Dan Schilling
I did not want to write this book. Having retired from the military in September 2016, I was interested in spending time with my wife, writing fiction, and skiing and climbing mountains, roughly in that order. So when my friend and fellow CCT Kyle Stanbro approached me a week into retirement about helping Lori write John’s story I turned him down, agreeing only to help her shape a proposal and connect her with my agent. However, thirty years of military service taught me that missions often come our way whether we feel prepared for them or not. Over the next two weeks I realized I was in the unique position not only to write John’s story but also to share the remarkable stories of his Combat Control brothers, of whom I am fortunate to count myself among their ranks. So I called Lori back and told her I’d commit myself fully to the project, which turned out to be two full years of effort. The result is this book.
To Lori: Thank you for trusting me with John’s legacy and working together over those two years. It was a momentous occasion to witness John’s Medal of Honor ceremony in the White House, and as I looked across his many friends and family in attendance, I was happiest for you. I extend my thanks to John’s entire family for their faith in me to help Lori bring John’s life to the public. To Valerie Novak Chapman Nessel, who survived the loss not only of John but also her next husband, and whom I think of as a dear friend, thank you for your trust and openness. You inspire so many with your indomitable spirit.
I’d like to thank the following CCT whom I interviewed while writing this book. I apologize that so many amazing stories of your prowess and courage failed to make it onto the pages; there simply was not enough room in this particular volume. Some are my mentors, others fellow veterans of combat operations, and a few I feel privileged to have instructed at the Combat Control School, but all are brothers. Any mistakes that may appear in these pages are my fault alone. In no particular order: Jay Hill, Andy Martin, Gabe Brown, Mike Stockdale, Mike Lamonica, Jeff George, Joe O’Keefe, Calvin Markham, Ben Miller, Dink Dalton, David Netterville, Mike Lampe, Wayne Norrad (who, along with his lovely wife, Tracy, has always provided a home away from home, exceptional wine, and cigars at Hurlburt), Jim Hotaling, Bob Bieber, Jack Teague, Gene Adcock, Bob Azeltine, Chris Baradat, Bart Decker, Ron Mann, Alan Yoshida, Don Stevens, Bruce Dixon, Ed Priest, Dave Gendron, Greg Pittman, Mike Snyder, Joe Maynor, Bruce Barry, Pat Elko, John Wylie, Phil Freeman, Scott Light, Kyle Stanbro, John Koren, Tony Travis, Mike Bain. The following STOs were also interviewed and/or contributed: John Carney, Ken Rodriguez, Mike Martin, Spence Cocanour, Mike Fazio. Thanks to the STOs and CCT who wished to remain anonymous and anyone I’ve failed to list. Thanks also to PJ Keary Miller and Mike Rizzuto (who single-handedly runs the 724th STG).
There were many who were involved in Operation Anaconda and/or the investigation of John’s actions who assisted me. Pete Blaber, friend, former Delta commander, and leader of AFO in Anaconda, thanks for your insight and honest input. The same goes for Delta officers Jimmy Reese and Tom DiTomasso (fellow veteran of Operation Gothic Serpent); Delta operator “Ironhead,” one of the great operators I’ve known; AC-130 pilot D. J. Turner; and sensor operator Chris Walker. Greg Daly, friend and former commander of the Australian Special Air Service Regiment, thanks for the Aussie perspective.
To STO Mike Wendelken, who dedicated nearly two years to the investigation of John’s actions and who knows more about that time than anyone else, special thanks for your commitment to the truth and constant willingness to be interrupted with last-minute questions as I researched the events for myself. Also thanks to STO Kyle Whittier and public affairs officers Katrina Cheesman and Jackie Pienkowski at the 24th Special Operations Wing, and AFSOC public affairs officer Pete Hughes for critical assistance in gaining official USAF approval to conduct research. To Tim Brown at the historian’s office and Dr. Forrest Marion at the Air Force Historical Research Agency. Dan Chykirda at DoD Prepublication and Security Review marshaled the manuscript through the review process needed for a book of this nature. Thanks to former JAG Mike Smidt for his expertise on esoteric classification matters.
At Grand Central: Ben Sevier, publisher of Grand Central, who personally acquired and then edited our book, thanks for immediately recognizing the value of this story and your no-nonsense approach in shaping it. I’m very grateful for your commitment despite many demands on your time. Jonathan Valuckas and Elizabeth Kulhanek in Ben’s office for coordinating efforts. Brian McLendon, Joseph Benincase, Karen Torres, and Amanda Pritzker for their expertise in marketing and sales, the backbone of a book’s success. Matthew Ballast, Jimmy Franco, Brittany Lowe, and Alli Rosenthal in publicity for promoting the book across America. Our senior production editor, Mari Okuda, copy editor, Rick Ball, and proofreaders Kristin Roth Nappier and Kristin Vorce Duran corrected much and smoothed all. Thanks to Elece Green and Ghenet Harvey for the audio version production, and to Jeffrey L. Ward for creating the maps.
Exceptional author Jim DeFelice, on whom I originally attempted to foist this project and who told me unequivocally, “No. You need to write this,” thanks for your mentorship, feedback, and steadfast belief (also cigars). To the honorable Debbie James, former secretary of the Air Force, thank you for starting John’s medal on its journey and facing down all opposition.
My agents Larry Weissman and Sascha Alper, thanks for all your career management, encouragement, and expertise, especially Larry’s demand that I stop all else and write this book. You are both more friends than agents.
Finally, my wife, Julie, who served as my first editor, believes in my writing, and always said yes when I’d announce, “Well, they’re asking me to do this one more thing…” You are the center of my existence and words cannot express my love and admiration.
Lori Chapman Longfritz
Above all, I want to thank my husband, Kenny Longfritz, for your patience, support, and encouragement. Without you, I may not have had the confidence to finally take the first step after years of hesitation. You have been my untiring sounding board and confidant. When I had doubts, you were there to push me onward, and when we learned more of the truth, you shared my pain, wiped my tears, and soothed my anger. You knew John as his First Sergeant and know him better now as family. He brought us together, and now, because of you, I can share John’s heroism and legacy with the world. I love you!
Thanks to my son, John Chapman Longfritz, for understanding in your adolescent brain that I needed to spend time behind closed doors. My hope is that this book will help you understand more about your uncle and why it is such an honor for you to be his namesake. I love you to infinity and beyond! Rachel McQueeney Smith, my smart daughter, thank you for your support and for reminding me that it’s okay to say “No” to my littles when they wanted to see me. It’s hard to deny them anything! I love you all to the moon and back!
Thank you, Ben Goettler and Kyle Stanbro, for stepping forward to help as only CCT can. Though none of us knew what the hell we were doing, you were willing to muddle through figuring out how to write and publish a book with me. We were essentially the blind leading the blind, until Kyle’s lunch with Dan “to catch up” turned into something bigger than any of us could have foreseen! Were it not for you two, Alone at Dawn would never have been written.
What can I say, Dan Schilling?! When you offered to help, I immediately trusted the pairing because in addition to being a published author, you were Combat Control. My original book idea morphed into a masterpiece because of your vision to include Combat Control; you understand what it takes to become the most lethal human weapon in our military arsenal, and you therefore brought a more dynamic military narrative to the book. You tirelessly gathered information I didn’t even know existed and your guidance and encouragement were selfless: Though you penned our military narrative, you also encouraged my newfound joy of editing. Thank you for putting your retired life with Julie on hold to commit two years and counting to this book! I am happy to call you my friend and wish you nothing but continued success in your future writing projects! Julie Schilling, thank you for graciously postponing your life plans with Dan. Your support and interest in John’s story means so very much. Dan owes you a really long vacation!
Mike Wendelken: You are an amazing man and humble hero whose brain works on a level way above my comprehension. For two years you painstakingly stitched together two videos of the battle on Takur Ghar. The end result uncovered the facts of the battle, and revealed John’s heroism to his last breath. Without you, your team, and your collective determination, the absolute truth may never have become known. I thank you from the bottom of my heart, along with Wolfe Davidson, Mike Martin, Bruce Dixon, and so many others who helped prove John’s actions.
Many thanks to our literary agents, Larry Weissman and Sascha Alper of Larry Weissman Literary LLC. Your dedication in helping us create a powerful and dynamic book proposal, coupled with your invaluable creative ideas and absolute enthusiasm for John’s story, resulted in our book being picked up by the best publisher we could hope to have. Thank you for believing in us and for all you’ve done in the representation and promotion of us and our book.
Heartfelt thanks to Ben Sevier, publisher at Grand Central Publishing, for your expertise and belief in Dan and me! You immediately understood the importance of telling this story, took on our project, and offered sage insight into the direction and composition of Alone at Dawn. That guidance helped us focus more narrowly, resulting in the page-turning truth of what really happened on Takur Ghar, while offering a fine-tuned glimpse into Combat Control.
I have so much appreciation for Grand Central Publishing and those who were part of this journey. Elizabeth Kulhanek, as Ben’s assistant, you were always available to help me. Senior director of publicity, Jimmy Franco, you calmed my nerves and helped me focus on how to represent myself and our book. Matthew Ballast, publicity director, and publicity assistants Brittany Lowe and Alli Rosenthal were instrumental in coordinating how our book was promoted. Dear editors and proofreaders, especially Rick Ball and Mari Okuda, thank you for your expertise and your research to confirm every detail. I know there are many others I’ve not met who have helped Alone at Dawn be the best book possible, including Flag, Kristen Lemire, Tom Louie, Sean Ford, Dan Lynch, and Laura Eisenhard, and I thank you all!
Kevin Chapman and Connie Russo, Tammy and David Klein: Your encouragement was priceless to me. Tess Chapman (my stepmom), through your recollections and Dad’s letter to the 24 STS after John died, I was able to shed light on some very important stories. Thank you for being willing to relive those memories! I wish Dad were here to read the truth, but he already knows now, doesn’t he? Valerie Nessel, you were open to sharing your precious memories of your time with John—even the difficult ones—and I am grateful for that. And Madison, though you were so very young when your dad gave his life, what you did remember was valuable! I love you all!
There are many members of the Special Tactics family who were gracious enough to spend time sharing memories and laughs about Chappy. Special thanks to: Tony Baldwin, Randy Blythe, Kurt Buller, Ron and Ann Childress, Steve Coronato, Bruce Dixon, Rob Donlan, Pat Elko, Bob Holmes, Mike Lamonica, Kenny Longfritz, Wayne Norrad, Ken Rodriguez, Billy Sasser, Jeremy Shoop, Summa Stelly, Mike West, and Travis Woodworth. Every word, every memory helps, whether in this book, in another, or in my heart. I am happy to share John with you and grateful that you are willing to share your memories with me. To you and every member of our military, past, present, and future, thank you for your service!
John’s hometown friends: You gave me your precious time and memories, and I hung on your every word. You are testament that John chose his friends well: Tom and Diane Allen, Brian Topor and David Wrabel (John’s “brothers from other mothers”), Stanley Topor (John’s second dad), Mike Toce, Michael DuPont, Dan Walsh, Bill Brooks, Dan Tracey, Kelly Cray Savery, Kathy Toce, Lynn Noyes Klein (high school friend John adored), Suzy Lindberg Brinegar, Mark Nolan, and Suzanne Giaccone Roberts and Karen Starr Giannelli (special friends who opened their homes to me when I visited Windsor Locks). Thank you all for your time and memories!
Lastly, I personally want to dedicate this book to my mom, Terry Chapman. You supported my efforts and were willing to open the floodgates of tears and laughter to help me remember stories about John. Emotions be damned, Mom, you came through for me, endured countless calls asking you to relive memories big and small, and never swayed from helping me get it right. This is for you…because you deserve to finally know the truth. I love you lots!