first on decorahnews.com: Decorah native David Chapman awarded Bronze Star for service in Afghanistan

On Tuesday, January 3, Army Chaplain (CPT) David M. Chapman, DHS class of 1983, was awarded a Bronze Star Medal for Meritorious Service at his battalion's end-of-tour award ceremony held on Camp Mike Spann in Regional Command North (RCN) Afghanistan.  Chaplain Chapman is serving as battalion chaplain for the 40th Engineer Battalion (Battering Rams) under the 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team deployed out of Baumholder, Germany in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.  Following a year-long deployment, his wife, Sarah Hover Chapman, also a DHS class of 1983 graduate and 1987 Luther College graduate, awaits his redeployment home to Baumholder, Germany; his return is expected early this year.  He is the son of the late Betty Coleman & the late Robert Chapman, both former Decorah residents; and he is the son-in-law of Charilyn & Ed Hover of Decorah.  

The Bronze Star Medal (BSM, or BSV with valor device) is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the U.S. Armed Forces and the ninth highest military award (including both combat and non-combat awards) in the order of precedence of U.S. military decorations.  The Bronze Star Medal is awarded only to service members in combat who are receiving imminent danger pay.


Pictured is David & Bronze Star II - Certificate which reads:

"For exceptional meritorious service as a Task Force Chaplain while deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. His outstanding performance, expertise, and dedication to duty greatly contributed to the success of the unit's mission. Captain Chapman's distinctive accomplishments reflect great credit upon himself, 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, and the United States Army."