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Evan's Reviews > Alone at Dawn: Medal of Honor Recipient John Chapman and the Untold Story of the World's Deadliest Special Operations Force
Alone at Dawn: Medal of Honor Recipient John Chapman and the Untold Story of the World's Deadliest Special Operations Force
by
by
I listened to this as an audiobook and did not want to stop listening. I have the utmost respect for John Chapman and the other Combat Controllers and other Special Operations Forces teams members mentioned in this book.
This book tells the history of Combat Controllers (1st half of book) and then the actions of Combat Controllers in the first months of the US military action in Afghanistan. It culminates with the story of John's death, Seal's teams inserting onto the summit of Takur Ghar and the subsequent rescue operation. I've never served, so I don't understand battle plans, but it seems like this incident was a tragic mistake. The US sought battle in Shahi-Kot Valley (Operation Anaconda) because there was a large force of al-Qaeda. From the book, it seems like LTC Blaber was in charge of the AOF, and did not want the Seal Teams inserted to their positions. However, CDR Timothy Szymanski said the teams really needed to get inserted late in the night (too close to dawn) when the operation was running late because of helicopter malfunctions. The leader of Chapman's and Roberts Seal Team even requested to delay insertion until the next night. The author makes it sounds like from LTC Blaber's perspective, the insertion was not necessary because the AOF Combat Controllers in place were providing the needed air support.
Regardless of why CDR Szymanksi ordered the seal teams to insert, it was a horrible decision that lead to the deaths of Chapman and Roberts and later 5 members of the Quick Reaction Force that came to the rescue of the Seal Team. When Chapman's helicopter crashed, he charged uphill to a protected machine gun bunker and killed the enemy soldiers who were firing on the uncovered Seal Team. He was wounded and left behind because the Team thought he was already dead. When the QRF team arrived to rescue the Seal Team, Chapman left his covered position in the bunker to provide cover for the helicopter's approach.
It is an amazing account of valor, courage and brotherhood. The conclusion, with impact on John's family and parents is heartbreaking.
This book tells the history of Combat Controllers (1st half of book) and then the actions of Combat Controllers in the first months of the US military action in Afghanistan. It culminates with the story of John's death, Seal's teams inserting onto the summit of Takur Ghar and the subsequent rescue operation. I've never served, so I don't understand battle plans, but it seems like this incident was a tragic mistake. The US sought battle in Shahi-Kot Valley (Operation Anaconda) because there was a large force of al-Qaeda. From the book, it seems like LTC Blaber was in charge of the AOF, and did not want the Seal Teams inserted to their positions. However, CDR Timothy Szymanski said the teams really needed to get inserted late in the night (too close to dawn) when the operation was running late because of helicopter malfunctions. The leader of Chapman's and Roberts Seal Team even requested to delay insertion until the next night. The author makes it sounds like from LTC Blaber's perspective, the insertion was not necessary because the AOF Combat Controllers in place were providing the needed air support.
Regardless of why CDR Szymanksi ordered the seal teams to insert, it was a horrible decision that lead to the deaths of Chapman and Roberts and later 5 members of the Quick Reaction Force that came to the rescue of the Seal Team. When Chapman's helicopter crashed, he charged uphill to a protected machine gun bunker and killed the enemy soldiers who were firing on the uncovered Seal Team. He was wounded and left behind because the Team thought he was already dead. When the QRF team arrived to rescue the Seal Team, Chapman left his covered position in the bunker to provide cover for the helicopter's approach.
It is an amazing account of valor, courage and brotherhood. The conclusion, with impact on John's family and parents is heartbreaking.
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