Medal of Honor Nominee John Chapman Is Getting a Film About His Life
In 2002, John Chapman survived alone on top of Roberts Ridge through a cold Afghan night, fending off assaults by...
In 2002, John Chapman survived alone on top of Roberts Ridge through a cold Afghan night, fending off assaults by the Taliban single-handedly. He sacrificed his life to provide cover for a Chinook full of Rangers who were about to set down inside of a Taliban killbox.
After much infighting and investigation, it appears that Chappy may finally be awarded the Medal of Honor. His medal citation is based on drone footage that was analysed by forensics investigators, making it the first Medal of Honor awarded without eyewitness proof of his heroic deeds. Now his heartbreaking and incredible story is being turned into a feature film.
U.S. Air Force
A book being written about Chapman’s exploits, ”The Controller: Medal of Honor Recipient John Chapman and the World’s Deadliest Special Operations Force” by Dan Schilling and Lori Longfritz has been optioned by Thruline entertainment. Among the series produced by Thruline, notable ones include 8 seasons of the USA channels hit TV show “Psych” and “I Love You, America” on Hulu.
“We are honored to be the trustees of John Chapman’s story,” producer Ron West toldDeadline. “His life as a husband and father was as touching as his valor in combat. Dan and Lori are providing us with incredible architecture from which to create this film and I can’t think of a better screenwriter than Michael [Gunn] to bring his story to life.”
The writer of the upcoming book, Dan Shilling, was like Chapman, a Air Force Combat Controller. Shilling was on the ground during the Battle of Mogadishu, the source of the acclaimed book and film of the same title “Black Hawk Down.” He went on to write the “The Battle of Mogadishu: Firsthand Accounts From the Men of Task Force Ranger” in 2005.
A 1992 photo assumed to be of CCT Dan ShillingDan Shilling
As Chapman’s heroic actions on that cold mountain in Afghanistan continue to come to light, it seems that his story will not be forgotten or buried. No matterhow muchsome may want to.
A enlisted thinktank brought to you by Task & Purpose