Topzle Topzle

John A. Chapman

Updated: Wikipedia source

John A. Chapman

John Allan Chapman (July 14, 1965 – March 4, 2002) was a combat controller in the United States Air Force who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor on August 22, 2018, for his actions in the Battle of Takur Ghar during the War in Afghanistan. He is the first airman to receive the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War. He was inducted into the Hall of Heroes on August 23, 2018, and posthumously promoted to Master Sergeant on the following day. Chapman was also the first Air Force combat controller to be awarded the Air Force Cross before his decoration was upgraded to the Medal of Honor.

Infobox

Born
(1965-07-14)July 14, 1965Springfield, Massachusetts, United States
Died
March 4, 2002(2002-03-04) (aged 36)Takur Ghar, Paktia, Afghanistan
Buried
Saint Mary Byzantine Catholic Church Cemetery, Windber, Pennsylvania
Allegiance
United States
Branch
United States Air Force
Years of service
1985–2002
Rank
Technical Sergeant, Posthumously given the rank of Master Sergeant
Unit
21st Special Tactics Squadron320th Special Tactics Squadron24th Special Tactics Squadron
Battles / wars
mw- li War in Afghanistan Operation Anaconda Battle of Takur Ghar †
Awards
Medal of HonorPurple Heart
Spouse
mw- Valerie Nessel (m. 1992)
Children
2
Service years
1985–2002

Tables

· Awards and decorations
Badge
Badge
Badge
Badge
Master Parachutist Badge
Military Freefall Parachutist Badge
1st row
1st row
Badge
1st row
Master Parachutist Badge
Medal of Honor
Master Parachutist Badge
Purple Heart
2nd row
2nd row
Badge
2nd row
Master Parachutist Badge
Air Force Commendation Medal with 1 bronze Oak leaf cluster
Master Parachutist Badge
Joint Service Achievement Medal with 1 bronze Oak leaf cluster
Master Parachutist Badge
Air Force Achievement Medal with 1 bronze Oak leaf cluster
3rd row
3rd row
Badge
3rd row
Master Parachutist Badge
Air Force Combat Action Medal
Master Parachutist Badge
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Master Parachutist Badge
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with "V" device and 1 bronze Oak leaf cluster
4th row
4th row
Badge
4th row
Master Parachutist Badge
Air Force Good Conduct Medal with 4 bronze Oak leaf clusters
Master Parachutist Badge
National Defense Service Medal with 1 bronze Service star
Master Parachutist Badge
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 1 Campaign star
5th row
5th row
Badge
5th row
Master Parachutist Badge
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Master Parachutist Badge
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Master Parachutist Badge
Armed Forces Service Medal
6th row
6th row
Badge
6th row
Master Parachutist Badge
Humanitarian Service Medal
Master Parachutist Badge
Air Force Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon
Master Parachutist Badge
Air Force Longevity Service Award with 3 Oak leaf clusters
7th row
7th row
Badge
7th row
Master Parachutist Badge
NCO Professional Military Education Graduate Ribbon
Master Parachutist Badge
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with 1 Service star
Master Parachutist Badge
Air Force Training Ribbon
Badge
Badge
Badge
Badge
Master Parachutist Badge
Air Force Scuba Diver insignia
Badge
Master Parachutist Badge
Badge
Military Freefall Parachutist Badge
1st row
Medal of Honor
Purple Heart
2nd row
Air Force Commendation Medal with 1 bronze Oak leaf cluster
Joint Service Achievement Medal with 1 bronze Oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal with 1 bronze Oak leaf cluster
3rd row
Air Force Combat Action Medal
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with "V" device and 1 bronze Oak leaf cluster
4th row
Air Force Good Conduct Medal with 4 bronze Oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal with 1 bronze Service star
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 1 Campaign star
5th row
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal
6th row
Humanitarian Service Medal
Air Force Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon
Air Force Longevity Service Award with 3 Oak leaf clusters
7th row
NCO Professional Military Education Graduate Ribbon
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with 1 Service star
Air Force Training Ribbon
Badge
Air Force Scuba Diver insignia

References

  1. defense.mil
    http://www.dodlive.mil/2018/08/20/fallen-airman-earning-moh-was-top-performer-tenacious-fighter/
  2. Military.com
    https://www.military.com/daily-news/2018/04/20/report-fallen-air-force-tech-sgt-approved-medal-honor.html
  3. CCSHF
    http://www.ccshf.org/portfolio-view/tsgt-john-chapman/
  4. Veterantributes.org
    http://veterantributes.org/TributeDetail.php?recordID=442
  5. Windsor Locks-East Windsor, CT Patch
    https://patch.com/connecticut/windsorlocks/fallen-windsor-locks-solider-awarded-medal-honor
  6. To the Top of Takur Gar
    http://www.airforcemag.com/MagazineArchive/Documents/2011/July%202011/0711takurgar.pdf
  7. Static.e-publishing.af.mil
    https://web.archive.org/web/20180421162941/http://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a1/publication/afhandbook1/afhandbook1.pdf
  8. The First Medal of Honor Ever Recorded
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oKMjTqdTYo&si=Yth1De82VEV9VQXm
  9. Alone at dawn: Medal of Honor Recipient John Chapman and the untold story of the world's deadliest special operations force
  10. Military.com
    https://www.military.com/daily-news/2016/08/28/air-force-seeks-medal-honor-ct-native-who-died-afghanistan.html
  11. Air Force Times
    https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2016/08/29/congressman-tsgt-chapman-deserves-the-medal-of-honor/
  12. "24th Special Tactics Squadron: Spear of the Sky"
    https://greydynamics.com/the-24th-special-tactics-squadron/
  13. Newsweek
    https://www.newsweek.com/2018/05/18/navy-seals-seal-team-6-left-behind-die-operation-anaconda-slabinski-chapman-912343.html
  14. Task & Purpose
    https://taskandpurpose.com/john-chapman-medal-honor-afghanistan/
  15. Military.com
    https://www.military.com/daily-news/2018/08/22/moh-recipient-john-chapman-wasnt-left-behind-his-team-family-says.html
  16. "Tech. Sgt. John A. Chapman"
    https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/Museum-Exhibits/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/196830/tech-sgt-john-a-chapman/
  17. Task & Purpose
    https://taskandpurpose.com/john-chapman-medal-of-honor-citation/
  18. ‘How incredible the sacrifice:' In the chaos of an Afghanistan battle, John Chapman's heroism was clear; August 22, 2018
    https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2018/08/22/how-incredible-the-sacrifice-in-the-chaos-of-an-afghanistan-battle-john-chapmans-heroism-was-clear/
  19. What is the Hall of Heroes?; MARCH 20, 2019; https://www.war.gov/News/Feature-Stories/Story/Article/1774933/what-is-the-
    https://www.war.gov/News/Feature-Stories/Story/Article/1774933/what-is-the-hall-of-heroes/
  20. "Airman John Chapman's Widow Speaks Out as He's Awarded Posthumous Medal of Honor: 'It's Very Humbling'"
    https://www.yahoo.com/news/airman-john-chapman-apos-widow-193249746.html
  21. verterantributes.org
    http://veterantributes.org/TributeDetail.php?recordID=442
  22. airforce.togetherweserved.com
    https://airforce.togetherweserved.com/usaf/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=Person&ID=65154
  23. Task & Purpose
    https://taskandpurpose.com/military-life/john-chapman-video-medal-honor/
  24. U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command
    https://web.archive.org/web/20061214191054/http://www.msc.navy.mil/sealift/2005/April/chapman.htm
  25. Alone at dawn: Medal of Honor recipient John Chapman and the untold story of the world's deadliest special operations force
  26. "Military Hero John Chapman's Incredible Story To Come To Big Screen, Courtesy Of Thruline Entertainment"
    https://deadline.com/2018/05/air-force-hero-john-chapmans-movie-book-afghanistan-thruline-entertainment-1202396617/
  27. "Untitled John Chapman Project"
    https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8483914/reference
  28. Combat Control
    https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8483914/
  29. Combat Control
    https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8483914/reference/
  30. YouTube
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwZD0JyIyeE&ab_channel=USAFAClassof2026
  31. Navy SEALs Dishonor John Chapman AGAIN. This is DISGUSTING. 🚨NEW🚨
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atn4PcWygLU&si=cJQStvCJsBBFzCdI
  32. Stars and Stripes
    https://www.stripes.com/veterans/2025-02-10/medal-of-honor-museum-petition-16783333.html
Image
Source:
Tip: Wheel or +/− to zoom, drag to pan, Esc to close.