WASHINGTON, March 11 (UPI) -- President Obama will award the Medal of Honor posthumously to U.S. Army Chaplain Emil Kapaun for gallantry during the Korean conflict, the White House said.
Chaplain Kapaun, a captain, will be recognized April 11 for his extraordinary heroism while serving with the 3d Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division during combat operations at Unsan and as a prisoner of war, the White House said Monday in a release.
The White House said Kapaun walked through enemy fire to provide comfort and medical aid to comrades. When U.S. forces were surrounded by the enemy and able-bodied men ordered to evacuate, Kapaun stayed behind with the wounded.
Kapaun negotiated the safe surrender of the American forces then, shortly after his capture, Kapaun pushed aside an enemy soldier preparing to execute a comrade, saving a life and inspiring all those present to remain and fight the enemy until captured.
Ray Kapaun, Kapaun's nephew, and other family members will join Obama at the White House for the award ceremony.
