By: NY1 News

A memorial Mass was held at Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island on Sunday to mark the 45th anniversary of Father Vincent Capodanno’s death in the Vietnam War.

Borough President James Molinaro was among those who honored the military chaplain for his heroic service.

Starting in 1966, Capodanno served in Vietnam, where he administered last rites to the dying and prayed over the dead.

The Elm Park native was killed by enemy gunfire the following year at the age of 38.

“It was in the battlefield where Father Capodanno excelled and inspired. He would find out from his friends and military intelligence what units were most likely to encounter the heaviest contact and he would volunteer for these missions,” said Vincent Maligno, a retired member of the U.S. Air Force.

Capodanno was awarded a Purple Heart, a Medal of Honor and a Bronze Star for his service.

In 2006, the Catholic Church officially proclaimed the chaplain a “Servant of God,” putting him on the path to sainthood.

See original article here.