Never heard of a Forward Air Controller putting his life on the line like that. A generation ago they used to just dig in right back from the edge of battle. Tech Sgt. John Chapman became the forward edge of battle. It makes me wish that God’s real Heaven could have a little bit of Valhalla to honor him.
Chapman was not a FAC. He was an Air Force Combat Controller. The Air Force equivalent to a Navy Seal. They have a 90-95% washout rate. Bad ass does not begin to describe them. Chapman’s MOH was held up because the Navy didn’t want it mentioned that he was left behind on the mountain. The AF Secretary started his AF Cross upgrade BECAUSE of his actions after he was mistakenly left behind. Interservice bickering is why it was held up. As far as I know there will be no mention in his MOH citation detailing his heroic actions fighting alone on the mountain, and if that’s the case it’s BS. Both Chapman and Slabinski deserved it. To hell with whatever general held it up.