AIR FORCE CROSS AWARDED POSHUMOUSLY TO SGT JOHN CHAPMAN

Fox News | 1-10-03 | Fox News

[DWar]

Fox news just reported the posthumous awarding of the Air Force Cross to Sgt John Chapman.

Medals were given to his widow with his two daughters, to his mother and to his father.

While fighting in Afghanastan, Sgt Chapman was credited with saving the lives of the SEAL team with which he worked by heroic action. While under fire he attacked and secured an enemy machine gun position and immediately began attacking another. He began to take fire from three directions whie enjoying only minimal cover and succumed to his wounds. His SEAL team leader credited Sgt Chapmen with saving the lives of the entire team.

The Air Force Cross is the highest award issued by the United States Air Force.

May God bless this American hero and bless and comfort his greiving family.

[DWar]

An American Hero.

[KantianBurke]

God bless him

[Thebaddog]

It probably doesn't take the pain away, but it might help.

[dakine]

Never heard of an "Air Force Medal of Honor"....There is just the "Medal of Honor".

[RoughDobermann]

Never heard of an "Air Force Medal of Honor"....There is just the "Medal of Honor".

No, each branch of service has its own medal. Very similar, but different.

[DWar]

" Never heard of an "Air Force Medal of Honor"....There is just the "Medal of Honor". "

I report. You decide.

[blastdad51]

God bless all who wear a uniform in defense of freedom. TSgt Chapman's family has endured a terrible personal loss and our prayers and heart felt sympathies go to them. May the Lord bless and comfort them.

[fly_navy]

actually, I think he was supposed to get the Air Force Cross....there is only one Congressional Medal of Honor, but as RoughDobermann points out, the actual medal varies for each service.

[Imal]

It is unfortunate that this is often the only way we can really tell who the greatest among us are.

I am damn proud that Sgt John Chapman, an airman and soldier with the heart of a lion, was a fellow countryman. I can only hope that I might someday be able to stand before the Almighty with the poise and honor of this great American.

Our nation is both blessed by his sacrifice and diminished by his loss.

[RoughDobermann]

Air Force Medal of Honor

[jackbill]

It wasn't a "Medal of Honor", it was the Air Force Cross.

From an Air Force web site:

The Air Force Cross is awarded to U.S. and Foreign military personnel and civilians who have displayed extraordinary heroism in one of the following situations: while engaged in action against a U.S. enemy, while engaged in military operations involving conflict with a foreign force, or while serving with a Friendly nation engaged in armed conflict against a force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. The Air Force Cross is awarded when the heroic actions fall just short of warranting the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Prior to 1960, when Congress established the Air Force Cross, enlisted men were decorated with the Distinguished Service Cross for heroic actions. In the Vietnam era, countless airman performed brave acts which were above and beyond the call of duty; however, of the enlisted airmen, only 20 were awarded the Air Force Cross. Since 1975, only one airman has earned the award, bringing the total to 21 recipients. The following section consists of brief, chronological accounts of these airmen and the heroic events which led to their decoration.

[RoughDobermann]

Army Medal of Honor

[RoughDobermann]

Navy Medal of Honor

[Junior]

No, each branch of service has its own medal. Very similar, but different.

The medal designs are different, yes, but the award is identical. There is no such thing as an "Air Force Medal of Honor." There is only a Medal of Honor.

[i are a cowboy]

I always thought it was called the Congressional Medal of Honor.

[DWar]

http://foxfall.com/fmd-moh-usaf.htm

Air Force Medal of Honor
Establishing Authority

The Air Force Medal of Honor was established by Act of Congress (Public Law 86-593, 86th Congress, approved August 10, 1956).

Effective Dates

The Air Force Medal of Honor has been in effect since November 1, 1965.

Criteria

The Medal of Honor is awarded for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of one's life, above and beyond the call of duty. This gallantry must be performed either while engaged in action against an enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or, while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.

For award of the Medal of Honor there must be no margin of doubt or any possibility of error. To justify the award, a person must clearly render himself conspicuously above his comrades by an act so outstanding that it clearly distinguishes his gallantry as being beyond the call of duty. It must be the type of action which if not done would not leave him open to criticism, but must be done without detriment to his mission or to the command to which he is attached. Further, the recommendation must be submitted within three years of the act, and the medal must be awarded within five years of the act (there have, however, been exceptions to the rules governing the timing of recommendations and awarding the Medal of Honor).

Order of Precedence

The Medal of Honor is worn before all other decorations and medals. It is the highest honor that can be conferred on a member of the Armed Forces.

Devices

Additional awards of the Air Force Medal of Honor are denoted by oak leaf clusters.

Designer/Sculptor

The Air Force Medal of Honor was designed and sculpted by Lewis J. King, Jr. of the Army's Institute of Heraldry.

First Recipient

The first person to receive the Air Force Medal of Honor was Major Bernard F. Fisher, whose medal was presented to him on January 19, 1967, for heroism above and beyond the call of duty during the Vietnam War.

Description and Symbolism

Obverse

Within a wreath of laurel in green enamel, a gold-finished bronze five-pointed star, one point down, tipped with trefoils and each point containing a crown of laurel and oak on a background of green enamel. Centered upon the star is a ring of 34 stars surrounding a representation the head of the Statue of Liberty. The star is suspended by rings from a bar inscribed with the word VALOR above the adaptation of the thunderbolt from the Air Force coat of arms. This medal is adapted from the original Medal of Honor and was modified to provide a design unique for the Air Force.

Reverse

The reverse of the Air Force Medal of Honor is plain (for engraving the recipient's name).

Ribbon

The ribbon is a light blue moired silk neckband one and three sixteenths inches wide and twenty four inches long, behind a square pad in the center made of the ribbon with the corners turned in. Thirteen white stars are woven into the pad.

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

TYPES OF THE MEDAL OF HONOR

[dakine]

Thanks, I looked at the Air Force Awards and Decorations chart and calls the top one "Medal of Honor", I thought that there was only one "Medal of Honor" for all branches.

[RoughDobermann]

Yes, the award is identical ("He was awarded the CMH"), but like you said the physical medal if different for each branch.

[ArrogantBustard]

Valor: Strength of mind in regard to danger; that quality which enables a man to encounter danger with firmness; personal bravery; courage; prowess; intrepidity.

Here's to SGT John Chapman, and to all that august company who have breathed life into the simple word:Valor.