Tim Vakoc

Henry Timothy Vakoc ("VAH-kitch"; January 8, 1960 – June 20, 2009) was an American Catholic priest and Army chaplain during the Iraq War, attaining the rank of major. He was critically injured on May 29, 2004, when his Humvee was struck by an IED as he was returning from celebrating Mass for soldiers. As of 2009 he was believed to be the only Army chaplain seriously injured during the war.

Early years Vakoc was born on January 8, 1960, in Robbinsdale, Minnesota. He graduated in 1978 from Benilde-St. Margaret's School, Minneapolis. He graduated from St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, Minnesota

Vakoc's first assignment was as associate pastor at St. Charles Borromeo Church, in St. Anthony, Minn. (1992–1993). He later served as associate pastor of St. John Neumann Church, in Eagan, Minn. (1993–1996). He left that post to join the Army. His first assignment was Garrison Catholic Priest in Heidelberg, Germany. He then was reassigned to Hanau, Germany, During that time he deployed to Bosnia. He was assigned to Fort Carson, Colo., where he served for three and a half years. He was then assigned as chaplain for the 44th Corps Support Battalion from Fort Lewis, Wash. The 44th provided logistical support to the Fort Lewis-based units in northern Iraq, including the Task Force Olympia headquarters and the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, the Army's first Stryker vehicle brigade. The 44th was sent to Iraq in November 2003. In a letter to his sister, Vakoc said, "The safest place for me to be is in the center of God's will, and if that is in the line of fire, that is where I will be." where he lay in a coma for six months. In the late spring of 2005, he began to show signs of improvement. With the help of the Yellow Ribbon Fund, a special computer was donated so that he could communicate with others. On June 1, 2005, a flag – signed by Vakoc and his unit – was given to him. His first message to the visitors who presented the flag was "TIM 4F" (the military code for unfit for duty) and then "OK". His body was interred in Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis. His death was found to be a result of neglect on the part of two employees who did not securely fasten him into a lift.

Awards and decorations Vakoc was awarded the following medals:

Honors On June 1, 2007, Vakoc received the 2007 Distinguished Alumnus Award from his alma mater, the Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity.

Knights of Columbus military council #15269 located in Fort Carson, Colorado is named in honor of Father H. Timothy Vakoc.