Born French, Died an American Hero
“He led from the front,” said 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment Bn. commander Lt. Col. Craig S. Kaczynski during Capt. Patrick M. Rapicault’s Silver Star ceremony Dec. 2.
Rapicault assumed command of Weapons Company, 2nd Bn. 5th Marines during his deployment to Iraq while they were in contact with the enemy on 24 September 2004.
As company commander, Rapicault led his Marines through 50 firefights and 27 improvised explosive device ambushes between the time he took command of the unit and until he was killed Nov. 15, 2004.
For his gallantry, Rapicault was posthumously awarded the Silver Star, the nation’s third highest award for combat valor.
His wife, Vera Rapicault, accepted the award on his behalf during the ceremony at 5th Marines memorial park located in Camp San Mateo.According to the citation, he directed the fire and maneuver of his company with complete disregard to his own personal safety.
Despite being the first Marine wounded in his Battalion and his company suffering the heaviest casualties during the street fighting, Captain Rapicault always displayed an infectious enthusiasm that motivated every Marine to fight hard and recover quickly from battle.
On every mission, Captain Rapicault’s intuitive and calm combat leadership ensured success on the battlefield, which limited damage to vehicles and friendly casualties.
Also according to the citation, He gallantly gave his life in the cause of freedom.
“I was 200 meters away when he passed. It was hard because he was “˜that man’,” remembered 1st Lt. Shawn M. Maurer, an infantry officer who served with Rapicault in Iraq. “My fondest memory of him was his courage, you could see it in his eyes. I could look in his eyes and everything was going to be okay because he was the best Marine Corps officer I’ve ever served with,” Maurer said.
Rapicault’s heroics not only affected his Marines but also reached Marines throughout the 1st Marine Division. First Marine Division commanding general Maj. Gen. Richard F. Natonski said “We were blessed not only as a country and Marine Corps, but also as 1st Marine Division to have a leader like Capt. Rapicault” during the humble ceremony.
Natonski said Rapicault would never be forgotten. “He is as alive today as the day he died,” said Lt. Col. Randall P. Newman, former commanding officer of 2nd Bn., 5th Marines. “He is truly the backbone of what the corps is today. His memory goes on forever.”
Rapicault was the commanding officer of Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion. He was an expert in night combat tactics, and a marathon runner.
Rapicault was born on the French Caribbean Island of Martinique but spent most of his life in St. Augustine, where much of his family still lives. He only became a U.S. citizen 10 years ago.
His family said he dreamed of being a Marine since he was a boy. “He loved what he did …. People loved him,” his sister, Christine Cappillino, said.
While securing a road to Fallujah in the days leading up to the battle on the insurgent stronghold, Rapicault told an embedded Agence France Presse reporter that they were attacked daily with small arms and rocket propelled grenade fire. “It is a daily hit and run,” Rapicault said on Nov. 1.
Update: My site logs indicate that this post has been read at the French Embassy. I wrote both the Embassy and the Government of Martinique suggesting that the French might wish to consider honouring this son of France.
the attachments to this post:
Rapicault
I can assure you that Capt. Rap., as we liked to call him, led from the front.
As I was wounded and a Marine next to me fatally wounded, he was right there to lift me up and put me on that bird!
I can still see the tears in his eyes when he let my hand go!
My heart sank to the floor when I heard of his falling, while I was still in the hospital getting my surgeries.
He was the best damn Company Commander that I have EVER served with.
Miss you, sir!
Semper Fi
French-American Hero
Chuck Simmons notes the passing of a great American hero.
[...] [...]
I think Mr Rapicault exemplifies some of the best
things about humanity. I seriously appreciate his
kick-ass attitude. Marines are simply awesome!!!
It is truely wonderful to hear of the efforts of these super great Americans.It’s only too bad, that we hear of them ONLY from our blogs! I would be willing to bet that ALL of the MSM outlets would receive an immediate rise in circulation, and correct their BLEEDING profit sheets if they showed a little PRIDE in the men and women who make it possible to remain in business. Actually, it would have been GREAT to read about it from a French source. THEY SHOULD be as damn proud of this MARINE as I am!
Swede
Thank You
The spirit of Lafayette lives.
There always will be French-born who believe in freeing the oppressed.
There is no glory in death, as Capt. Patrick Rapicault’s family knows too well, but there is nobility in risking your life to help the helpless. He did his duty, and then some.