Governor

Ceremony Honors Late Air Force Master Sergeant From Windsor Locks

An Air Force master sergeant from Windsor Locks who was credited with saving the lives of service members on a mountain in Afghanistan in 2002 was honored during a ceremony on Sunday.

Gov. Dannel Malloy and Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman participated in a ceremony honoring U.S. Air Force Technical Master Sergeant John A. Chapman in his hometown of Windsor Locks.

Chapman's mother, Terry, and his sister, Lori, helped unveil a memorial for him outside of Memorial Hall.

"I think it's a special day because these are his people. He grew up here and it's like one big family," said Terry.

Sunday's ceremony was an opportunity for Chapman's friends and family, as well as veterans groups and state and local officials to honor his service and acknowledge his national recognition.

Both Terry and Lori traveled to the White House last month where Chapman was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor by President Trump at a ceremony. After he was awarded the Medal of Honor, he was posthumously promoted to Master Sergeant, according to the U.S. Air Force.

Chapman's helicopter came under heavy fire and crash-landed in a valley in Afghanistan on March 4, 2002. Chapman and other team members returned to the snow-capped mountain to rescue a stranded service member.

The White House said Chapman "charged into enemy fire through harrowing conditions," seized a bunker and killed its occupants. He was severely wounded in an ensuing firefight but continued to fight until he was killed.

Chapman, who joined the Air Force in 1985, was 36 years old when he died.

"Great Americans are produced in a great nation that never forgets the sacrifices that came before us," Gov. Dannel Malloy said.

Now, 16 years after his death, many here still fondly recall his days as a star athlete at Windsor Locks High School. Chapman's everlasting bravery and compassion is remembered by his family, friends, politicans and military members.

"I feel honored to be around them. To me, they're a whole different breed of people. And the fact that they came out here to honor John just means so much to me," Lori said.

The community has also found other ways to recognize Chapman including a plaque at the high school and a street named after him. 

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