Air Force Master Sgt. John A. “Chappy” Chapman, who gave his life saving 20 fellow service members during an ambush in Afghanistan over two decades ago, was honored Wednesday with the unveiling of a dedicated plaque at Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial in La Jolla.
Chapman was a special tactics combat controller attached to a Navy SEAL unit, whose team’s helicopter was attacked during the Battle of Takur Ghar on March 4, 2002, according to the National Medal of Honor Museum. After one of his teammates fell from the aircraft, Chapman and others volunteered to retrieve him.
While taking fire in thigh-deep snow, Chapman cleared an enemy bunker before charging a second one with a machine gun. He died while trying to protect his team, an incoming backup helicopter and while engaging with multiple enemy combatants.
Retired Air Force Col. Travis Woodworth, left, and Retired Master Sgt. Kyle Stanbro, who served with John A. “Chappy” Chapman, stand next to the plaque at Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial on Wednesday. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
His actions were recognized with an Air Force Cross before it was upgraded to a Medal of Honor in 2018.
“Master Sergeant Chapman’s actions saved the lives of over 20 fellow Americans,” said Neil O’Connell, executive director of the Mt. Soledad Memorial Association. “His legacy represents the pinnacle of the American warrior spirit. We are honored to provide a permanent home for his story on these walls.”
The ceremony was attended by Dan Schilling, a New York Times bestselling author who helped lobby for Chapman’s Medal of Honor, and included a presentation of colors and the playing of Taps. Chapman was from Springfield, Mass.