The Grunt Padre [Paperback]

Father Daniel Mode (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1891280082 | ISBN-13: 978-1891280085 | Publication Date: June 1, 2000

Navy Chaplain killed in vietnam l967 with Marine search unit in operation swift, outnumbered 2500 to 500 marines, killed protecting a corpsman who was administering first aid to soldier. Receive Congressional medal of honor, Bronze star and 3 purple hearts. Even though wounded refused to leave battle area to assist his grunts. Most recognized and respected chaplain in that war, memorials and buildings thoughout the world named after him. This is a hero

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Father Daniel Lawrence Mode grew up in a Navy family. Fr. Mode himself is a commissioned navy chaplain. The author's education includes a bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, with advanced degrees in theology and church history. While studying history at Mount Saint Mary's Seminary, he stumbled upon the research threads that led him to uncovering the remarkable Fr. Capodanno story. Besides Fr. Mode's reserve duty as a Navy chaplain, he currently serves as chaplain and Vice Principal of Bishop Denis J. O'Connell High School in Arlington, VA.

Product Details

• Paperback: 212 pages
• Publisher: C M J Marian Pub (June 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1891280082
• ISBN-13: 978-1891280085
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #55,531 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #97 in Books > History > Asia > Vietnam > Vietnam War

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars My Friend and Most Unforgetable Person I Have Known, October 16, 2000

By 

Raymund Lowry (Murrells Inlet, South Carolina USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Grunt Padre (Paperback)

My name is Ray Lowry and I was the last Catholic priest to see Vince alive and the first to see him dead. On 6 Dec. 1966 Vince and I changed jobs; I went out to 1/7 on the Batangan Peninsula and Vince replaced me at 1st Med. Within weeks of arriving in Vietnam I had heard stories about Vince and he indeed "became a legend in his own time". His CO at 1/7, Lt.Col. Buzz Lubka, told me that Fr. Capodanno "could walk on water." He was an inspiration to me and made me a better Chaplain for knowing him. I'll never forget the night he died but that is a story in itself. Fr. Mode has indeed captured the essence of the man. I still think of Vince daily. I am honored to have known him and to have shared my life with him as a Chaplain with the Marines in Vietnam. May God grant his noble soul eternal rest

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars True Heroism and Holiness, October 25, 2000

By 

Bill Weber (Fairfax, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Grunt Padre (Paperback)

Fr Capodanno's life is proof that there were genuine heros in Vietnam. Too many movies and books portray Vietnam as a lousy tangle of military confusion, drugs and waisted war with no heroes. Fr Capodanno's heroic life and death shows a brighter side of the American men and women who served in Vietnam. His life redefines for me the meaning heroism and holiness. The love and service he displayed for his marines, even under fire, is inspiring. His whole life was inspiring, rising up from the difficulties of being in an immigrant family, to the rigors of seminary training, to the selflessness of Missionary work as a Catholic Maryknoll Priest and finally, as a Chaplain on a Vietnam battlefield, serving to his death the grunts he cherished. I couldn't put it down. This book is a most for those who wish to see love and faith and heroism in action and want to see another side of the Vietnam experience.

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An inspiration to all!, October 24, 2000

By 

"braggz" (Woodbridge, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Grunt Padre (Paperback)

I had the ultimate priveledge to work on part of the book prior to publication. This initial introduction to Father Vincent Capodanno was life changing. Even in death, the Father continues to give a message of love. Father Mode did a fantastic job in telling of Father Vince Capodannos heroism and love for his fellow human being. He gave the ultimate sacrifice of love for his "grunts". Being the wife of a Marine, I understand secondhand the bond of the Marine Brotherhood but to see it portrayed in Father Capodannos life story, it takes on new meaning. When you read it, you too will have a cause to change for the better. Fr. Capodanno is truly an inspiration! Donna Bragg