Tech. Sergeant John Chapman MOH
 

Finally......

https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Disp...edal-of-honor/

Airman to be awarded Medal of Honor

https://www.newsweek.com/2018/05/18/...an-912343.html

The Newsweek article is certainly interesting. The politics of the "Brand".

The Takur Ghar battle is one filled with controversy that harms the reality that some very brave Men fought and many were wounded or killed in the process.

Several good accounts of the events that led to and culminated in the outcome it did have been published by those who were involved.

The courage of those who fought is not in doubt or question.....and anyone that attempts that should be condemned.

Mistakes were made, bad decisions made, and brave men died as a result.

I recommend the following Books for those who are not well acquainted with the Battles around Takur Ghar.

Searching for key words like Operation Anaconda, Takur Ghar, Roberts Ridge, and similar names yields a good starting point to begin your reading.


Roberts Ridge (ISBN 9780553803631) by Malcolm McPherson

Not A Good Day To Die (ASIN B000Q360E6) by Sean Naylor


http://ctnsp.dodlive.mil/files/2006/...n-Anaconda.pdf

The MOH is very much deserved.

I flew over Takur Ghar a couple of weeks after the battle, and the remains of Razor 01 were still visible. It would have been a horrific battlespace to fight in, and especially confining for the CAS he would have been calling in. Muchos respect!

Senior Airman Jason Cunningham was Killed In Action during the fight on Roberts Ridge.....and was awarded the Air Force Cross for his actions that day.

He had been seen on US Television prior to his deployment during his training as a Para-Rescueman.

After all of the aircraft losses Higher Command Authorities forbid any additional rescue attempts.

Cunningham bled to death before darkness arrived and rescue flights being allowed to route to the LZ.

Mis-communication between engaged units and supporting units including US Army Delta Force and Australian SAS Recon Teams having view of the LZ with various Head Quarter Commands resulted in a lengthy delay of the rescue flights that did finally reach the Wounded.

The Delta and SAS Recon Teams had good view of the LZ and were assisting by coordinating Air Strikes which were handicapped by the very close proximity of Friendly Forces and enemy forces.


https://taskandpurpose.com/unsung-he...rning-chinook/

SASLESS,

Some of the credit for the eventual outcome must also lie with Captain Nate Self, the QRF commander who by all accounts kept things together when they clearly not going to plan, mainly through exemplary leadership.

Absolutely.....he led from the front and exemplified the Motto....."Follow Me!".

Every Man on the ground that day deserves our admiration and respect....and the Helicopter Crews that were engaged.

If you read the various accounts carefully....it was the distant commanders in multiple locations far from the fight that caused the problems that led to a very bad situation.

Too many Cooks always spoil the Broth.



Ambush at Takur Ghar: Fighting for Survival in the Afghan Snow

Brave men, one and all. Fighting a battle with one hand behind their backs.

ORAC as you rightly say unbelievable courage total respect.