The ONE (Story of the sole Navy Seal Survivor in the Afghanistan incident)

I have been trying to come up with a way to discuss the ONE who survived the SR near Asadabad, Afghanistan while 11 of his Teammates did not. Well, it seems that a Navy Chaplain who spent some time with him and his platoon has quite a story to tell. Hat tip to BLACKFIVE

I spoke to several of this man’s Teammates in Hawaii, and it is interesting that he is a twin and his brother is a Frogman as well. Actually, each of the brothers has half of a Trident tattooed on their backs so that when they stand side by side, it forms one large Trident. When his brother was informed that the ONE was missing, he immediately knew that his brother was alive and evading. According to what I was told, it was not just hopeful speculation, but some of that twin brother mojo letting his brother know that he was still in the fight.

The story of this harrowing evasion will probably come out eventually, but while the account that I was unofficially given was not very specific, it is truly awe inspiring. After the 4 man SR was compromised and engaged, they called for the QRF and defended themselves from the large taliban hoard that was firing at them. At some point, two of the SR team members were shot and clearly KIA, one other was severely wounded, and he and the ONE continued to fight. I was told that the ONE dragged his critically wounded Teammate while the wounded man continued to fire at the enemy. Eventually, the pair received close incoming mortar fire and the ONE was “blown off the side of the mountain”.

After awaking from unconsciousness, the ONE was once again being closed upon by enemy forces. Apparently the ONE is a rather large fellow, and not known particularly for his long distance running. So he ran for a while, stopped and shot a few taliban, then repeated that for a while until he was shot in the a$$ at which point he stopped… and laughed. This went on for a while under darkness fell and he was able to get into a more concealed position. Eventually he was discovered by a local tribesman who took him into his village and notified US forces of his location.

The SEALs that were on the MH-47 that were preparing to fastrope into the firefight to rescue their SR brothers were all awarded Bronze Stars with “V” for Valor. The members of the SR team that perished in the firefight were all awarded the Silver Star. Many believe that the ONE may be under consideration for a couple of awards that are even higher than those two. I don’t want to jinx it so I will simply say that I hope he gets what he deserves.

It occurs to me that the ONE could use some prayer at this point in his life. It is about this time that someone in his situation might be asking himself questions about why he survived when ALL of his brothers did not. While he deserves every accolade we can give him, he probably needs our compassion and support more than anything else.

Grunt Padre Ping!!!!!!!!!
This is the man whom Fr. Mode wrote about. Fr. Mode is now assigned to the SEALS in Afghanistan. Incredible story. Military bump!

Vincent Robert Capodanno was born in Richmond County, New York, on 13 February 1929. He was educated at Fordham University and Maryknoll Seminaries in Illinois, Massachusetts and New York. Ordained a Catholic Priest in June 1957, he served as a missionary in Taiwan and Hong Kong in 1958-65. In December 1965, Father Capodanno received his commission as a Lieutenant in the Navy Chaplain Corps. He was assigned to the First Marine Division in Vietnam in April 1966. While serving as Chaplain with the Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, during combat with enemy forces in Quang Tin Province on 4 September 1967 while administering medical aid and Last Rites to wounded Marines on the battlefield.
he lost his life as he provided assistance and comfort to Marine casualties. For his heroism on this occasion, Lieutenant Vincent R. Capodanno was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

USS Capodanno (DE-1093, later FF-1093) was named in honor of Lieutenant Capodanno.

CITATION:

*CAPODANNO, VINCENT R.

Rank and organization: Lieutenant, U.S. Navy, Chaplain Corps, 3d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein), FMF. Place and date: Quang Tin Province, Republic of Vietnam, 4 September 1967. Entered service at: Staten Island, N.Y. Born: 13 February 1929, Staten Island, N.Y. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Chaplain of the 3d Battalion, in connection with operations against enemy forces. In response to reports that the 2d Platoon of M Company was in danger of being overrun by a massed enemy assaulting force, Lt. Capodanno left the relative safety of the company command post and ran through an open area raked with fire, directly to the beleaguered platoon. Disregarding the intense enemy small-arms, automatic-weapons, and mortar fire, he moved about the battlefield administering last rites to the dying and giving medical aid to the wounded. When an exploding mortar round inflicted painful multiple wounds to his arms and legs, and severed a portion of his right hand, he steadfastly refused all medical aid. Instead, he directed the corpsmen to help their wounded comrades and, with calm vigor, continued to move about the battlefield as he provided encouragement by voice and example to the valiant marines. Upon encountering a wounded corpsman in the direct line of fire of an enemy machine gunner positioned approximately 15 yards away, Lt. Capodanno rushed a daring attempt to aid and assist the mortally wounded corpsman. At that instant, only inches from his goal, he was struck down by a burst of machine gun fire. By his heroic conduct on the battlefield, and his inspiring example, Lt. Capodanno upheld the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the cause of freedom.

Vietnam War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient Father Vincent R. Capodanno - Among the 58,000 names on the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C. is the name of a Maryknoll Missionary Priest, Fr. Vincent Capodanno, one of seven chaplains killed in the Vietnam War. They called him " The Grunt Padre " because he so completely associated himself with the struggles, fears, doubts and hopes of the mostly young Marines, "The Grunts", he served. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honorfor his actions on Sept. 4, 1967.Vietnam War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient

Among the 58,000 names on the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C. is the name of a Maryknoll Missionary Priest, Fr. Vincent Capodanno, one of seven chaplains killed in the Vietnam War. They called him " The Grunt Padre " because he so completely associated himself with the struggles, fears, doubts and hopes of the mostly young Marines, "The Grunts", he served.

He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on Sept. 4, 1967.

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