The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to First Lieutenant (Infantry), [then Second Lieutenant] Herschel Eugene Chapman (ASN: 0-62471), United States Army, for heroic achievement as a member of Headquarters Company, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 17 and 18 May 1951 in the vicinity of Hangyo, Korea. On that date he was assistant operations officer with an infantry regiment engaged in a defensive operation against a fanatically determined and numerically superior enemy. Although enemy artillery fire was falling in his immediate vicinity, Lieutenant Chapman, with calm and confident attitude, remained at his post maintaining the necessary communications with front line elements and higher headquarters. During this time the operations tent was shredded by shrapnel and the clothes of Lieutenant Chapman were torn by flying metal, but he ably directed and coordinated the activities of his section efficiently. The gallant conduct displayed by Lieutenant Chapman on this occasion reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Soldier’s Medal
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Soldier’s Medal
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)Regiment:
20th Infantry RegimentDivision:
23d Infantry Division (Americal)Action Date:
Vietnam War
United States Military Academy Register of Graduates(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Soldier’s Medal to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Herschel Eugene Chapman, United States Army, for heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy of the United States while serving as a Battalion Commander in the 20th Infantry Regiment, Americal Division, in action against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam from 1968 to 1969. The exemplary courage and heroism displayed by Colonel Chapman reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
First Lieutenant (Infantry), [then Second Lieutenant]Batallion:
1st BattalionRegiment:
23d Infantry RegimentDivision:
2d Infantry DivisionAction Date:
February 1, 1951
Headquarters, 2d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 529 (September 19, 1951)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry), [then Second Lieutenant] Herschel Eugene Chapman (ASN: 0-62471), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Headquarters Company, (then Company B), 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, gallantry in action against the enemy on 1 February 1951 in the vicinity of Chipyong-ni, Korea. On that date Lieutenant Chapman’s platoon had the mission of attacking and seizing the high ground east of Chipyong-ni. As the platoon approached a steep, snow covered peak, it was suddenly subjected to heavy enemy fire. When the enemy succeeded in dispersing his men, Lieutenant Chapman, with complete disregard for his personal safety, moved under the intense enemy fire, gathering his men and organizing them into a series of firing lines. His outstanding leadership enabled the entire platoon to withdraw safely to the company’s sector. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by First Lieutenant Chapman, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)Action Date:
1966 – 1968
United States Military Academy Register of Graduates(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Herschel Eugene Chapman, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States with Headquarters, Continental Army Command, from 1966 to 1968. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Chapman and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army.
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Legion of Merit
United States Military Academy Register of Graduates(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel (Infantry) Herschel Eugene Chapman, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, Department of the Army, from 1969 to 1971. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Chapman and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)Regiment:
20th Infantry RegimentDivision:
23d Infantry Division (Americal)Action Date:
Vietnam War
United States Military Academy Register of Graduates(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Herschel Eugene Chapman, United States Army, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Battalion Commander in the 20th Infantry Regiment, Americal Division, in action against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam from 1968 to 1969. Colonel Chapman’s outstanding courage and dedication to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)Regiment:
20th Infantry RegimentDivision:
23d Infantry Division (Americal)Action Date:
1968 – 1969
United States Military Academy Register of Graduates(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Herschel Eugene Chapman, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as a Battalion Commander in the 20th Infantry Regiment, Americal Division, in action against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam from 1968 to 1969. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Chapman and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army.
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Legion of Merit
United States Military Academy Register of Graduates(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel (Infantry) Herschel Eugene Chapman, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States on the Staff and Faculty, Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, from 1973 to 1980. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Chapman culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and his dedicated contributions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.