FORT SILL, Okla. June 25, 2015 -- Over 40 Soldiers from forts Sill and Riley completed a 60-mile memorial march June 5-7, across Kansas in honor of Korean War POWs and Chaplain (Capt.) Emil Kapaun.
The chaplain was a Medal of Honor recipient whose heroism and selflessness saved countless lives during the war.
The two teams attended the 7th Annual Father Kapaun Walk, a three-day trek through the Kansas countryside. They were joined by local parishioners, military veterans, retirees, youth groups, college students and other supporters of the event. The group traveled about 20 miles each day, overcoming fatigue, blisters, leg cramps and the sweltering heat. Occasional cloud cover as well as food and snacks from generous families provided a much welcome relief. During breaks, attendees listened to excerpts from Kapaun's life and military service.
The chaplain deployed to Korea in September 1950 with 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. During the Chinese surprise offensive in late October, his unit was overwhelmed and nearly destroyed during the Battle of Unsan, one of the most devastating U.S. and Republic of Korea losses of the war. Given the order to evacuate, Kapaun chose to stay behind to provide medical aid and rescue wounded Soldiers from no-man's land. Completely surrounded, Kapaun persuaded an injured Chinese officer to negotiate their safe surrender, a decisive act that prevented the massacre of the remaining Americans.
Members from Team Sill, led by Fort Sill Garrison Chaplain (Col.) Matthew Pawlikowski, took turns carrying a 150-pound stretcher for the entire journey. This act paid homage to Kapaun's refusal to abandon the frostbitten and wounded, bearing their weight on his own shoulders during the death marches. Enduring one of the coldest Korean winters on record, his determination inspired his fellow POWs to band together and save as many lives as possible, contrary to the intent of his captors.
Sgt. Carlos Hernandez, a chaplain assistant and noncommissioned officer in charge from the 30th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, described training for the event.
"We did several six-, eight- and 20-mile marches. By the end, each team had acclimated to (higher) temperatures and understood proper hydration and electrolyte intake. The medical personnel, ice chests, bottled water and vehicles we brought were essential in keeping the event safe and helping those struggling to beat the heat," he said.
Many shared their personal stories and motivations for traveling to central Kansas and joining the pilgrimage to Pilsen. Several attendees also offered to trade places with Soldiers on the stretcher carry teams, embracing the hardship as a sign of respect for Korean War veterans and Kapaun.
"I'm walking on behalf of my little cousin Brooke, who fell into a coma following a serious car accident," said Megan Dagenhart from Louisiana. "This is my way of praying for a miracle and Father Kapaun's intercession."
Kapaun saved thousands of Soldiers during the death marches and at Pyoktong Prison Camp in North Korea. He smuggled food and medicine, treated the sick, and gave Mass and last rites. His selfless actions and defiance raised the POWs' morale and gave them strength to resist indoctrination sessions and torture.
Poor conditions, however, wore down the man fellow prisoners called "Padre." Kapaun fell ill from a blood clot, malnutrition and pneumonia. He died May 23, 1951. Survivors of the war recalled his unwavering spirit, humility, generosity and dedication to helping men of all faiths.
"Father Kapaun was an American hero, a chaplain corps hero, a Soldier's hero and a Kansas hero." remarked Chaplain (Capt.) Matthew Whitehead of 3rd Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Combat Aviation Brigade from Fort Riley. "Those reasons motivated us to march in his memory."
The 60-mile pilgrimage-walk ended in Pilsen, Kan., hometown of Kapaun. Participants were welcomed by American Legion veterans carrying the Stars and Stripes and ushered into St. John Nepomucene Church, the original parish of Kapaun. Following a lunch and rest, the final mass and ceremony was held, attended by members of the Kapaun family.
Over 170 people from several states supported and participated in the walk. In the Catholic faith, Kapaun is remembered as a martyr and has been nominated as a candidate for sainthood. In April 2013, President Barack Obama posthumously awarded Kapaun the Medal of Honor for acts of valor during the Battle of Unsan and while a prisoner of war.
"In America, where we cherish freedom of religion, Emil Kapaun lived his faith as a Soldier serving others in the direst and most extreme of situations." said Father Eric Weldon, event organizer. "He used his freedom to embrace the good and kept his brothers-in-arms aware of that good until the very end."
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