Mass in honor of Father Vincent Capodanno set for Sept. 3 at the chapel that bears his name in Fort Wadsworth

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — To commemorate the 56th anniversary of the death of Rev. Vincent R. Capodanno, Bishop Patrick Byrne, Episcopal vicar of Staten Island and pastor of Blessed Sacrament R.C. Church, will be the main celebrant at a memorial Mass in the late priest’s honor in the chapel at Fort Wadsworth that bears Father Capodanno’s name.

The Mass for Servant of God/Medal of Honor recipient is set for Sunday Sept. 3 at 10 a.m. in the Father Capodanno Memorial Chapel in Fort Wadsworth.

After the Mass a memorial ceremony will be held outside near his statue by the Staten Island Detachment 1 Marine Corps League Honor Guard, Rifle Squad and Bugler. Refreshments will be served.

The Mass is open to anyone who would like to attend. A reading of Father Capodanno’s Congressional Medal of Honor citation will be followed by a rifle volley and the playing of Taps.

A number of military organizations will then be called forward to present a wreath at Father Capodanno’s statue, including the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Marine Corps League, the Knights of Columbus Father Capodanno Council, the Rolling Thunder, the Sons of Italy Father Capodanno Lodge, Viet Nam Knights, AMVETS and others.

A LITTLE ABOUT FATHER CAPODANNO

Born on Feb. 13, 1929, and ordained a priest on June 14, 1958, the Elm Park native participated in seven combat operations before dying at the age of 38 on Sept. 4, 1967, while administering last rites to mortally wounded Marines during the Vietnam war.

Father Capodanno, also known as “the grunt padre,” was shot 27 times in the back, neck and head on the battlefield in Que Son Valley when he refused to seek cover during the battle dubbed Operation…