[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".

[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.

[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.

[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.

[harpseal]

FYI

[centurion316]

I hope Fox News did not really say this, but given the extraordinary ignorance of things military by their production support people; they probably did. They are my favorite news program, but they drive me up the wall calling Lieutenant Generals "Lieutenant" and other such gaffs. Just not professional.

Technical Sergeant John Chapman has been awarded the Air Force Cross, not the Medal of Honor. The Air Force Cross is the second highest award for valor. This is not to denigrate his heroic acts, or his supreme sacrifice, just trying to get the story straight.

[OneLoyalAmerican]

Greeting DWar, FReepers, et al: Everytime we proudly salute the USA flag, we honor the sacrifice of America's heros.

Red reminds us an American patriot's blood spilled for our freedom.

White reminds us tears were shed by an American family, when that precious blood spilled for our freedom.

Lest we never forget the priceless maintenance costs for the first flag of free people.

[Taxman]

Bravo Zulu, Sergeant.

May God Bless his family, and may his children grow up knowing their daddy was a real hero.

[Electron Wizard]

It is a military tradition to render a hand salute when encountering someone wearing the Medal of Honor. This is done irregardless of rank.

[Happy2BMe]

"While under fire he attacked and secured an enemy machine gun position and immediately began attacking another."

Thank God for such men as Sgt. John Chapman.

"No greater love hath any man, than he should lay down his life for another."

Was John Chapman killed in the battle where John Walker (Taliban Johnnie) was captured?

[fnord]

Semper Fi bump

[Steve Van Doorn]

My step father Aubry Johnson earned the flying cross in Vietnam for giving ground cover for a fellow downed pilot and the rescue team even after he was hit. He was one of the few to earn this medel and live to tell it.

[commish]

My utmost respect to TSgt Chapman. He gave the ultimate so others may live.

Commish - USAF 1981-present

[TEXASPROUD]

Air Force Cross "Ping".

[Vic3O3]

ping!

[desertcry]

SGT Chapman paid the ultimate price for our Freedom, and our right to life and our pursuite of happiness willingly.
My prayers for the repose of his soul, and for his wife, and his 2 beauiful little girls. A true unselfish hero indeed.

[Travis McGee]

I hope his daughters grow up understanding that their daddy was a hero who died fighting for his entire American family.