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AFSOC honors Master Sgt. John Chapman

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Lynette Rolen
  • Air Force Special Operations Command

Air Force Special Operations Command kicked off a series of events Oct. 25 to pay tribute to Medal of Honor recipient Master Sgt. John Chapman.

A portrait dedication ceremony was the first event. Approximately 100 AFSOC Airmen, community and national leaders gathered to observe the event commemorating Chapman’s life.  

Chapman was a Special Tactics Combat Controller who saved the lives of his teammates during a conflict in Afghanistan on March 4, 2002.

“Thank you to everyone who came today to remember and honor MSgt. Chapman,” said Lt. Gen. Brad Webb, commander of AFSOC. “He was the example of the motto: ‘Here am I, send me.’ He was ready to go fight for his nation and make that ultimate sacrifice for his teammates. Because of his actions on March 4, his memory will always be preserved here.”

Chapman is the first Airman to be awarded the Medal of Honor since Vietnam and the 19th Airman since the beginning of the Air Force in 1947.

 “John was a true hero,” said Valerie Nessel, Chapman’s widow. “He would be honored by all of the support shown today.”