President Donald Trump to award Medal of Honor to widow of airman killed fighting al-Qaeda
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
WASHINGTON – A 30-month review of grainy drone footage, autopsy results and eyewitness accounts of Air Force Tech Sgt. John Chapman's heroism on a frozen mountaintop in Afghanistan in 2002 prompted the Pentagon to upgrade his commendation to the nation's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, according to documents and interviews.
The painstaking review required more than two years of investigation in part because of the highly classified nature of Chapman's mission as a special operator. Some of those charged with the review were not authorized for a time to see some of the information, according to an Air Force officer who spoke about the mission on condition of anonymity because officers were not authorized to speak publicly about the review.
Chapman, 36, was awarded the Air Force Cross posthumously after the battle of Roberts Ridge. There was no dispute at the time that he charged into enemy fire on a rescue mission to retrieve Neil Roberts, a Navy SEAL who was killed when he was thrown from a helicopter that had been attacked. Believing Chapman had been killed in the initial assault, his team retreated from the 11,000-foot mountain.But the new analysis layered video footage from a Predator drone that circled overhead along with testimony from troops listening in on al-Qaida insurgents and autopsy results to show that Chapman had recovered from his initial wounds to continue fighting.
On Wednesday, President Donald Trump is set to award his widow, Valerie Nessel, with the medal.
Survived six gunshot wounds
Among the review's key findings is that Chapman survived at least six gunshot wounds to his heel, calf, back and liver and suffered a broken nose and other scars to his face while fighting the extremists. The autopsy found that Chapman probably lost consciousness as a result of those wounds, leading his fellow commandos to believe that he had been killed, according to the officer.
The declassified footage from the drone shows grainy footage of movement by Chapman and gunfire coming from the bunker he occupied after his fellow troops had left. Intercepted communication from the insurgents also showed they referred to an American as a threat after Chapman had been left for dead.
When another helicopter arrived, Chapman emerged from the bunker, exposed his back to an enemy machine gun and fired at insurgents attacking the aircraft. The wound he suffered exploded his aorta, the officer said, a shot that killed him within 30 seconds. The troops who recovered Chapman's body found that he had expended virtually all of 210 rounds of ammunition he had carried to battle.
The review of Chapman's medal award was sparked in 2014 by an initiative launched by then-Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel to review awards for heroism after the Sept. 11 terror attacks. There was concern that the standards for conferring awards for valor had been overly stringent at the outset of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Chapman is the first airman to be awarded the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War.
That examination resulted in the upgrade of several medals, including the Medal of Honor to Navy SEAL Britt Slabinski for his heroism in the battle on Roberts Ridge.
Hagel, in an interview, said the need for a review of awards was overdue. The counterinsurgency wars and the advent of drones had changed the nature of combat.
Personal experience also dictated the review. Hagel and his brother Tom served in combat in Vietnam. They saw firsthand medals awarded to troops who didn't deserve them and other servicemen whose heroism was overlooked.
"This Medal of Honor is one example of how the system has worked," Hagel said.
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We will all be following this today. The recognizing of one of America's finest, a member of our service and an exceptional American is important to commemorate the valor this man displayed, sacrificing his safety, and ultimately his life while protecting his brothers.
Rest in Preace Brother.
This has nothing to do with politics, if you can't live with that, don't comment here.
That's nice.
Chapman is, indeed, one of America's finest, and very deserving of this honor. Too bad he has to receive it from a treasonous scumbag like Trump. He deserves better.
Agreed Lenny.
I warned you, Lenny. Take that stupidity elsewhere.
Trump is part of the story, he will be bestowing the honor. I am commenting directly on that, and opposition to Trump has NOTHING to do with left/right politics.
Tickets? Was Lenny speeding?
Trump was mentioned once, as the person giving the award. The other 99% of the story was about a soldier's bravery.
Way to really focus on the truly important thing in the story--the President and not the recipient of the award.
Kudos for sticking with your TDS and never seeking any treatment for it.
SMMFH at all the Trump Haters who can seemingly make virtually anything in the world all about Trump.
There is probably 10-15 other articles you can bash Trump on and probably be even close to on topic.
But no, you chose an article about bravery to voice your displeasure and hatred of our President on.
Keep it classy.
Oh, I forgot--/S
BTW, if you bothered to read the seed, you would see that you don't even have the facts right in your comment.
In your hurry to make this about the President, you must've missed that.
So, in your mind, the award or the recipient's actions aren't the most important things, it is the bestower.
Weird.
A shame that you and Tessylo had to take a solemn occasion honoring a fallen hero and just had to turn it political and throw your hatred of President Trump into it. Pretty sad mister. I'm sure there are other places on Newstalkers you can do that.
It appears that hating Trump is far more important than honoring a fallen hero, at least for a few sad people.
Dear Friend Spikegary: Credit earned is credit due.
Those who make the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom deserve veneration.
Even if they don't want it.
In spite of the fact that this isn't why they assume the risk.
They are the best of us.
They deserve through the merit of valor a special place in the world to come.
Peace and Abundant Blessings to One and All.
Enoch.
Dear friend Enoch, I couldn't agree more.
Thank you, my friend. The bravery displayed by people that consider themselves nothing more than 'ordinary' speaks to the love they have for their brothers and sisters in arms and their country is astounding.
Spike, I have one question for you on this and, it is slightly political.
You show this honor that is bestowed on a fallen soldier being presented by Trump, did you do the same when Obama was president or, did you forget he also bestowed these honors as well?
No, the award is always presented by the Presdient. It is also known as the Congressional Medal of Honor, thought the official name is The Medal of Honor. I post these Medal of Honor Stories regardless of who the president/presenter is, as I am a military man, these awards mean a great deal to me, as do the men that have earned them.
So, in answer to your question, yes, I did post these when President Obama was presdient and the presdients before him. You see, President Obama was also my president, because I am an American Citizen first, and everything else comes after that. You may also notice, if you've followed my comments closely, I try to always use the words 'President ___________' when referring to any president, because, they are in fact, the President of my country, whether they were my choice at the polling station or not. Adulting is a choice. And your question wasn't political, it was personal. You can always message me to ask these things, unless you are trying to make some type of point.
Nope, I was curious and, you are right, I should have contacted you privately, I didn't think of that. Sorry.
Some never stop trying to score some mythical political "points".
SMH
I read Galen's reply and am satisfied with it. Back to who the story is really about.
Spike, I'm glad you posted this seed, Chapman truly exemplifies the phrase, "No man left behind".
RIP, TSgt Chapman. And thank-you, Mr Hagel for honoring one of the best
As retired Army, I am so very proud of this man. RIP Sir.
Thank you for the clap.
I'm sure it is my pleasure!
(And absolutely no offense meant!)
No offense taken.
We retired military types need to hang together........Thanks for your service to our great nation.
As someone who is retired U.S. Navy, I am equally proud of any American service person who is awarded the Medal of Honor.
I'm also very proud of Tech Sargent Chapman...A true American hero.
And Kudos to Mr. Hagel.