Jack Jacobs, a retired US Army colonel and recipient of the Medal of Honor, has an interesting discussion on Jewish military service in the United States over the past century. He also branches into some insightful observations about military service in general within today’s society.
Recent DADT news:
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As previously noted, the US Army recommended Chaplain (Capt) Emil Kapaun for a Medal of Honor in 2009. Kapaun died in captivity in North Korea in 1951 after he was captured by the Chinese; he had stayed behind when the unit retreated in order to remain with those who could not flee. Stories told by repatriated Soldiers were of Kapaun’s continual service and sacrifice, even at great personal risk, to tend to the physical and spiritual needs of the captives.
The Associated Press recently noted that the Kansas Congressional delegation (Kapaun hailed from Kansas) is seeking legislation to grant the Medal of Honor to Kapaun.
A surprise attack by Japan on the Hawaiian Islands (which were not yet the 50th state) awoke the “sleeping giant” 69 years ago today, bringing the United States into World War II. Millions had already perished in a war that had consumed the world, though the US had largely stood by. They would do so no longer, and the world would be better for it.
The United States did not engage in war in the 1940s merely to avenge an attack or remove a threat. It sought a decisive and just end to conflict in uncompromising terms — it defended an “absolute right” in the face of a continuing wrong.
Those who recall the date that “lives in infamy” are becoming fewer in number.
As an aside, it is interesting to note the attack on Pearl Harbor lasted approximately 2 hours, and resulted in 15 Medals of Honor — 5 to living recipients — among other citations. By contrast, the 9-year conflict in Afghanistan has resulted in 4, one to a living recipient.
Rep. Michael McMahon (D-NY) has asked Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus to name an upcoming destroyer for Chaplain (Lt.) Vincent Capodanno. The Chaplain served with the Marines in Vietnam in 1967. He was killed by the North Vietnamese while giving last rites to wounded and dying Marines and helping a wounded corpsman.
Chaplain Capodanno was subsequently awarded the Medal of Honor.
Chaplain (Capt.) Emil Kapaun, a World War II and Korean War Chaplain who died in captivity in North Korea, was recommended for the Medal of Honor by outgoing Secretary of the Army Pete Geren.
According to the Stars and Stripes,
Kapaun was captured by the Chinese in the fall of 1950, when Communist forces overran the 1st Cavalry Division in northern Korea near the Chinese border. American commanders had ordered their forces to retreat, but Kapaun, a Catholic priest with the 3rd Battalion, refused and stayed to care for the men who couldn’t flee.
Stripes also called Kapaun a “prisoner of war,” which while commonly understood is technically inaccurate. Read more