John Chapman fought a heroic last stand in the Battle of Takur Ghar after being mistaken for dead

Many soldiers carry out extraordinary acts of bravery in combat, and most are honored for their courage soon after. However, some have to wait much longer for recognition, like Master Sgt. John Chapman, who was awarded the Medal of Honor 16 years after his remarkable act of valor on the battlefield.

John Chapman's entry into the US Air Force

John Chapman was born in 1965 in Springfield, Massachusetts. He later moved to Connecticut, graduating from Windsor Locks High School in 1983. Two years later, he enlisted in the US Air Force, joining while the Cold War was still underway. At the time, the Soviet Union was engaged in a conflict in the mountains of Afghanistan, a war that, less than two decades later, would mirror America's own struggle in the same treacherous terrain.

Chapman trained as a combat controller, specializing in coordinating fire for ground operations, which led him into the special operations community. He was assigned to the 24th Special Tactics Squadron, based at Pope Air Force Base , North Carolina.

After the September 11th attacks , as the US prepared for combat, Chapman was deployed to Afghanistan, where he would soon cement his place in military history.

Operation Anaconda

By March 2002, the American invasion of Afghanistan was progressing steadily. The Taliban and Al-Qaeda proved resilient, using the country’s rugged terrain to their advantage, challenging the technologically advanced coalition forces.

The coalition started Operation Anaconda , aimed at dismantling enemy forces in the Shahi-Kot Valley and the Arma Mountains. On March 4, John Chapman boarded a Boeing MH-47E Chinook, tasked with inserting alongside a group of US Navy SEALs in what would later be known as the Battle of Takur Ghar.

This encounter would later attract major scrutiny, as it resulted in substantial losses for the Special Operations community. Whether due to flawed planning or unfortunate circumstances, Chapman and the Navy SEALs encountered a well-entrenched enemy force on the Takur Ghar hilltop.

This marked the beginning of one of the more debated battles of the War in Afghanistan.

Battle of Takur Ghar

Almost as soon as John Chapman’s Chinook helicopter touched down, it was immediately hit by small arms fire and struck directly by a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG), causing a US Navy SEAL to fall from the aircraft onto the snow-covered hilltop below.

With no way to rescue the man at that moment, the severely damaged chopper pulled away and landed seven miles from the site. Without delay, Chapman took charge of his role and began coordinating with a nearby Lockheed AC-130 .

Although it wasn't his primary responsibility, Chapman volunteered to attempt the rescue of the missing Navy SEAL from the enemy-held position. He encountered insurgents, swiftly killing two before advancing on a second entrenched machine gun. The rescue team soon found themselves under intense enemy fire.

Despite suffering severe wounds, Chapman continued to fight as the team frantically sought a way out. Believing he had succumbed to his injuries, the team made the decision to withdraw.

Controversy arises

It's here that controversy would arise and gallantry in the face of all odds would emerge. Many years after John Chapman's gallant last stand, advancements in video technology revealed shocking additional details.

Chapman had survived the engagement and continued to fight after the team withdrew. In footage, he can be seen fighting enemy combatants, even dispatching one during hand-to-hand combat. He then made his way to a bunker, before a direct RPG hit ended his last stand.

John Chapman is posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor

With the new information at hand, John Chapman, who'd posthumously received the Air Force Cross, had his award upgraded to the Medal of Honor . He was also posthumously promoted to master sergeant.

More from us: Gary Wetzel: The MoH Recipient Who Rescued His Commander, Despite Losing His Arm to Enemy Action

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While the Battle of Takur Ghar will forever be embroiled in controversy, the gallantry with which Chapman fought until the last moments of his life is beyond contestation. He will forever be enshrined in the halls of military history and has earned the eternal respect of any an all who know that he fought in the now infamous battle.