Medal of Honor: Emil Joseph Kapaun – Korean War – November 1–2, 1950
He walked through fire not to fight, but to save — and chose captivity over freedom so no wounded man would face it alone.
November 4, 2025
Name: Emil Joseph Kapaun
Rank: Captain (Chaplain)
Branch: U.S. Army
Unit: 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division
Born: April 20, 1916 – Pilsen, Kansas
Died: May 23, 1951 – POW Camp, Korea
Accredited to: Kansas
Date of Issue: April 11, 2013
Summary of Action
As the Battle of Unsan raged on the frigid nights of November 1–2, 1950, the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army encircled the 8th Cavalry Regiment in a brutal surprise attack. Amid the chaos, Chaplain Emil J. Kapaun — a Catholic priest from Kansas — moved calmly through machine-gun fire and exploding shells, pulling wounded men to safety and administering last rites in the dirt.
When ordered to evacuate, he refused to leave his wounded, knowing capture and probable death awaited him. As the enemy overran their position, Kapaun continued to move among the fallen, comforting, tending, and even negotiating with a wounded Chinese officer to spare his men. Moments later, when an enemy soldier aimed his rifle to execute a wounded American, Kapaun stepped between them — knocking the weapon aside and saving SFC Herbert A. Miller’s life.
Captured and marched north to a prison camp, Father Kapaun continued to defy his captors. He stole food for the sick, washed and prayed with dying soldiers, and lifted broken spirits until disease and starvation claimed him in May 1951. Those who survived credited their lives — and their hope — to him.
Medal of Honor Citation
Place and date: Unsan, Korea, November 1–2, 1950.
Entered service at: Kansas.
Born: April 20, 1916, Pilsen, Kansas.
Date of Issue: April 11, 2013.
Accredited to: Kansas.
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 3d Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division during combat operations against an armed enemy at Unsan, Korea, from November 1–2, 1950. On November 1, as Chinese Communist Forces viciously attacked friendly elements, Chaplain Kapaun calmly walked through withering enemy fire in order to provide comfort and medical aid to his comrades and rescue friendly wounded from no-man’s land. Though the Americans successfully repelled the assault, they found themselves surrounded by the enemy. Facing annihilation, the able-bodied men were ordered to evacuate. However, Chaplain Kapaun, fully aware of his certain capture, elected to stay behind with the wounded. After the enemy succeeded in breaking through the defense in the early morning hours of November 2, Chaplain Kapaun continually made rounds, as hand-to-hand combat ensued. As Chinese Communist Forces approached the American position, Chaplain Kapaun noticed an injured Chinese officer amongst the wounded and convinced him to negotiate the safe surrender of the American Forces. Shortly after his capture, Chaplain Kapaun, with complete disregard for his personal safety and unwavering resolve, bravely pushed aside an enemy soldier preparing to execute Sergeant First Class Herbert A. Miller. Not only did Chaplain Kapaun’s gallantry save the life of Sergeant Miller, but also his unparalleled courage and leadership inspired all those present, including those who might have otherwise fled in panic, to remain and fight the enemy until captured. Chaplain Kapaun’s extraordinary heroism and selflessness, above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 3d Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, the 1st Cavalry Division, and the United States Army.
