Fallen Windsor Locks Soldier Subject Of New Book

WINDSOR LOCKS, CT - Sgt. John Chapman of the Air Force, a Windsor Locks native who died in Afghanistan in an effort to save the lives of his fellow soldiers, is the subject of an upcoming book. "Alone at Dawn" will be published by Grand Central Publishing June 25.

The book was written by 30-year special operations and Combat Control veteran, Dan Schilling, and focuses on "the astonishing true account of John Chapman, Medal of Honor recipient and Special Ops Combat Controller, and his heroic one-man stand during the Afghan War, as he sacrificed his life to save the lives of 23 comrades-in-arms."

Chapman was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor last year.

He graduated from Windsor Locks High School in 1983. In 1985, he joined the Air Force where he became an expert in reconnaissance operations, air traffic control and terminal attack control operations.

On March 4, 2002, he died in a battle in the Takur Ghar mountains. Chapman's aircraft was under heavy enemy fire by a rocket-propelled grenade. One of his teammates was ejected from the aircraft and the damaged helicopter landed in the valley bellow.

Chapman and other joint special operations team members ventured into the snowy mountains in an effort to save the stranded soldier.

The book's description reads: "John Chapman's incredible display of valor--first by saving the lives of his SEAL teammates and then, aware that he was mortally wounded, single-handedly engaging two dozen hardened fighters to save the lives of an incoming rescue squad--posthumously earned him the Medal of Honor. Chapman is the first airman in nearly fifty years to be given the distinction reserved for America's greatest heroes.

"Alone at Dawn is also a behind-the-scenes look at the Air Force Combat Controllers: the world's deadliest and most versatile special operations force, whose members must not only exceed the qualifications of Navy SEAL and Army Delta Force teams, but also act with sharp decisiveness and deft precision--even in the face of life-threatening danger."

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