The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Colonel [then Major] Harlan Page Chapman (MCSN: 0-71437), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while interned as a Prisoner of War in Southeast Asia from November 1965 to November 1969. Despite harsh treatment from the time of his capture and long periods of solitary confinement, Lieutenant Colonel Chapman refused to cooperate with his captors, and actively participated in establishing and maintaining a prisoner organization and communications system. Although subjected to extreme cruelties for days at a time, he exerted himself in a positive leadership role and displayed examples of resistance for his fellow prisoners to emulate. By his strict adherence to the Code of Conduct and mindful of hostile acts against those who exerted leadership amongst the prisoners, Lieutenant Colonel Chapman’s courage and professionalism reflected great credit upon himself, the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. (Lieutenant Colonel Chapman is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Bronze Star Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Lieutenant Colonel [then Captain]Batallion:
All Weather Fighter Squadron 212 (VF(AW)-212)Division:
U.S.S. Oriskany (CVA-34)Action Date:
November 5, 1965
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel [then Captain] Harlan Page Chapman (MCSN: 0-71437), United States Marine Corps, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a jet fighter-bomber aircraft attached to and serving with Marine All Weather Fighter Squadron TWO HUNDRED TWELVE (VF(AW)-72), embarked in U.S.S. ORISKANY (CVA-34), during an air strike on the Hai Duong, North Vietnam railroad and highway bridge on 5 November 1965. After a perilous, long, high-speed low-level approach through heavy enemy defenses to that important and well-defended target deep within enemy territory, Lieutenant Colonel Chapman was called upon to face the enemy anti-aircraft fire while it was most intense. As pilot of the last aircraft of a major strike group of 32 strike aircraft on target, he bravely and skillfully maneuvered his aircraft, in spite of the intense and lethal anti-aircraft fire, dived on the target, and delivered his bombs on the bridge. His aircraft was observed pulling off target and exploding in the air as the result of direct hits from the lethal enemy fire. He was then observed descending in his parachute, apparently unhurt, into a densely populated and heavily defended area adjacent to Hai Duong. Lieutenant Colonel Chapman’s airmanship, great personal risk, and courageous conduct in the face of heavy enemy fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Lieutenant Colonel [then Major]Division:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
November 1970 – February 1973
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Colonel [then Major] Harlan Page Chapman (MCSN: 0-71437), United States Marine Corps, for meritorious achievement while interned as a Prisoner of War in Southeast Asia from November 1970 to February 1973. During this period, in an environment of enemy harassment and hostility, Lieutenant Colonel Chapman continuously conducted himself in an exceptional and distinctive manner. His superior leadership abilities in the face of adversity were a source of strength to his fellow prisoners of war and contributed greatly to unity of purpose and inspired morale among all the prisoners. Through his ceaseless efforts, stabilizing presence, and strength of character, he contributed materially to the capability of the prisoner of war organization to resist efforts taken by Vietnamese captors to exploit his fellow prisoners of war. By his professionalism, courage, and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Colonel Chapman reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service and the United States Marine Corps. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Lieutenant Colonel [then Major]Division:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
March 1966 – June 1969
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Colonel [then Major] Harlan Page Chapman (MCSN: 0-71437), United States Marine Corps, for heroic achievement while interned as a Prisoner of War in Southeast Asia from March 1966 to June 1969. In a display of sheer courage and unusual ingenuity, Lieutenant Colonel Chapman established the groundwork for a highly effective system of intracamp communications. During March and April of 1966, he was subjected to extreme cruelties for communicating, but was not deterred from his project. Through the effective system of camp communications, which he established and maintained, Lieutenant Colonel Chapman and his fellow prisoners were better able to coordinate and solidify their resistance efforts and frustrate their captors’ attempts to attain dominance over them. Heedless of he potential danger to his well-being and disregarding the punishment to which he was subjected, Lieutenant Colonel Chapman performed in a vital area which clearly demonstrated his sense of dedication to duty and concern for the welfare of his fellow POW’s. By his steadfast devotion and high degree of professionalism, Lieutenant Colonel Chapman reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service and the United States Marine Corps. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
November 5, 1965 – February 12, 1973
Lieutenant Colonel Harlan Page Chapman (MCSN: 0-71437), United States Marine Corps, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from November 5, 1965 until his release on February 12, 1973.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Lieutenant Colonel [then Major]Division:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
July 1966 – October 1967
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel [then Major] Harlan Page Chapman (MCSN: 0-71437), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in Southeast Asia, from July 1966 to October 1967. Despite extreme cruelties during interrogation periods and severe maltreatment on a continual basis, Lieutenant Colonel Chapman distinguished himself by his indomitable spirit and dogged tenacity. Refusing to provide the enemy with information, even that of a biographical nature, he aroused the increased wrath of his captors. By his steadfast determination, devotion to duty, and adherence to the Code of Conduct, Lieutenant Colonel Chapman knowingly brought harsher treatment upon himself. Disregarding his own personal safety and well-being in order to remain loyal to the united States and to set an example for his fellow prisoners, he illustrated a high degree of professionalism under the most adverse of conditions. Lieutenant Colonel Chapman’s exemplary performance reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.