WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today an amendment introduced by Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) and co-sponsored by Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) to award the Medal of Honor to Chaplain Emil Kapaun, a Kansas war hero, moved one step closer to final passage in the United States Senate.

“Father Kapaun inspired many with his unshakable faith,” said Roberts. “His story is an inspiration to all of us of what it means to be a true hero. He is well-deserving of the Medal of Honor and I am pleased that we are one step closer to making that happen.”

“Father Kapaun distinguished himself by going above and beyond the call of duty in risking his life for the sake of others,” said Moran. “When all else looked hopeless, Father Kapaun uplifted the spirits of his fellow soldiers and helped them persevere in spite of great suffering. Father Kapaun is more than deserving of this distinguished award and I am hopeful he will receive his long-overdue recognition.”

The amendment was approved by the Senate today as part of the Senate Defense Authorization bill currently before the Senate. The amendment would authorize and request the President to award the Medal of Honor posthumously to Father Kapaun.

Earlier this year, Roberts, Moran, and Congressman Mike Pompeo (R-Kan) offered legislation in both the Senate and the House to waive the three year time limitation for Father Kapaun to receive the Medal of Honor. The Department of Defense has confirmed its support for the legislation in response to numerous letters sent by the Kansas delegation. Since then, the House passed the National Defense Authorization Act of 2012, which includes the time waiver provision allowing the Medal of Honor to be awarded to him.

Father Kapaun was born in Pilsen, Kansas in 1916 and served as a Catholic priest before volunteering for the Army. During the Korean War, he served as a chaplain of the 8th Cavalry Regiment of the First Army Division. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions in the Battle of Unsan, where he was taken prisoner and fellow soldiers say he saved hundreds of lives on the battlefield and in prison camps. He escaped to steal food from nearby farms to bring back to starving prisoners, and cared for the sick and injured. He died as a prisoner in May 1951.

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