Press Releases
08/22/2018
Gov. Malloy and Lt. Gov. Wyman: Sergeant John A. Chapman Represents the Best of Connecticut and the Nation
Windsor Locks Resident Posthumously Awarded the Medal of Honor
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy and Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman today said that United States Air Force Technical Sergeant John A. Chapman of Windsor Locks is a hero who represents the best of Connecticut and the United States. He is being posthumously awarded with the Medal of Honor at a ceremony this afternoon in the White House for the actions he took in 2002 while serving in Afghanistan that saved the lives of his teammates at the sacrifice of his own.
Sergeant Chapman was the first military member from Connecticut killed in combat following the attacks on September 11, 2001.
“Nobody is more deserving of the Medal of Honor than Sergeant Chapman – he is a hero who represents the best of Connecticut and the United States,” Governor Malloy said. “The actions that he took in Afghanistan to protect his teammates at the sacrifice of his own life are extraordinary and deserving of the highest respect of our nation. He will never be forgotten, and we will continue to honor his legacy.”
“Sergeant Chapman is truly an American hero, whose astonishing selfless story will be remembered with the Medal of Honor, the military’s highest honor,” Lt. Governor Wyman said. “On March 4, 2002, Air Force Technical Sergeant John Chapman made the ultimate sacrifice in service to his country and to save the lives of his brothers-in-arms. I’m proud that he was from Connecticut and that he represents the best and strongest of our military. My thoughts are with his family and friends as they accept this award in his honor.”
A photograph of Sergeant Chapman is permanently on display inside of the State Capitol complex in Hartford as part of the Connecticut Wall of Honor, a memorial to the members of the United States Armed Forces who gave their lives in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001.
Additional information about Sergeant Chapman’s life and legacy can be found on the Wall of Honor’s website.
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