STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A Staten Island war hero was officially immortalized with a statue on Sunday afternoon.
The memorial, standing eight-feet-tall, for Rev. Vincent R. Capodanno was unveiled near the intersection of Seaview Avenue and the eponymous Father Capodanno Boulevard.
The crowd braved cold temperatures and recently fallen snow in Ocean Breeze to pack the intersection at Seaview and the boulevard named for the Elm Park native.
After an opening prayer led by Rev. Michael Cichon, pastor of the Church of St. Christopher and St. Margaret Mary, event organizers introduced Anthony “Tony” Leto, a driving force in getting the statue and Vietnam veteran himself.
“Over the last 11 years, I had 10 bike blessings every year. More and more motorcycles joined our police escorted runs across Staten Island,” Leto said.
“I sold keychains and raffles. I gave out poppies and those who made donations. That is how I raised the funds for this statue,” he continued. “I’m grateful for those who helped me along the way.”
Several of Staten Island elected officials, many of whom helped bring the statue to fruition, were on hand for Sunday’s unveiling and acknowledged the work that Leto had done over the last decade.
Anthony “Tony” Leto (at podium) addresses the gathered crowd at the Rev. Vincent R. Capodanno statue unveiling on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025 in Ocean Breeze.(Advance/SILive.com | Mike Matteo)
“Service, commitment and leadership, that’s what putting the uniform on is about,” said Assemblymember Michael Reilly.
“Today represents that for Tony Leto,” the South Shore Republican continued. “Service, commitment and leadership. Because of him, the legacy will move on. We will never forget.”
Many of the speakers acknowledged the legacy of Father Capodanno, both as a Staten Islander and as an inspiration to the borough’s community of veterans.
“Today, we are here to recognize Father Capodanno, an extraordinary veteran, whose courage and service continue to inspire our community,” said State Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, a Democrat representing the Island’s North Shore.
“This statue stands as a tribute, not only to him but to all veterans who have sacrificed for our freedoms,” she said, before also acknowledging Paul Matrecano from her office, who helped secure the site for the statue.
Others in attendance spoke of when they first learned about Father Capodanno, and of those who were pushing to maintain the legacy of “the grunt padre.”
“As a young boy, I got to know who Father Capodanno was because they changed this name from Seaside Boulevard to Father Capodanno Boulevard, you got to know what this hero was all about,” said Borough President Vito Fossella.
“I got to know Jim Capodanno and put two and two together,” Fossella continued, referring to Father Capodanno’s brother. “Jim, like so many others here, kept Father Capodanno’s legacy alive and they remind us every moment what it really means to sacrifice for freedom.”
Officials who spoke at the unveiling said Father Capodanno’s sacrifice sacrifice and legacy were emblematic of the ideals of the nation.
“On September 4, 1967, when the grunt padre ran across his field, ministering to his brothers who were laying there wounded and close to death, he didn’t ask, ‘are they Jews or Catholics or Muslims,’” said District Attorney Michael E. McMahon.
“He said, ‘they are Americans,’ and he went and gave them their rights and he gave his life doing it,” McMahon continued. “We enjoy the freedoms of democracy today because of those who gave that sacrifice.”
Finally, after a blessing by Rev. Jack Soler from the Parish of St. Clement & St. Michael in Mariners Harbor, the statue and engraved stone base were officially unveiled to the cheering crowd.
The statue for Rev. Vincent R. Capodanno, which was unveiled on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025 in Ocean Breeze.(Advance/SILive.com | Mike Matteo)
The bronze effigy features Father Capodanno dressed in fatigues. In one hand he holds a rosary. With the other, he’s comforting a small child.
The base of the statue chronicles the life of the Staten Island-born priest and Medal of Honor recipient. The memorial also pays tributes to his family and to the many Staten Islanders who made the monument possible.
The eight-foot tall sculpture was inspired by Father Capodanno’s late brother, Jim. It was designed by the late artist and philanthropist Gregory Perillo.
Father Capodanno, U.S. Navy chaplain
Born on Feb. 13, 1929 as the youngest of nine children, Father Capodanno was ordained a priest on June 14, 1958.
A U.S. Navy chaplain, he was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroic actions in Operation Swift during the Vietnam War.
Rev. Vincent R. CapodannoStaten Island Advance
Father Capodanno was alongside the men of 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines when he ultimately lost his life during a search-and-destroy mission. Despite being unarmed, he was shot 27 times on the battlefield in Que Son Valley while running to the aid of a wounded corpsman and the Marine he was assisting.
Even though Father Capodanno had sustained his own serious injuries, the chaplain spent the last moments of his life administering medical and spiritual care.
Lt. Vincent R. Capodanno leads his men in prayer in Vietnam was killed in 1967 while giving rites to wounded Marines.Advance File Photo
Because of his courage, fearlessness and heroism, an active effort is underway to have him proclaimed a saint. He’s already been declared a Servant of God, the first step on the path that leads to sainthood.
The former Seaside Boulevard was renamed to Father Capodanno Boulevard in memory of the Staten Island priest on July 4, 1974.
Earlier this year, Father Capodanno was honored at a traditional Latin Mass at St. Michael’s Church in Mariners Harbor.
The Mass at St. Michael’s, the church where Father Capodanno was baptized, was held on Thursday, Sept. 4, to commemorate the anniversary of his death in Vietnam.
During the ceremony, the original baptismal font where Father Capodanno was baptized on April 28, 1929, was dedicated and marked with a commemorative metal plate.