--- title: "Jake Gyllenhaal cast as Medal of Honor recipient John Chapman in ‘Combat Control’" description: "With Extraction director Sam Hargrave set to direct, Combat Control will tell the story of the late Medal of Honor recipient John Chapman." date: "2021-03-25" modified: "2021-03-25" authors: - name: "Shannon Corbeil" job_title: "Contributor, Air Force Veteran" link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/scorbeil/" url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-movies/jake-gyllenhaal-cast-as-john-chapman/" categories: - "Entertainment" - "Movies and TV" --- # Jake Gyllenhaal cast as Medal of Honor recipient John Chapman in ‘Combat Control’ ![john chapman]() With *Extraction* director Sam Hargrave set to direct, *Combat Control* will tell the story of the late Medal of Honor recipient John Chapman. Based on the book *Alone at Dawn* by Dan Schilling and Lori Chapman Longfritz, the film tells the true story of Air Force Combat Control Technician Chapman, who was killed in action on March 4, 2002 in Afghanistan. It would take another 16 years before he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. ![Jake Gyllenhall will be playing Chapman]() *Jake Gyllenhaal was cast to play Chapman* Schilling, who was also a Combat Control Technician within Air Force special operations, will serve as a military advisor for the film. In March 2002, in conjunction with Operation Anaconda, Chapman was tasked to establish observation posts in strategic locations in Afghanistan. Chapman and his reconnaissance team were ordered to Takur Ghar to report al Qaeda movement in the Shi-Kowt area. “This was a very high profile, no-fail job, and we picked John,” [said retired Air Force Col. Ken Rodriguez](), Sergeant Chapman’s commander at the time. “In a very high-caliber career field, with the highest quality of men – even then – John stood out as our guy.” During the initial insertion onto the Takur Ghar mountaintop, Chapman and his team were ambushed when an RPG struck their Chinook, throwing Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Neil Roberts into enemy territory. The crew managed to perform a controlled crash landing and began a rescue mission in a second MH-47 for Roberts, drawing heavy enemy fire. In the battle that commenced, Chapman repeatedly maneuvered himself to protect his team, even at his own risk. He was struck and critically wounded by gunfire but continued to fight for over an hour before he died. His actions saved the lives of his teammates, who remember him for his selflessness and his valor. Chapman was originally awarded the Air Force Cross for his actions, but was recommended for an upgrade to the Medal of Honor. In 2018, he finally received the recognition he deserved and, in accordance with Air Force policy whereby Medal of Honor recipients are promoted one grade, he was posthumously promoted to the rank of master sergeant. [Six other service members lost their lives]() during the Battle of Takur Ghar: Petty Officer 1st Class Neil Roberts – U.S. Navy SEAL Senior Airman Jason Cunningham – U.S. Air Force pararescue Corporal Matthew Commons – U.S. Army Ranger Sergeant Bradley Crose – U.S. Army Ranger Specialist Marc Anderson – U.S. Army Ranger Sergeant Philip Svitak – U.S. Army 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment ## Author Shannon Corbeil has worked for We Are The Mighty as a digital video producer, writer, and host, as well as a staff writer covering military history, trivia, and valor. Shannon is a fierce veteran advocate, covering the achievements of members of the military community and volunteering in multiple veteran non-profit organizations, including Pin-Ups for Vets and Warriors for Peace Theatre. Her undergraduate degree is in Humanities and Philosophy and her Masters is in Strategic Intelligence. A screenwriter and actor recently seen on SEAL TEAM and THE ROOKIE, Shannon writes about exciting projects in the entertainment industry. She is an alum of the Writers Guild Foundation Veterans Writing Project, a Finalist in the Disney TV Writing Fellowship, an inaugural fellow for the STARZ/VME #TakeTheLead Program, and has performed at the Geffen Playhouse and Kennedy Center as a writer, dancer, singer, and actor. As a U.S. Air Force Intelligence Officer, Shannon supported the 25th Fighter Squadron at Osan Air Base, South Korea, and conducted Cyber Threat Analysis at the National Security Agency. Her work has been seen in Business Insider, Task & Purpose, Military.com, and various other publications. ### Author social links [Facebook]() [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()