Technical Sgt. John Chapman.

Times of great duress show an individual's true character and bravery. On March 4, 2002, Air Force Technical Sgt. John Chapman's heroic actions and sacrifice saved the lives of his fellow men who fought together in the Battle of Takur Ghar on a mountain-top in Afghanistan.

A combat controller, Chapman and a team of Navy SEALs were inserted by helicopter into mountains to battle an entrenched enemy force.

During insertion, their helicopter came under heavy machine-gun fire and was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade, causing a Navy SEAL team member to fall from the aircraft. The helicopter was severely damaged and made an emergency landing about 5 miles from the fallen SEAL. After landing, Chapman called in an AC-130 gunship to provide close-air support and cover the stranded team before directing the gunship to search for the missing team member. Chapman called for, coordinated and controlled an evacuation helicopter for the team, limiting their exposure to enemy fire. According to the award citation, he volunteered to rescue the missing team member without regard for his own life. He engaged and killed two enemy combatants then continued advancing until engaging a dug-in machine gun nest. Coming under heavy fire from the enemy, Chapman fought back at close range until succumbing to multiple wounds. Yet through his actions, his fellow team members were able to find cover and break contact with the enemy. The team leader credited Chapman's aggressive and selfless actions with saving the lives of the entire team. Chapman's widow Valerie and his parents Gene and Terry received medals in the sergeant's honor Jan. 10, 2003. At the ceremony, Gene Chapman spoke of the last conversation he had with his son. "It was March 1, four days before he died. He called, and I heard that, 'Hey ole man;" Gene Chapman said as his eyes began filling with tears. "I told him 'what are you Calling me for? I told you to talk to Val and the kids if you could call.' He said, 'I took care of that. I only have a minute and a half, and I just wanted to hear your voice.' That was the last time I talked with him."

Sgt. Chapman is honored through a special memorial at Arlington National Cemetery and a Navy cargo ship has been named in his honor.

Citation

For extraordinary heroism in military operation against an armed enemy of the United States as a 24th Special Tactics Squadron, Combat Controller in the vicinity of Gardez, in the eastern highlands of Afghanistan, on 4 March 2002. On this date, during his helicopter insertion for a reconnaissance and time sensitive targeting close air support mission, Sergeant Chapman's aircraft came under heavy machine gun fire and received a direct hit from a rocket grenade which caused a United States Navy sea-air-land team member to fall from the aircraft. Though heavily damaged, the aircraft egressed the area and made an emergency landing seven kilometers away. Once on the ground Sergeant Chapman man established communication with an AC-130 gunship to insure the area was secure while providing close air support coverage for the entire team. He then directed the gunship to begin the search for the missing team member. He requested, coordinated, and controlled the helicopter that extracted the stranded team and aircrew members. These actions limited the exposure of the aircrew and team to hostile fire. Without regard for his own life Sergeant Chapman Volunteered to rescue his missing team member from an enemy strong hold. Shortly after insertion, the team made contact with the enemy. Sergeant Chapman engaged and killed two enemy personnel. He continued to advance reaching the enemy position then engaged a second enemy position, a dug-in machine gun nest. At this time the rescue team came under effective enemy fire from three directions. From close range he exchanged fire with the enemy from minimum personal cover until he succumbed to multiple wounds. His engagement and destruction of the first enemy position and advancement on the second position enabled his team to move to cover and break enemy contact. In his own words, his Navy sea-air-land team leader credits Sergeant Chapman unequivocally with saving the lives of the entire rescue team. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, aggressiveness in the face of the enemy, and the dedication to the service of his country, Sergeant Chapman reflects the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.