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        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright present the Medal of Honor Flag to Valerie Nessel, widow of Medal of Honor recipient Tech. Sgt. John Chapman, during Chapman’s Pentagon Hall of Heroes induction ceremony at the Pentagon, in Arlington, Va., Aug. 23, 2018. Chapman was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for actions on Takur Ghar Mountain in Afghanistan March 4, 2002. An elite special operations team was ambushed by the enemy and came under heavy fire from multiple directions. Chapman immediately charged an enemy bunker through thigh-deep snow and killed all enemy occupants. Courageously moving from cover to assault a second machine gun bunker, he was injured by enemy fire. Despite severe wounds, he fought relentlessly, sustaining a violent engagement with multiple enemy personnel before making the ultimate sacrifice. With his last actions he saved the lives of his teammates. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Rusty Frank)Chapman inducted into Pentagon Hall of Heroes
                        
                        
                        Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright present the Medal of Honor Flag to Valerie Nessel, widow of Medal of Honor recipient Tech. Sgt. John Chapman, during Chapman’s Pentagon Hall of Heroes induction ceremony at the Pentagon, in Arlington, Va., Aug. 23, 2018. Chapman was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for actions on Takur Ghar Mountain in Afghanistan March 4, 2002. An elite special operations team was ambushed by the enemy and came under heavy fire from multiple directions. Chapman immediately charged an enemy bunker through thigh-deep snow and killed all enemy occupants. Courageously moving from cover to assault a second machine gun bunker, he was injured by enemy fire. Despite severe wounds, he fought relentlessly, sustaining a violent engagement with multiple enemy personnel before making the ultimate sacrifice. With his last actions he saved the lives of his teammates. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Rusty Frank)
                
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        Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein and Valerie Nessel, widow of Tech. Sgt. John Chapman, view artwork prior to Chapman's Pentagon Hall of Heroes induction ceremony at the Pentagon, in Arlington, Va., Aug. 23, 2018. Chapman was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for actions on Takur Ghar Mountain in Afghanistan March 4, 2002. An elite special operations team was ambushed by the enemy and came under heavy fire from multiple directions. Chapman immediately charged an enemy bunker through thigh-deep snow and killed all enemy occupants. Courageously moving from cover to assault a second machine gun bunker, he was injured by enemy fire. Despite severe wounds, he fought relentlessly, sustaining a violent engagement with multiple enemy personnel before making the ultimate sacrifice. With his last actions he saved the lives of his teammates. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Rusty Frank)Chapman inducted into Pentagon Hall of Heroes
                        
                        
                        Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein and Valerie Nessel, widow of Tech. Sgt. John Chapman, view artwork prior to Chapman's Pentagon Hall of Heroes induction ceremony at the Pentagon, in Arlington, Va., Aug. 23, 2018. Chapman was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for actions on Takur Ghar Mountain in Afghanistan March 4, 2002. An elite special operations team was ambushed by the enemy and came under heavy fire from multiple directions. Chapman immediately charged an enemy bunker through thigh-deep snow and killed all enemy occupants. Courageously moving from cover to assault a second machine gun bunker, he was injured by enemy fire. Despite severe wounds, he fought relentlessly, sustaining a violent engagement with multiple enemy personnel before making the ultimate sacrifice. With his last actions he saved the lives of his teammates. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Rusty Frank)
                
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        Terry Chapman, mother of Tech. Sgt. John Chapman, gives remarks about her son while her daughter, Lori Longfritz, comforts her during Chapman’s Hall of Heroes induction ceremony at the Pentagon, in Arlington, Va., Aug. 23, 2018. Chapman was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for actions on Takur Ghar Mountain in Afghanistan March 4, 2002. An elite special operations team was ambushed by the enemy and came under heavy fire from multiple directions. Chapman immediately charged an enemy bunker through thigh-deep snow and killed all enemy occupants. Courageously moving from cover to assault a second machine gun bunker, he was injured by enemy fire. Despite severe wounds, he fought relentlessly, sustaining a violent engagement with multiple enemy personnel before making the ultimate sacrifice. With his last actions he saved the lives of his teammates. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Rusty Frank)Chapman inducted into Pentagon Hall of Heroes
                        
                        
                        Terry Chapman, mother of Tech. Sgt. John Chapman, gives remarks about her son while her daughter, Lori Longfritz, comforts her during Chapman’s Hall of Heroes induction ceremony at the Pentagon, in Arlington, Va., Aug. 23, 2018. Chapman was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for actions on Takur Ghar Mountain in Afghanistan March 4, 2002. An elite special operations team was ambushed by the enemy and came under heavy fire from multiple directions. Chapman immediately charged an enemy bunker through thigh-deep snow and killed all enemy occupants. Courageously moving from cover to assault a second machine gun bunker, he was injured by enemy fire. Despite severe wounds, he fought relentlessly, sustaining a violent engagement with multiple enemy personnel before making the ultimate sacrifice. With his last actions he saved the lives of his teammates. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Rusty Frank)
                
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        Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright present a plaque to Valerie Nessel, widow of Medal of Honor recipient Tech. Sgt. John Chapman, during the Pentagon Hall of Heroes induction ceremony at the Pentagon, in Arlington, Va., Aug. 23, 2018. Chapman was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for actions on Takur Ghar Mountain in Afghanistan March 4, 2002. An elite special operations team was ambushed by the enemy and came under heavy fire from multiple directions. Chapman immediately charged an enemy bunker through high-deep snow and killed all enemy occupants. Courageously moving from cover to assault a second machine gun bunker, he was injured by enemy fire. Despite severe wounds, he fought relentlessly, sustaining a violent engagement with multiple enemy personnel before making the ultimate sacrifice. With his last actions he saved the lives of his teammates. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Rusty Frank)Chapman inducted into Pentagon Hall of Heroes
                        
                        
                        Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright present a plaque to Valerie Nessel, widow of Medal of Honor recipient Tech. Sgt. John Chapman, during the Pentagon Hall of Heroes induction ceremony at the Pentagon, in Arlington, Va., Aug. 23, 2018. Chapman was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for actions on Takur Ghar Mountain in Afghanistan March 4, 2002. An elite special operations team was ambushed by the enemy and came under heavy fire from multiple directions. Chapman immediately charged an enemy bunker through high-deep snow and killed all enemy occupants. Courageously moving from cover to assault a second machine gun bunker, he was injured by enemy fire. Despite severe wounds, he fought relentlessly, sustaining a violent engagement with multiple enemy personnel before making the ultimate sacrifice. With his last actions he saved the lives of his teammates. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Rusty Frank)
                
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        Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright unveil Tech. Sgt. John Chapman’s name on the Hall of Heroes plaque as Chapman’s widow, Valerie Nessel, looks on during Chapman’s induction ceremony at the Pentagon, in Arlington, Va., Aug. 23, 2018. Chapman was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for actions on Takur Ghar Mountain in Afghanistan March 4, 2002. An elite special operations team was ambushed by the enemy and came under heavy fire from multiple directions. Chapman immediately charged an enemy bunker through thigh-deep snow and killed all enemy occupants. Courageously moving from cover to assault a second machine gun bunker, he was injured by enemy fire. Despite severe wounds, he fought relentlessly, sustaining a violent engagement with multiple enemy personnel before making the ultimate sacrifice. With his last actions he saved the lives of his teammates.  (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Rusty Frank)Chapman inducted into Pentagon Hall of Heroes
                        
                        
                        Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright unveil Tech. Sgt. John Chapman’s name on the Hall of Heroes plaque as Chapman’s widow, Valerie Nessel, looks on during Chapman’s induction ceremony at the Pentagon, in Arlington, Va., Aug. 23, 2018. Chapman was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for actions on Takur Ghar Mountain in Afghanistan March 4, 2002. An elite special operations team was ambushed by the enemy and came under heavy fire from multiple directions. Chapman immediately charged an enemy bunker through thigh-deep snow and killed all enemy occupants. Courageously moving from cover to assault a second machine gun bunker, he was injured by enemy fire. Despite severe wounds, he fought relentlessly, sustaining a violent engagement with multiple enemy personnel before making the ultimate sacrifice. With his last actions he saved the lives of his teammates.  (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Rusty Frank)
                
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Tech. Sgt. John Chapman inducted into Hall of Heroes at PentagonPublished Aug. 23, 2018
                    
                    By Staff Sgt. Victoria H. Taylor
                    
                    
                    Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
            **WASHINGTON (AFNS) --****“**Chapman, John A., Technical Sergeant, USAF” is now permanently inscribed in the Hall of Heroes at the Pentagon following an induction ceremony Aug. 23, 2018.
Nearly two decades after the gallant actions that cost him his life and earned him the nation's highest military award, Chapman’s name was unveiled by his widow, Valerie Nessel, Secretary of the Air Force Heather A. Wilson, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright.
“Our nation endures and continues to be the land of the free because of brave men and women – because of John Chapman,” said Wilson.
Chapman’s name is now memorialized on the walls inside the Hall of Heroes amongst fellow service members who have been recognized for combat valor.
“It’s a story that will be told and retold for generations, the ‘John Chapman story’ joins the ranks of other legends like John Levitow and Bud Day,” said Goldfein. “This incredible warrior who inspires all of us to be better Airmen.”
Chapman is the first Airman since the Vietnam War to receive the Medal of Honor for actions taken.
“Those who knew him knew of his devotion of helping others. He would give anything in his power to help someone,” said Wright. “So it’s no surprise to any of us that he be the fourth enlisted Airman, since the Air Force became an independent service, to be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. John died exactly the way he lived – doing anything in his power he could to help those in need.”
Following remarks made by Air Force leaders, Chapman’s family was presented with a memorial plaque and the Medal of Honor Flag.
“I could go on and tell you all kinds of stories about John, but I don’t have to...I think you already know what he was like,” said his mother, Terry Chapman. “I’m ever so grateful to those who made this possible – I can’t tell you how much it means to me and my family.”honor 



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