John A. Chapman
John A. Chapman | |
|---|---|
Chapman in uniform | |
| Born | July 14, 1965 Springfield, Massachusetts, United States |
| Died | March 4, 2002 (aged 36) Takur Ghar, Paktia, Afghanistan |
| Buried | Saint Mary Byzantine Catholic Church Cemetery, Windber, Pennsylvania |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Service years | 1985–2002 |
| Rank | Technical Sergeant, Posthumously given the rank of Master Sergeant |
| Unit | 21st Special Tactics Squadron 320th Special Tactics Squadron 24th Special Tactics Squadron |
| Conflicts | |
| Awards | Medal of Honor Purple Heart |
| Spouse |
Valerie Nessel (m. 1992) |
| Children | 2 |
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.