Venerable" to Chaplain (Capt.) Kapaun, which is the second stage in the process of reaching sainthood.   

Attendees received information about Chaplain (Capt.) Emil J. Kapaun’s life, accomplishments, and time in service.

The Emil J. Kapaun Chapel Dedication at Camp Humphreys

At the conclusion of the Building Memorialization Ceremony, a reading of the official proclamation officially renamed Freedom Chapel to the Chaplain (Capt.) Emil J. Kapaun Chapel. The renaming not only honors his legacy but ensures that future generations of service members and families at Camp Humphreys will know the name, and the story, of this humble priest who gave everything in the service of others.

The community gathered to honor Chaplain (Capt.) Emil J. Kapaun’s memory and service during the renaming ceremony. 

Chaplain (Capt.) Kapaun lived the core competencies of the Chaplain Corps: Nurture the Living, Care for the Wounded, and Honor the Fallen. He set an example for all present-day Chaplains to follow, regardless of faith or background. This memorialization is a fitting tribute, not only because it takes place in Korea, where Chaplain (Capt.) Kapaun gave his life for freedom, but also as it coincides with the 250th birthday of both the U.S. Army and the Chaplain Corps, each established in 1775. 

The newly renamed Chaplain (Captain) Emil J. Kapaun Chapel at Camp Humphreys.

A Lasting Example of Faith, Service, and Sacrifice

The Chaplain (Captain) Emil J. Kapaun Chapel at Camp Humphreys is home to the Camp Humphreys Roman Catholic Community and the Common Ground Traditional Protestant Worship Service.  We invite you to visit and take the time to reflect upon the life of Chaplain Kapaun. May his legacy continue to inspire courage, compassion, and faith in all who visit and serve.

Remembering the Fallen: Honoring Chaplain Emil Kapaun and the Heroes of the Korean War

The renaming of the chapel at Camp Humphreys is more than just a building dedication, it’s a renewed call to remember the sacrifice, service, and faith of those who gave everything for others. Chaplain (Capt.) Emil J. Kapaun’s story is one of countless acts of courage that unfolded across the Korean Peninsula. His legacy reminds us of the spiritual strength it takes to endure the unimaginable—and to serve even in suffering.

If you want to explore more stories that echo his unwavering commitment, we invite you to dive deeper into the history and memory of the Korean War through these powerful tributes and reflections:

Related Stories of Service and Sacrifice

• Memorial Day Tribute at the UN Memorial Cemetery in Busan

  A look at the sacred resting place of international soldiers, including many who served alongside Kapaun.

  
  

• 75 Years Later: Honoring the UN Forces’ First Battle in Korea at Osan

  The first clash of the Korean War and the bravery that marked its beginning.

  
  

• Along the Nakdong River: Korean War Memorials in Chilgok-gun County

  Explore memorials near the battle lines where soldiers like Kapaun served.

  
  

• The 75th Anniversary of the Korean War

  A broad reflection on seven decades of memory, diplomacy, and healing.

  
  

• Canadian Valor: Honoring Canadian Soldiers in the Korean War, 75 Years Later

  A look at international allies who fought and died in defense of Korea.

Learn More About Chaplain Emil J. Kapaun

• Medal of Honor Profile – Congressional Medal of Honor Society

  An official record of his heroism and award citation.

  
  

• Catholic Standard: From Korean War POW to Future Saint

  A touching tribute to Kapaun’s path to sainthood and spiritual significance.

  
  

• YouTube – Good Catholic: The Story of Father Emil Kapaun

  A visual reflection on his courage, character, and lasting legacy.

Final Reflection

As you pass through the doors of the Chaplain (Captain) Emil J. Kapaun Chapel, may you be reminded of a man whose faith stood tall in the face of war, whose service uplifted the broken, and whose story continues to inspire a global community. May we carry forward his example, not only in memory but in action.

Sources

Father Kapaun. Father Kapaun Guild. Accessed July 2025. https://frkapaun.org/about/

U.S. Army. “Medal of Honor Recipient Emil J. Kapaun.” Army.mil. Accessed July 2025. https://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/kapaun/

Kansas.com. “Father Kapaun: Korean War chaplain’s remains identified 70 years after death.” The Wichita Eagle, April 2021. https://www.kansas.com/news/special-reports/father-kapaun/article254362748.html

HistoryNet. “Remains of Korean War Medal of Honor Recipient Recovered 70 Years After His Death.” HistoryNet.com. Accessed July 2025. https://www.historynet.com/remains-of-korean-war-medal-of-honor-recipient-recovered-70-years-after-his-death/

Wikipedia contributors. “Emil Kapaun.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Accessed July 2025. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emil_Kapaun

*The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.