MV TSgt. John A. Chapman (AK-323) moored pierside at Military Ocean Terminal at Sunny Point, N.C., 8 April 2006 during renaming ceremony.
History
FranceFrance
NameMV CGM Utrillo
OwnerCompagnie Générale Maritime
Launched9 July 1977
FatePurchased in 1992 by American Automar, re-flagged US and renamed MV American Merlin
United StatesUnited States
NameMV American Merlin
OwnerAmerican Automar
Acquired1992
In serviceuntil late 2001 under long term lease as AK-323 MSC
Out of serviceReturned to her owners after completion of her MSC charter
ReinstatedAcquired by Sealift Inc and renamed MV Merlin
NotesMV American Merlin was assigned to Maritime Prepositioning Program Squadron Two and operated out of Diego Garcia
United States
NameMV TSgt John A. Chapman (AK-323)
NamesakeTechnical Sergeant John A. Chapman, from the 24th Special Tactics Squadron, killed March 4, 2002, while fighting against the Taliban during Operation Anaconda in Afghanistan. He was posthumously decorated with the nation’s second-highest award for valor, the Air Force Cross. In 2018, Chapman's Air Force Cross was upgraded to the Medal of Honor.[1]
OwnerSealift Inc
Acquired8 April 2005
Identification
FateScrapped 4 September 2014
General characteristics
Class and typeBuffalo Soldier class Container Roll-on/Roll-off Logistics Prepositioning Ship
Displacement26,378 long tons (26,801 t)
Length670 ft (200 m)
Beam87 ft (27 m)
Draft34 ft 6 in (10.52 m)
Speed16 kn (30 km/h)
Complement19 civilian, 0 military

MV TSgt John A. Chapman (T-AK-323) was a Buffalo Soldier-class container ship. She was one of Military Sealift Command's Prepositioning Program.

Built in 1978 by Chantier naval de La Ciotat in la Ciotat, France, she was originally named Merlin.[2] On 8 April 2005, she was renamed for Pope Air Force Base combat controller Technical Sergeant John A. Chapman, a posthumous Air Force Cross recipient. He was awarded the Air Force Cross for his actions during the Battle of Takur Ghar.[3][4] In 2018, Chapman's Air Force Cross was upgraded to the Medal of Honor.[5]

TSgt John A. Chapman carried Air Force munitions. She featured climate-controlled cocoons on her weather decks which protect additional cargo from the marine environment. She was owned and operated by Sealift Incorporated under charter to MSC.

She was scrapped on 4 September 2014 at Alang.[6]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Szoldra, Paul (April 20, 2018). "John Chapman To Be First Airman Since Vietnam To Receive Medal Of Honor". Task & Purpose. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  2. ↑ Gary P. Priolo (13 Sep 2009). "Service Ship Photo Archive". NavSource Online. Retrieved 16 Jan 2010. MV TSgt. John A. Chapman (AK-323) ex MV Merlin (AK-323), MV American Merlin (AK-9302)
  3. ↑ Becky J. LaRaia; Lisa Terry McKeown (8 April 2005). "Ship takes heroic legacy to the fight". US Air Force. Archived from the original on 12 December 2012. Retrieved 15 Jan 2010. SUNNY POINT, N.C. (AFPN) -- A fallen Air Force hero from Pope Air Force Base, N.C., was honored April 8 at the Military Ocean Terminal here. A Navy cargo ship was named for Air Force Cross recipient Tech. Sgt. John Chapman.
  4. ↑ Jason A. Neal (13 Jan 2003). "Pope combat controller awarded Air Force Cross". US Air Force. Archived from the original on 2012-12-12. Retrieved 15 Jan 2010. POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. (AFPN) -- Senior Air Force leaders awarded the Air Force Cross to Tech. Sgt. John Chapman here Jan. 10.
  5. ↑ Szoldra, Paul (April 20, 2018). "John Chapman To Be First Airman Since Vietnam To Receive Medal Of Honor". Task & Purpose. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  6. ↑ "Utrillo (7504639)". Miramar Ship Index. Retrieved 8 December 2020.


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