Alone at Dawn: Medal of Honor Recipient John Chapman and the Untold Story of the World's Deadliest Special Operations Force

I'm a retired Air Force Combat Controller and am well acquainted with a number of the participants mentioned in the book. I was deployed to a Special Operations liaison cell at the time of this event. It's my opinion that the author did an outstanding job with tying in the story in an easy -to-follow manner with all the various events that ultimately led to John Chapman's fight to the death on top of that mountain. The book isn't solely about John Chapman even though he is the main focus, but gives a brief history of the beginnings of Combat Control as well, and as I mentioned earlier, the operations and battles along with the decision-making by the leadership that led up to that fateful battle. The general public for the most part not only has any idea who or what Combat Controllers are, but how versatile they must be, to be attached to any other special operations unit to include foreign SOF. I think this book does a simply amazing job of showcasing their capabilities as well as some of the unsung heroes attached to the events which are the focus of the book. Through the years regarding the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the Special Tactics community has lost a great many of their fellow brothers and there have also been a great many Combat Controllers through their heroic actions that have saved the teams they were attached to by their bravery under fire and their skillsets. I'm proud to have known a lot of these warriors during my time with the teams.

I’ve met two CCTs as a Marine and Contractor and they’re the most down to earth genuine guys I have ever had the pleasure to know. During the Surge in 06-07 Iraq we ran route clearance with an undermanned platoon that had zero sensory equipment above two jammers and a Wooly Mammoth on the lead vehicle.We had been out 4 days in 150 degree heat and 40 degree nights and we looked like we belonged under a bridge smoking meth out of lightbulbs.The chow hall in Balad was packed and we eat together no matter what but we couldn’t find a table until this surfer dude waves us over and he has the CCT patch and to us he’s a God.He cleared two tables of SF and SOTA bubbas and sat with us the entire time asking what he could do for us to improve our comms with Air Weapons and the Handcuff Charlie network.Nobody had ever asked us questions and taken notes like he had and you could tell he was genuine.I think his callsign was Shrek and we bumped in to him 3 months later after our relief and he remembered each one of us and asked after wives, gfs, and kids by name and number.I know most of this isn’t ground breaking but if you’re a Marine Infantryman you know you’re the dirt that holds up the totem pole in the eyes of the other branches.For him to remember our faces, names, spouses, etc, 90 days later only attributes to the Tier 1 level these Hitters operate on.I’m nothing special and I would give my right arm to have half the courage of John Chapman.To all the Pajamas and Chucks out there; a sincere thank you from a dime a dozen 03 for everything you’ve done and continue to do.

This was extremely well done. It covers so many interesting and necessary tangentially related stories. It focuses not just on John and his heroic actions but also on the fog of war and how a situation can devolve so badly so quickly. When covering the CCT pipeline, it skips the standard fare of other stories (I I I, me me me, BUDS is hard but I’m better) and focuses instead (and only briefly) on the skills taught which are vital to a controller’s success. The retelling of different CCT contributions in war are compelling and griping. The retelling of John Chapman’s life - and ultimately his death - is handled in a way befitting of someone with his grit and courage. I highly recommend this book to anyone even remotely interested in the chaos of early fighting in Afghanistan and in the contributions of airpower brought by CCT Airmen. This is a story that needed to be told.

Just finished... This is an unbelievable peek at some of the most professional, well trained and motivated men on the planet. It’s a riveting story from start to finish that will be one you don’t soon forget. A very skillfully written book that shines a light on a military career field that largely enjoys its place in the shadows. #quietprofessional #feartheantenna

The courageous actions of well trained special operators is a hallmark of the American special operations forces. They are on full display in Alone at Dawn. John Chapman, and his CCT brothers, take that that standard to the highest levels. Anaconda's command and control lash ups were touched upon and those poor decisions should have not happened with egos and service parochialism getting in the way. This should be explored in other books in a transparent way. Shilling's and Longfritz's story of John Chapman is a compelling read bringing readers directly into the 2002 battle especially in Chapman's last minutes. As a member of the earlier CCT generation, I am humbled by John Chapman and his CCT brothers, under the most difficult battlefield conditions, sorting out the Anaconda air battle and taking the fight to the enemy. Thank you Dan and Lori for publishing this long overdue story of the incredible valor of John Chapman.

The story of John “Chappy” Chapman and his CCT brotherhood is the story America has been waiting for. Dan Schilling brings to life the sights and smells of combat along with the complexities and frustrations of military bureaucracy even in the shadowy world of special operations. Alone at Dawn is a brilliantly written and powerful work that will rock you to the core.

This book is a primer on our Special Ops Warriors. Second it is a story of the arduous path both mentally and physically these individuals take to serve our country and humanity. It is also a story of the lesser known Special Ops Unit. Usually the US Air Force is not thought of as home for harden warriors on the ground with skill sets equal to their brothers in the sky. John Chapman and his teammates are standard bearers for Combat Controllers. This story is not over but continues “First There” as Combat Control Teams serve each day.

So we’ve probably all see the video footage on YouTube, but after reading this and then re-watching, it puts things into a completely different light.I knew these combat controllers existed, but I never in a million years realised the scope of what they do and what they have to attain to get there.As with all books of this nature, a good chunk of the start is building up, giving an insight into the roll of CCT and the people involved, but it’s worth it because when you get to the operation itself you have such an investment in the guys going into the thick of it.All of those guys were hero’s, but when you read about what John actually did, and try and understand what must have been going through his mind at the time, it is truly mind blowing.I can honestly say I have never had chills and a lump in my throat from reading a book before.Chapter 21 will leave you in utter disbelief and chalet 24 will have you welling up, guaranteed.You absolute have to read this book!!

Dont expect to want to out this down. Its is certainly not easy reading.. I like the fact the authors don't just linger on the events of the 48 hours but look at the lead events and the after. A quite outstanding human being, driven by his cause. I have read many special forces books mainly because of the mindset and lessons to be learned, there aren't many lessons to be learned in this book but its very interesting none the less.

Nothing to dislike.

What a man and a great story

Good book