The U.S. Air Force has released a dramatic aerial footage that shows Tech Sgt. John Chapman’s final fight – engaging in hand-to-hand combat with Al-Qaeda terrorists. (Fox News)
Chapman, 36, a native of Windsor Locks, Conn., could be seen on March 4, 2002, charging the enemy on Takur Ghar, a 10,000-foot mountain, Task & Purpose reported. Chapman joined Navy SEALs in an effort to recover a wounded comrade who had fallen from the aircraft after it was hit with a rocket-propelled grenade.
Chapman “charged into enemy fire through harrowing conditions,” seized a bunker and killed its occupants, the White House said.
The Air Force said he was struck and temporarily incapacited by enemy fire when he moved from one protective cover to engage the enemy.
Britt K. Slabinski, a retired member of SEAL Team 6, who received the Medal of Honor in May for his heroics during the same 14-hour battle, believed Chapman was dead, and moved the team — including someone with a serious leg injury — off the battlefield, the New York Times reported.
However, Chapman regained consciousness and continued to fight against overwhelming odds, taking even more enemy soldiers with him.