CHAPMAN, HARLAN PAGE

RIP  06 May 2024

Source: Compiled by Homecoming II Project 15 April 1990 from one or more of
the following: raw data from U.S. Government agency sources, correspondence
with POW/MIA families, published sources, interviews. Updated by the P.O.W.
NETWORK 2024.

REMARKS: 730212 RELSD BY DRV

SYNOPSIS: The Vought F8 "Crusader" saw action early in U.S. involvement in
Southeast Asia. Its fighter models participated both in the first Gulf of
Tonkin reprisal in August 1964 and in the myriad attacks against North
Vietnam during Operation Rolling Thunder. The Crusader was used exclusively
by the Navy and Marine air wings (although there is one U.S. Air Force pilot
shot down on an F8 - Will Abbott was an Air Force Captain on exchange duty
with the Navy and was flying F8's off the Carrier Oriskny (CVA 34) when he
was shot down in 1966. He retired from the Air Force as a Colonel and lives
in Alaska.) and represented half or more of the carrier fighters in the Gulf
of Tonkin during the first four years of the war. The aircraft was credited
with nearly 53% of MiG kills in Vietnam.

The most frequently used fighter versions of the Crusader in Vietnam were
the C, D, and E models although the H and J were also used. The Charlie
carried only Sidewinders on fuselage racks, and were assigned such missions
as CAP (Combat Air Patrol), flying at higher altitudes. The Echo model had a
heavier reinforced wing able to carry extra Sidewinders or bombs, and were
used to attack ground targets, giving it increased vulnerability. The Echo
version launched with less fuel, to accommodate the larger bomb store, and
frequently arrived back at ship low on fuel. The RF models were equipped for
photo reconnaissance.

The combat attrition rate of the Crusader was comparable to similar
fighters. Between 1964 to 1972, eighty-three Crusaders were either lost or
destroyed by enemy fire. Another 109 required major rebuilding. 145 Crusader
pilots were recovered; 57 were not. Twenty of these pilots were captured and
released. The other 43 remained missing at the end of the war.

Capt. Harlan P. Chapman was the pilot of an F8E sent on a combat mission
over North Vietnam on November 5, 1965. His flight route took him over Hai
Hung Province, where he was shot down about 5 miles east-northeast of the
city of Hai Duong.

For the next 7 1/2 years, Chapman was held in various prisoner of war camps,
including the infamous "Hanoi Hilton" complex in Hanoi. He was released in
the general prisoner release in 1973.

Since the war ended, nearly 10,000 reports relating to Americans missing,
prisoner or unaccounted for in Southeast Asia have been received by the U.S.
Government. Many authorities who have examined this largely classified
information are convinced that hundreds of Americans are still held captive
today. These reports are the source of serious distress to many returned
American prisoners. They had a code that no one could honorably return
unless all of the prisoners returned. Not only that code of honor, but the
honor of our country is at stake as long as even one man remains unjustly
held. It's time we brought our men home.

=========================

Among Chapman's awards and decorations is the Silver Star. Retiring from
the USMC as a Lt. Colonel in 1976, he returned to his native Ohio with his
family, where they have a real estate appraisal firm. Harley and Fran live
on the Lake Erie shore and enjoy sailing, hiking, racquet ball and skiing.
His son and 3 step children are now scattered across the country, so
traveling to visit kids and 4 grandkids are favorite destinations.

--------------------------
05/06/2016

============================

Task & Purpose Article The Marine who was held longest as a Vietnam POW has passed away Marine Lt. Col. Harlan Page Chapman died on May 6 at the age of 89. BY JEFF SCHOGOL | PUBLISHED MAY 10, 2024 5:06 PM EDT