Father Kapaun’s Medal of Honor Returns to Kansas

The Medal of Honor awarded in April to the Rev. Emil Kapaun has returned to his Kansas home.

Kapaun’s family presented the award to the town of Pilsen Sunday during Father Kapaun Day, an annual celebration that was especially noteworthy this year.

In April, President Barack Obama conferred the award on Kapaun to honor his heroism while serving as a chaplain before he died in a prison camp during the Korean War.

Kapaun’s nephew, Ray Kapaun said his dad always believed Emil Kapaun would someday receive the Medal of Honor. And he said his dad wanted Pilsen to receive the medal.

Emil Kapaun was born on a farm near Pilsen and said his first Mass as a Catholic priest there in 1940.

Associated Press information from: The Wichita Eagle