SSG Chapman was born in Charlotte, North Carolina on 11 May, 1965. He joined the Army in 1984, becoming and Airborne Infantryman. He was assigned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina until he transitioned to Aviation by attending the UH-60 tactical helicopter repair course. Upon completion of this training, he was assigned to Hanau, Germany. In 1989, he volunteered for service with the 160th, serving as a crew chief in Charlie Company, 1st Battalion.
He served in the maintenance platoon during Operation Just Cause, working many long and arduous hours repairing bullet-riddled aircraft to ensure they were ready to safely return to battle in just a few hours. After Panama, he became a crew chief and was assigned to Charlie Company’s 1st Flight Assault Platoon where he successfully served as a Fully Mission Qualified crew chief.
He was awarded the Air Medal with “V” device for his outstanding heroism on 21 February, 1991 while serving as a crew chief of an MH-60L Blackhawk helicopter during Operation Desert Storm in Southwest Asia. He crewed his aircraft at an extremely low altitude to evade the air defense artillery threat. While returning to the medical facility, his aircraft encountered a sandstorm and the pilots lost visual reference with the ground. His aircraft, #251, crashed and he selflessly gave his life for his country.
He was married to Merry Chapman and had one daughter, Sonja.
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