Date of Birth: July 14, 1965
Place of Birth: Springfield, Massachusetts
Home of Record: Windsor Locks, Connecticut
Technical Sergeant John A. Chapman was born on July 14, 1965, in Springfield, Massachusetts, and grew up in Windsor Locks, Connecticut. He attended Windsor Locks High School, where he excelled as a varsity soccer player and diver. Known for his competitive spirit and teamwork, he led his high school team to championships and was recognized in the Interscholastic Athletic Conference throughout his high school years.
After high school, Chapman briefly attended the University of Connecticut and worked in an auto body shop before finding his calling in the United States Air Force, which he joined on September 27, 1985. Initially serving as an Information Systems Operator, he later retrained as a Combat Controller, a role that suited his desire for a challenging and impactful career.
Chapman served with distinction in various assignments, culminating in his service with the 24th Special Tactics Squadron at Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina. His rigorous training and dedication prepared him for the extraordinary challenges he would face in combat.
On March 4, 2002, during Operation Anaconda in Afghanistan, Chapman displayed unparalleled heroism in the Battle of Takur Ghar, also known as the Battle of Robert’s Ridge. When his team’s helicopter came under heavy fire and a Navy SEAL fell from the aircraft, Chapman and his team voluntarily reinserted themselves into an enemy stronghold to rescue their comrade. Despite being heavily outnumbered and under intense fire, Chapman charged enemy positions, destroying an enemy bunker and continuing to engage the enemy even after being severely wounded. His actions directly saved the lives of his teammates and demonstrated extraordinary valor and self-sacrifice.
For his heroic actions, Chapman was posthumously awarded the Air Force Cross, which was later upgraded to the Medal of Honor in 2018, making him the first U.S. Air Force member to receive the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War. The citation highlights his gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty.
John A. Chapman is survived by his wife, Valerie Nessel, and their two daughters, Madison and Brianna. He is buried at Saint Mary Byzantine Catholic Church Cemetery in Windber, Pennsylvania.
Chapman’s legacy is a testament to the highest traditions of military service. His story is one of courage, dedication, and ultimate sacrifice. He is remembered not only for his bravery but also for his unwavering commitment to his teammates and his country. His spirit lives on in the hearts of his family, friends, and fellow servicemen and women.
Medal of Honor Citation:
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Technical Sergeant John A. Chapman, United States Air Force, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. Technical Sergeant Chapman distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism as an Air Force Special Tactics Combat Controller of the 24th Special Tactics Squadron, attached to a Navy SEAL Team conducting reconnaissance operations in Takur Ghar, Afghanistan, on 4 March 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.
John Chapman’s story and spirit will live on in the lives of his family, friends, and teammates. He is a true American hero, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations.
