Thomas Scecina was born in Vicksburg, Greene County, Indiana on September 16, 1910. Ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis on June 11, 1935 in the Abbey Church of St. Meinrad, Father Scecina received a Baccalaureate in Cannon Law two years later from Catholic University.  He was assigned associate pastor of St. John’s parish in Indianapolis where he remained until his military duty began October 5, 1939.

At that time, Fr. Thomas Scecina enlisted in the Chaplains’ Reserve Corps and was later assigned to the 57th Infantry division at Fort McKinley on Luzon in the Philippine Islands. The army chaplain was one of many souls subjected to the infamous “Death March” of Bataan. 

After suffering two years of imprisonment, chaplain Scecina willingly accompanied the other prisoners while the Japanese transported them from Manila to Formosa October 1, 1944. 

Chaplain Scecina was among those who comprised the first convoy, mistakenly torpedoed by a U.S. Naval submarine, October 24, 1944.  While the Arisan Maru was sinking, Father imparted general absolution to all and continued to hear confessions over a three-hour period until such time the ship was completely submerged. 

Chaplain Scecina was 34.  He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star with one Oak-Leaf-Cluster, the Bronze Star Medal, and the Purple Heart.  --Team Capodanno