A new film is under way about the “Grunt Padre” — Servant of God Father Vincent Capodanno, a Medal of Honor recipient, posthumously, for his heroism on Sept. 4, 1967.

That day, on a small, bloody knoll, during a fierce battle with U.S. Marines greatly outnumbered by the North Vietnamese, it took more than 25 enemy bullets to stop Navy chaplain Father Capodanno, already severely wounded, as he moved about the field bringing comfort to all, ministering to the dying and rescuing the wounded.

The new film is a partnership between the Father Vincent Capodanno Guild (CapodannoGuild.org) and EWTN. George Phillips, the chairman of the guild, said, “We gathered about 15 — Catholics and non-Catholics” — of those Marines who served in the 1967 battle to be interviewed, among others.

James Kelty, who also wrote and directed EWTN’s first original movie about St. Kateri, is the producer/director. With location footage and interviews, Kelty wants to “bring out the humanity of the person he was, the effect he had on people.”

Both Phillips and Kelty foresee the film advancing the cause for Father Capodanno’s canonization.

Joseph Pronechen is a

 Register staff writer.

Read more at NCRegister.com.

Image courtesy of the Archdiocese for the Military Services