Photo Galleries

At Freedom Village, Korea, in the fall of 1953, American repatriates (left to right) Capt. Joseph O'Connor, Warrant Officer Felix McCool and Lt. Ralph Nardella carried a hand carved crucifix made by a Jewish marine in memory of Fr. Emil Kapaun.

Link to image

After the war and his release, POW and close Father Kapaun friend Ralph Nardella came to Wichita, carrying the cross carved by POWs in the camp to honor him; with him here is Bishop Mark Carroll.

Link to image

/ Courtesy Photo

Months after Father Kapaun died, a Jewish POW named Gerald Fink, captured after KapaunŐs death, began hand-carving a four-foot crucifix to honor the priest who was so beloved in the camp. It took months, and later cost Fink mistreatment at the hands of Communist guards; the cross is now on display at Kapaun Mt. Carmel High School.

Link to image | Buy this photo

Bo Rader / The Wichita Eagle

After atheist Communist guards made him throw his chaplainsŐ helmet liner in the camp garbage, Father Kapaun made sure the cross was visible in the dump; he and soldiers prayed before it afterward. The liner, smuggled out by POWS, is now on display at Kapaun Mt. Carmel High School in Wichita.

Link to image | Buy this photo

Bo Rader / The Wichita Eagle

Link to image

At the dedication of Chaplain Kapaun High School in 1957, several friends and admirers spoke. Back row: battlefield hero Dr. Clarence Anderson, Lt. William (Moose) McClain, Lt. Ralph Nardella, and Maj. Gerald Fink, the marine corps fighter pilot and artist who carved the crucifix to honor Kapaun. In the front row are Bishop Mark Carroll and Cardinal Francis Spellman.

Link to image

Many honors came Father KapaunŐs way after the war; Lt. Gen. Hobert Gay came to Wichita to give medals and other honors to KapaunŐs parents, Bessie and Enos, standing here alongside Catholic Diocese bishop Mark Carroll.

Link to image