Shade Township near Stoystown in Somerset County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Master Sergeant John Chapman
Photographed by Bradley Owen, May 18, 2026
1. Master Sergeant John Chapman Marker
U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant John Chapman was born in Springfield, MA, on July 14, 1965. On September 27, 1985, he followed in his father's footsteps and enlisted in the USAF. Although he originally trained in information systems, he volunteered as a combat controller at Lackland and Pope Air Force Bases, and in Japan where he established himself as one of the best in the field. Chapman was a brilliant airman, experienced in static line and free fall jumping, combat diving, air traffic control and reconnaissance and terminal attack control operations. Chapman was a true family man and local hero, married to a Windber native and buried there. MSgt Michael West stated "...to the Air Force he was a great hero, what I saw was a great father." On March 4, 2002, Sergeant Chapman led a mission to Takur Ghar Mountain in Afghanistan. While preparing to drop from a helicopter onto the mountain top, his team was ambushed. The team landed a few miles away where they planned to rescue an officer who fell into enemy hands. During the rescue attempt, Chapman was critically injured, but fought on and ultimately saved the lives of many others as he gave his own. Chapman was awarded the Air Force Cross and was posthumously bestowed the Medal of Honor by President Trump on August 22, 2018 and promoted to the rank of Master Sergeant.
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Shanksville-Stonycreek High School
Erected 2021 by Patriot Park Foundation.
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, Afghanistan. In addition, it is included in the Medal of Honor Recipients series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 4, 2002.
Location. 40° 5.061′ N, 78° 53.451′ W. Memorial is near Stoystown, Pennsylvania, in Somerset County. It is in Shade Township. It can be reached from Lincoln Highway (U.S. 30) 0.2 miles west of Johnson Bottom Road (Local Route 730), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 6150 Lincoln Highway, Stoystown PA 15563, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this memorial is in Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Warrior Dog (here, next to this marker); Sergeant First Class Alwyn Crendall Cashe (here, next to this marker); Afghanistan Fallen Heroes (here, next to this marker); Cambria County, Pennsylvania Hometown Heroes (here, next to this marker); 1st Battalion 109th Infantry Regiment Pennsylvania Army National Guard (here, next to this marker); Field of Heroes Flag Display (a few steps from this marker); Flight 93 National Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Tower of Voices (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Stoystown.
Photographed by Bradley Owen, May 18, 2026
2. Master Sergeant John Chapman Marker
Marker is on the left.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 16, 2026, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 16, 2026, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.
