Alone at Dawn

by Dan Schilling and Lori Chapman Longfritz

Overview: Alone at Dawn is the riveting true story of Medal of Honor recipient John Chapman and his journey to becoming part of the Air Force’s most prestigious and lethal Special Operations Command group, the Combat Controllers (CCTs). The story builds up to the start of Operation Anaconda, America’s first major operation in the Global War on Terror. Additionally, readers get a rare glimpse into the world of Combat Controllers, as the author shares the training pipeline of how to become part of the elite team. Along with the evolution of the need for CCTs in battle, there are multiple stories and accounts of CCTs in action to supplement the nearly impossible training pipeline. Embedded throughout the book is the story of CCT TSgt John Chapman, (callsign “Chappy”). The book brilliantly lays out the world of CCTs and how Chapman collides with it as the first Medal of Honor recipient since the Vietnam War. 

The book is divided into three sections. First, Evolution provides the foundational knowledge of the world of CCTs, and the audience meets John Chapman. Second is Anaconda, which provides a chronological story of the Battle of Takur Ghar, as you see many characters from the first section overlapping and interacting together. Lastly, Aftermath explains the years following the death of John Chapman, including a glimpse of his lasting legacy.

• Part I: Evolution, starts out in July 1966, with a picture of the Secret War in Laos. Right away author Dan Schilling exposes readers to a CCT in battle and highlights his role to illustrate the significance and vitalness of a Combat Controller in the most dangerous scenarios. Since their creation after World War I, CCTs exist as the underappreciated but crucial part of every special forces team. Schilling brings up multiple pivotal war moments in history that required the work of a CCT, but explains how the position was not prioritized for a long time due to the belief that the need for it would disseminate.
  • Author Dan Schilling describes the CCT pipeline training as the most challenging of all the special forces. Why do you think they lack the reputation that the Navy SEALS or Army Rangers have?
  • What factors caused the idea that the CCT would be a position that would not be needed in the future?
  • The book mentions a number of different wars that CCTs were involved in since WWI. Given what you know and understand about each war, in which do you think the role of a CCT was most crucial? Why?
  • Looking at the descriptions of John Chapman's early life, were there any indicators that he would end upa war hero? Are there any common character traits amongst military heroes that you can think of?
• Part II: Anaconda, includes chapters eight through twenty-three, the biggest section of the book, which walks chronologically through the events of Operation Anaconda, America’s first major operation in the Global War on Terror. Between the extreme cold climate conditions and high elevations, the Special Forces teams were challenged. Multiple background stories and characters collide during this section, as the reader sees how all are intertwined. Additionally, the story reveals multiple details that bring to light some of the issues and problems that emphasize the complexity of war. Furthermore, John Chapman comes into play at a critical time. After Schilling sets the stage, a helicopter inserts Chapman and a team of SEALs at the top of Takur Ghar mountain to take on Al Qaeda insurgents. There were three helicopter insertion attempts at the same location near the summit of the mountain, all of which were met by direct enemy fire. During the first, SEAL Neil C. Roberts fell off the helicopter’s open ramp and into the hands of the enemy. The follow on missions were to rescue Roberts and tell the tale of Chapman, his heroics, and eventual death. In total, seven Americans died through the entire operation.
  • There were a number of controversial pieces of information presented concerning the execution of Operation Anaconda. What lessons can be gleaned despite not having all the answers?
  • Accepting the imperfect knowledge of the moment—ignoring the 20/20 hindsight—what lessons did you learn about making decisions in the fog of war?
  • If you haven’t done so already, take a few minutes to watch the footage of John Chapman’s actions captured by the CIA Predator Drone. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oKMjTqdTYo) What are your reactions to the video? Does anything surprise you seeing the footage after reading the story?
• Part III: Aftermath, tells the saddening story of the notification team arriving to inform John’s mother, Terry and another team to tell John’s wife, Valerie of the incident. Schilling also explains how Chapman’s Air Force Cross eventually got upgraded to the Medal of Honor. After years of investigations and gathering evidence, on August 22, 2018 President Trump awarded Valerie the Medal of Honor.
  • What were your reactions to the way that John Chapman got upgraded to a Medal of Honor? If Secretary James never would have asked the question about what it takes to become a Medal of Honor recipient, do you think John Chapman would have received one?
  • How difficult should an award of the Medal of Honor be? Historically, how difficult has it been?
  • What were your overall reactions to the book? How should the public respond to this book?