Air Force Master Sgt. John Chapman’s final act of valor honored

Air Force Master Sgt. John Allan Chapman, the only Air Force Medal of Honor recipient since the Vietnam War, gave his life in a harrowing battle on a remote Afghan mountaintop in 2002. His actions during the failed reconnaissance-turned-rescue mission saved numerous lives and cemented his legacy as a hero, reports DOD.

Born in 1965 in Massachusetts and raised in Connecticut, Chapman enlisted in the Air Force in 1985. Initially serving as an information systems operator, he later trained as a special operations combat controller, undergoing one of the military’s toughest training regimens.

On 4 March 4 2002, Chapman was attached to a Navy SEAL team on Takur Ghar, a 10,000-foot peak in Afghanistan, when their helicopter was ambushed by al-Qaida fighters. As they attempted to rescue a fallen SEAL, Chapman charged enemy positions, eliminating multiple insurgents before being severely wounded. Despite his injuries, he continued to fight for over an hour before succumbing to enemy fire. His sacrifice allowed his teammates to escape.

Initially awarded the Air Force Cross, Chapman’s heroism was later reevaluated, and in 2018, his widow accepted the Medal of Honor from President Donald Trump. Posthumously promoted to master sergeant, Chapman was inducted into the Pentagon’s Hall of Heroes.

His legacy endures through multiple honors, including a Navy cargo ship, an aircraft dedication, and a training annex bearing his name. The National Medal of Honor Museum, opening in March 2025 in Arlington, Texas, will further commemorate his sacrifice.