A True American Hero, John A. Chapman (July 14, 1965 - March 4, 2002) Combat Controller in the United States Air Force Battle of Takur Ghar, War in Afghanistan In 2003, Chapman was posthumously awarded the Air Force Cross for his courage, selfless dedication to duty that day and extraordinary heroism. But after a prolonged campaign, this was upgraded in 2018 to the US Armed Services highest award for bravery and valor, the Medal of Honour.

Let's not forget the men that died trying to save him. They are hero's too.

Chinook: Coming to rescue Chapman. Chapman: Let me rescue this helicopter.

Imagine loosing a fistfight to a guy that’s literally dying

My father was leading the group of Rangers attempting to rescue him. Unfortunately, they could not get to him before the enemy. His death will not be disgraced though, thank you for recognizing his bravery.

I like how they left the last few moments respectfully silent and serene without marketing

Even death hesitated to take him.

"Shot through the heart." Buddy, he was all heart.

“Alone At Dawn”, the powerful story of Mark Chapman’s life and death is a gripping read/listen. There is no question the Naval Special Forces (SEAL) commanders were riven with confusion, made extremely poor tactical decisions and subsequently tried to block S/Sgt Chapman’s MOH. While his was in the very finest traditions of service their own conduct was shabby and inglorious.

My friend and brother, Spc. Marc Anderson was one of the members of the Ranger QRF sent to aid the Seals and Chapman. Sadly he was also one of the Rangers who lost their lives that day.

"The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him." - G. K. Chesterton

From what ive gathered, he was on the adrenaline high of his life, he fought like a spartan. He was a living legend of what we as Americans should be about.

This is the kind of story that deserves to be a movie.

A big F-you to the Navy who tried to prevent him from being awarded the Medal of Honor.

As a Veteran myself, I truly can appreciate the nuanced moment of silence at the end of the video, allowing viewers to reflect on this man’s heroism. May we never forget.

The SEALs left him behind and tried to blocked him from receiving MOH. What a brave Airforce guy he was.

"Courage is fear holding on a minute longer." -George S. Patton

Chapman wasn’t stuck on the mountain with the enemy. The enemy was stuck on that mountain with him

This guy is the epitome of a hero. What a total badass! /F

What a God damn hero. He knew he was dying and still he fought to protect his men and his family back home.

In the process of joining Air Force Special Warfare, a couple months ago we had a memorial workout for Chapman. After hearing the story, I can confirm that it was the most heart crushing workout I've ever taken part in.

I have read about him and his actions in Afghanistan. Very interesting and heroic story. So far he is the latest recipient of the U.S Air Force Medal of Honor which was given to his family posthumously by President Trump in 2018. Much respect to John A. Chapman. May he rest in peace.

Chapman: None of you seem to understand, I'm not stuck up here with you... YOU'RE STUCK UP HERE WITH ME!!!!!

The minute of silence at the end was very respectful and kind.

The minute of silence at the end is profound and very heart tugging, may this man's soul rest in peace 🙏

I wonder if Chapman was thinking about his wife and daughters during the heat of battle. What’s sad is that he probably knew he was already dead from the start.

The last minute of this video, the “moment of silence”, was extremely classy and beautiful. Great work!

I was about to say... it is simply outrageous that he received anything less than the Medal of Honor. I will say this... I served in the military along side many of the special operations units, and the Air Force Air Traffic Controllers are always the least talked about, least recognized, most underrated special unit in our military. I was so impressed with the special units from the Air Force... the level of respect that have for these guys is tremendous. For example, during Operation Irene, in Mogadishu... the event upon which the movie Blackhawk Down is based, the movie mentions and recognizes the sacrifices and heroic actions of both the 175th Rangers and SFOD-D, but no one even mentions the fact that Air Force Air Traffic Controllers were extremely heroic during that battle and that they, especially one of them in particular, was almost solely responsible for the survival of the Ranger land convoy. That guy should also have gotten the Medal of Honor, like the two fallen Delta guys.

I like that moment of silence at the end. Really gives you time to reflect on what's important in life.....

Everybody: the airforce is a joke The airforce: ever heard of chapman?

Never underestimate a man with nothing left to lose. He earned it.

Kinda brings a tear to my eye that well over 2 decades later we still talk about this man, a true hero who fought against all odds and died with discipline and honor in his heart.

Really appreciated the moment of silence at the end.

That dude went out Noble 6 Lone Wolf style. We could only ever hope to die so gloriously, selflessly, and bravely. Rest in peace.

The real story is how in the aftermath, the top brass was trying to cover their service pride rather than honour a brave soldier.

The actual drone footage in insane and scary... It shows how close they truly were to Chapman and him still fighting.

The moment of silence at the end of this video is a perfect homage to the man. Reflective and humble. It's a nice touch. o7 Chapman

this is what a well trained, selfless, courageous, ballsy person gives you.

Chapman? After all of that, I think Chadman is more fitting

I've seen the footage. Nothing but respect for this man and amazement at his courage and love for his team.

I love the moment of silence/ reflection upon the mountains that he fought on at the end of the video. Beautiful touch. Thank you for sharing this story.

"Do not go gentle into that goodnight"

The enemy is screaming, "Why won't you die?!!" Chapman responded, *"BECAUSE I'M NOT DONE YET!"*

Seriously, the real footage of this is so real, so raw and the man is a real hero. May he RIP.

It gives me chills to watch this. Everyone thinks heroes are sports stars and actors or musicians. But in actuality they are all around us. They are our soldiers and your local police officers.

To anyone who hasn't seen the footage, it's incredible and sad. Brave men with steel balls. RIP

To the brave men who went to rescue him and the brave man himself. They are all heroes, but sometimes even the heroes need heroes, and even then sometimes the heroes of the heroes need heroes, godspeed.

I love how you put a moment of silence at the end for that brave man, thank you for your service!

I’d like to point out that John Chapman belonged to the Air Forces’s 24th STS. A tier 1 special missions unit. Which is the equivalent of the Navy’s Devgru and Army’s Delta Force.

His citation: "Technical Sergeant John A. Chapman distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism as an Air Force Special Tactics Combat Controller, attached to a Navy Sea, Air, and Land (SEAL) Team conducting reconnaissance operations in Takur Ghar, Afghanistan, on March 4, 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." Rest in Peace Hero

I saw the footage. He didn't give up at all. Fought all the way till the end. God I love our veterans and the sacrifices they make day in day out. Respect and condolences to those affected by wars of our fathers.

*"THEIR SHELTER HAS BECOME THEIR TOMB"* -Dreadnought Chapman

There is a barracks named after him for basic training, wasn't in that, and he is an example of those who are an AIR FORCE HERO in a book there, rest in peace brother from a man who also served as well.

"Man literally too angry to die"

Thank you for adding a moment of silence at the end of the video. That was an amazing and really unexpected thing to see happen.

Love the 1minute of silence at the end for the fallen, fits so well and nice to see a channel with this kind of respect. May god be with them, their families and whoever reads this. Edit: just some grammar fix, English is my second language.

This UAV footage is available on UKposts btw, under the title "the first Medal of Honor caught on camera". It's some heavy stuff.

Valhalla: Mhmm this Airman gets a pass. Hey you soldiers and marines don't mind? GySgt John Basilone: Nope! MSG Gary Gordon: Not at all SFC Randy Shugart: Why do we have to mind him? Basically every fallen MoH recipient: Who cares, let him in! RIP MSgt. 1.1k human valhalla guards approved

Ive heard this story before..i jus had to here it again..this man is my Hero..brave man & great soldier..may he rest in power.

I remember seeing the arial footage with pauses at each significant moment, and it’s so much more terrifying that even this video tells. Seeing the grenades, RPG’s and ridiculous quantity of rounds pouring over Chapman is incredible. RIP to a true hero.

Navy: we’ve got seal team 6 Army: we’ve got delta force Air Force: we’ve got John Chapman

He's a whole unit.

One of my close friends was pals with Chapman. Tears him up every time he’s reminded of how this went down.

Everytime I watch this I tear up. What a true American and warrior. May your cup always be filled and your deeds never forgotten.

This battle inspired the last act of the 2010 Medal of Honor game. Actually a pretty enjoyable game, imo.

Chapman was mortally wounded, was thought to have died and comes back hours later, doesn't speak and achieves all of this? This guy was a revenant.

This story always gets me it's a very powerful one even when watching the drone footage. It's good to know there are brave men like this out there who are protecting us.

7:46 Chapman: 'i should be dead' *sees friendlies needing help* Chapman: 'VALHALLA CALLS BUT THIS WILL BE THEIR RAGNOROK!!!*

As a civillian, it takes courage to say "yes" and join the service. For soldiers who CHOOSE to go into enemy fire to save a friendly, takes a whole new level of courage rarely seen. Thank you

Chapman needs a song from Sabaton made in his honor, he is legend that would be welcomed in the Halls of Valhalla and amongst the greatest people who fought until their last dying breath.

I can't stop thinking they're dead for almost nothing

Hero's still exist, you can easily find many of these amazing men, and even women in all branches of the American military. They never hesitate, even knowing they will make the Ultimate Sacrifice, never to see their loved ones again in this life. We are so blessed! These are Real Americans!

It's a crime that he was awarded the MOH 16 years after his actions. Should've been the day after.

Obviously he used Aimbot. But seriously this guy is amazing, what a war hero. Respect

All most nothing is as amazing and wonderfully inspiring as the human spirit.

It’s been 20years ago. This man (Chapman) is insane and beyond brave.

That battle is also known as the Battle of Robert's Ridge after the petty officer who fell out of the back of Chopper No one gets left behind alive or dead we all go home

It's wild to think that his two daughters, who are grown up now, can look up their father and find a video like this. They might have grown up without him, but his legacy is far stretching and easily found and documented like this. I wonder how it must feel for them.

Godspeed brother and fellow Airman. Godspeed to my brothers in the Navy and Army that were lost that day as well.

Thank you for making his story know. Stand down my brother, we have the watch from here.

John Chapman is the most inspirational and selfless airman to ever exist. He truly believed in what he was doing to save his brothers.

This is inaccurate. He got two Medals of Honor.

Thank you for the peaceful moment of silence at the end 🦅

Thank you to all that served and to ALL that paid the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. You will NEVER be forgotten.

Makes me cry every time. A true hero, may he rest in peace.

Heard about his story and he’s a true American Hero bless him I would love to see a movie about him and other heroes we never got to really know about

Such an shaving story and men. I've watched many videos about him and still get in my emotions listening to it.

The real video of this gave me goosebumps and had me in tears.. great fight brother ❤️

TSgt Chapman, may you rest in peace... "AIM HIGH, AIRMAN"

The CIA drone footage is on UKposts, it’s worth the watch considering it’s the real deal

These stories of our boys always brings tear to my eye. God bless our brave soldiers. Wasn't for them we wouldn't ahve this great freedom many take for granted🤙🇺🇸

God Bless our troops and veterans, I thank you for the service and your sacrifices so I can live a safe and free life to raise my kids, and for them to grow up in a life most don't.

He's amazing. They're amazing. I'm so grateful for their honourable actions. May he and his team rest in peace.

Has anyone seen the actual footage recording? That was very deep and sad. Edit: this is the real footage ukposts.info/have/v-deo/a598gaCLqJqFuqM.html

John A Chapman. Legend has it he has balls as big as a beach ball. And made of titanium. Lots of respect mr. Chapman. You the baddest soldier to ever exist.

RIP to all of the brave warriors that lost their lives that day.

That day, Valhalla got a new warrior in its halls.

5:23 I know that seal team leader is haunted by his Choice

God bless all our fallen heroes. Let us never forget their bravery and sacrifices and may they live on forever in our hearts and minds. To all those who serve and have fought and those that have fallen.

JC, your story will live on and you are remembered by your family and brothers in arms. Rest easy.