John A Chapman, MOH

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As you may have realized with Sarge on Vacation (hint, hint), that when I get writer's block I refer to the USAF list of Medal of Honor recipients for their story. I think those stories are important for Americans to know.  Freedom isn't free.

 

 

 

Well, folks, that's the post for today.  The recipient this time has two different reasons for this posting.  One, he is the most recent recipient of the Medal of Honor and two, as you may recognize from his picture, he's enlisted.  OK, three, one more reason.  

 

 

 

His story is one of the most courageous descriptions of ground combat that I've read.  (Suffice it to say, I read a lot of stories like that.). Given that, I'll shut up and post the data.

 

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, U.S.C., awards the Air Force Cross to TSgt John Chapman 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 March 4, 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 propelled 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 established communication with an AC-130 gunship to ensure 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 stronghold. 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.

Holy Crap!  Talk about LARGE Gonads!   Advancing by himself and destroying a manned machine gun position then turning and doing the same to a second position while severely, and ultimately mortally, wounded. 

AND...this was the citation for the Air Force Cross.  I'd HIGHLY recommend reading the story here.  It took until 2018 for the Air Force Cross to be upgraded to the Medal of Honor.  Suffice it to say, the politics and quid pro quo involved is a bit sickening. 

 I've read a lot of MOH stories.  This one takes the cake.

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Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

‭‭John‬ ‭15‬:‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Boy, no kidding.

"Lord, I don't feel a need to be presented with a situation like that, but if you say so, PLEASE don't let me screw it up!"

I've said a prayer along those lines a time or two under some troubling instances in my day. Fortunately, it was never needed.

Peace out Y'all!