This week for our Pro Armory Blog, we are going to tell the story of a personal hero of mine, John Chapman. First, though, let me ask you a question - what would you do to save or recover the remains of someone who always had your six? Would you lay your life on the line? These are the questions that many combat oriented servicemen and women do not even hesitate to answer in the line of duty. This is one of the core differences between us and those militaries second to ours. We never leave a brother or sister behind. It is this question from which details surrounding the heroic valor in Chapman’s story come to light.

John Chapman, born July 14, 1965, was a one of a kind guy, joining the Air Force in the early years of the Combat Controllers legacy. That is, once the DOD slotted the newest military branch the “Pathfinders” unit, and they separated from Big Army in 1947! Pathfinders found their origin in the U.S. Army during the Second World War, and have since always been a part of the branch, though not in the capacity it was back then. Once the Air Force took hold of the Unit from the Army, the Army redesignated its Pathfinders and geared them less towards jumping out of planes, and more towards repelling from choppers. Whereas, the Air Force renamed the Pathfinders to the Pathfinder squadron once they were able to call it theirs, and later discontinued the unit altogether, in lieu of a different designation. Thus, in 1953, the Pathfinder Squadron was discontinued and the pathfinder team was assigned to the 1st Aerial Port Squadron where it was officially designated a Combat Control Team.

As the Air Force grew, so did the CCTs. In the later part of the Korean War, CCTs took on a far more influential role in the Spec Ops community, taking on control of combat airspace in war zones. That is right! These guys were essentially Air traffic controllers with a lethality that would make the devil himself quiver in fear! CCTs went through rigorous training from all the special operations schools in all the branches of the service! Delta, Special Forces, SEALS, you name it, they trained on it!

Now, the CCTs did not get full traction to be used in tactical maneuvers until the War in Vietnam, where the need for skilled individuals to mark targets to improve the accuracy of airstrikes became a larger factor. The heavy jungles in Laos, Cambodia, and the Ho Chi Minh trail ade is difficult for precision airstrikes on hidden hostiles. I mean, these guys were absolute animals!

However, we did not come here to talk about the Air Force badasses, though. No, we are here to talk about one of these incredible human beings. John Chapman, enlisted in the United States Air Force on September 27, 1985. After his enlistment, he quickly rose from a mere information systems operator, to one of the most revered Combat Controllers in just seven short years. If you think that is impressive, that was just a normal feat at the office for Chapman. Growing up, Chapman’s friends described him as the most genuine good hearted person they know. He was an individual raised to be compassionate and considerate. He was one who would stop and talk to you in the hallway anytime he saw you, or any other strange upset. John was truly someone to admire, and he kept that up through his military service.

At the time of the attack on September 11, 2001, Chapman was stationed at Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina as a part of the 24th Special Tactics Squadron. It was here that Chapman would earn his place in history, and have his name joined with others awarded the highest of honors for valor in U.S. history, the Congressional Medal of Honor.

The date was March 4, 2002, in Afghanistan on the Takur Ghar mountain peak at an elevation of 10,000 feet. Deep snow covered the ground as a SEAL team accompanied by Master Sergeant Chapman descended for a controlled landing after being struck by an RPG. The reason they descended after being struck was because the impact of the RPG caused one of the SEALs to fall from the CH-47. Thus, a decision was made and they turned back to rescue their fallen brother, no matter the cost.

What followed next is best shown and described by CIA Drone footage and MSGT Chapman’s Medal of Honor citation. This was the first Medal of Honor story caught on video, as Chapman fought through hell to save his fellow SEALs as well as a CH-47 full of Army Rangers, from the entrenched Al-Qaeda fighters.

Citations for John Chapman’s Medal of Honor courtesy of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society:

Technical Sergeant John A. Chapman distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism as an Air Force Special Tactics Combat Controller, attached to a Navy Sea, Air, and Land (SEAL) Team conducting reconnaissance operations in Takur Ghar, Afghanistan, on March 4, 2002. During insertion, the team’s helicopter was ambushed causing a teammate to fall into an entrenched group of enemy combatants below. Sergeant Chapman and the team voluntarily reinserted onto the snow-capped mountain, into the heart of a known enemy stronghold to rescue one of their own. Without regard for his own safety, Sergeant Chapman immediately engaged, moving in the direction of the closest enemy position despite coming under heavy fire from multiple directions. He fearlessly charged an enemy bunker, up a steep incline in thigh-deep snow and into hostile fire, directly engaging the enemy. Upon reaching the bunker, Sergeant Chapman assaulted and cleared the position, killing all enemy occupants. With complete disregard for his own life, Sergeant Chapman deliberately moved from cover only 12 meters from the enemy, and exposed himself once again to attack a second bunker, from which an emplaced machine gun was firing on his team. During this assault from an exposed position directly in the line of intense fire, Sergeant Chapman was struck and injured by enemy fire. Despite severe, mortal wounds, he continued to fight relentlessly, sustaining a violent engagement with multiple enemy personnel before making the ultimate sacrifice. By his heroic actions and extraordinary valor, sacrificing his life for the lives of his teammates, Technical Sergeant Chapman upheld the highest traditions of military service and reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Video of Chapman’s Encounter:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oKMjTqdTYo

After watching that, would you believe that Chapman was only initially awarded posthumously an Air Force Cross for his actions at Takur Ghar. It was not until 15 years later, under President Donald Trump, that John Chapman would get the honor many already believed he deserved.

You know, in some ancient cultures they say that a man’s character is exemplified not only by bravery in battle, but in the habits of their daily conduct. John Chapman was the living embodiment of this ancient definition, and a true warrior driven by a constitutional nature of caring for those around him.

That is all for this week folks! We shall see you all next time on the Pro Armory Blog, for more stories of our All American Heros! 

Pro Armory Brings Training To Your Home!

Handgun Fundamentals Online Training

$97.00
at Pro Armory

view product

Prices accurate at time of writing