In 2018, Master Sgt. John A. Chapman became the first airman to receive the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War. Now, the training annex where his special tactics training began has been named in his honor.
The Medina Training Annex on Joint Base San Antoino-Lackland in Texas was officially renamed the Chapman Training Annex at a ceremony Wednesday morning. Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Stephen A. Wilson served as the keynote speaker, and the ceremony was attended by Chapman's family.
Chapman, an Air Force combat controller, was killed in action during the Battle of Takur Ghar, Afghanistan, in 2002. He was serving as part of a joint special operations reconnaissance team on an MH-47 "Chinook" that flew into an enemy ambush in the early hours of the morning. The helicopter took heavy fire from small arms and rocket-propelled grenade weaponry resulting in Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Neil Roberts falling from the helicopter.
After a controlled crash landing 8 km away, the team chose to turn back for Petty Officer Roberts. It was during this rescue attempt that Chapman acted with "conspicuous gallantry," sustaining significant injuries and temporarily losing consciousness before defending the incoming quick reaction force team. Even with severe, mortal wounds, he continued to fight against multiple enemy fighters which ultimately led to his death.
Family, friends gather for Medal of Honor ceremony WednesdayIn August 2018, Chapman's award was upgraded from the Air Force Cross when enhanced drone footage revealed what had previously been unknown — while the SEAL team Chapman was attached to believed him to be dead and extracted without him, he was only unconscious. After regaining consciousness, he fought until his death despite mortal wounds.
Chapman is only the fourth Air Force enlisted Airmen to earn the Medal of Honor. “Chapman Training Annex will serve as a reminder not only to special warfare trainees, but to all Airmen who train here, of the service, heroism, and ultimate sacrifice of Master Sgt. John Chapman,” said Col. Parks Hughes, Special Warfare Training Wing commander. “This ceremony pays tribute to an Airman who represents the best of our Air Force, who gave his life fighting to save his teammates.”
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