Sgt. Robert Larson,
24th Press Camp Headquarters:
When most people in the Fort Bliss and El Paso communities hear the name “Chapin,” they think of the high school in the northeast neighborhood area. Most do not know the school is named after native El Pasoan and World War II hero Capt. John L. Chapin.
Chapin was born March 15, 1913, and attended grade school and high school in El Paso and Ysleta school districts. He met his wife, Velma, when he was 9 years old and they married April 21, 1937. He went on to earn a chemical engineering degree from Texas A&M in1936.
Times were hard for John and Velma. The depression was still going full force, and John found he could make more money working for the post office than working for low wages in the newly established chemical engineering field.
A National Guard unit approached Chapin about becoming their chemical warfare officer. He decided to join them, because he wanted to attend medical school and the extra money would help him pay for it. He only planned on being in the unit for a year, but the unit was activated a short time later as E Company, 141st Infantry Regiment, 36th Division.
Most of E Co. was made up of local men who had dropped out of the area high schools. They had joined the National Guard for the training it could provide them. E Co. left El Paso to very little fanfare in November 1940 to train for the possibility of war.
The helmet of John Chapin on the banks of the Rapido River in Italy Jan. 22, 1944. Courtesy photo
While in training, Chapin was promoted to captain and assumed command of the company. The men of E Co. respected Chapin for his skill as an officer and his fairness in dealing with daily grind of military duty. It was at this time that the men of E Co. gave Chapin his nickname, “Daddy Long Legs,” though most addressed him as “Captain John.”
The company was stationed in several different places around the U.S. His family tried to move with him, but eventually went to stay with his wife’s family in California. Dec. 12, 1942, Chapin boarded a train to begin his journey to the front lines in Europe. It was the last time his family would see him alive.
Chapin and his “boys” were sent to Africa to prepare for the Italian invasion. During the Italian campaign, Chapin saw action at Salerno, San Pietro and finally at the Rapido River. During the fighting in San Pietro, Chapin was wounded and could have gone home. He refused, saying he had come with his “boys” and he wasn’t going back to Texas without them.
From left to right, John Chapin, his wife Velma and Velma’s father and uncle pose in an undated photo. Courtesy photo
The failed Rapido crossing Jan. 22, 1944, was a critical, but suicidal, mission. Chapin led his men across against heavy opposition. E Co. was one of the few units to actually get across the river. Chapin was found in his foxhole with a telephone in one hand and his carbine in the other. He earned the Silver Star for his heroics at the Rapido River.
Velma Chapin did not hear about her husband’s death for a month. His personal effects were returned to her, but Chapin’s body was buried in a cemetery in Italy along with many of his “boys.”
In 2001, many years after the battle at the Rapido River, the city of El Paso and Fort Bliss debated what to name the new high school that had been built on the military reservation. Many names were put forward for consideration, including generals, politicians and other notable individuals.
The naming committee originally intended on naming the school after a local Hispanic war hero. Many of the men of E Co. were approached as well as the families of those who had died in Europe. All of them refused to allow their family members’ names to be used, instead insisting that Chapin be honored.
The tales from the men of E Co. held much weight in the eyes of the committee. Many of them talked about Chapin’s selflessness. He passed up promotion to major on five occasions to stay with his men. Chapin did not want them to be passed on to another officer who would not understand them like he did.
When she was contacted about the committee’s decision to name the school after her husband, Velma Chapin-Perkins was overwhelmed.
“She was delighted,” said Dr. Paul Chapin, John Chapin’s son. “We were both very moved by this fantastic tribute to my father.”
Velma and Paul also got the chance to talk with many of the survivors of E Co. during the dedication ceremony in 2001. They learned much about their husband and father they did not know. To Paul, one story stood out to describe the kind of man his father was.
During the 1930s and 40s Hispanics experienced their share of discrimination, especially in Texas. Chapin and his men traveled to many locations to train for the coming war. It was at one of these training stops that Chapin showed how far he would go for his “boys.”
“Several of the local restaurants would not serve his Hispanic Soldiers,” said Paul, “So he had them put off limits to all Soldiers. Eventually the owners of those establishments changed their policy when they started losing money.”
Velma ended up in California and did not remarry for many years after John’s death. Paul Chapin is now a doctor in New Mexico.
Without men like John Chapin and his “boys,” the allied forces may have lost World War II. For his sacrifice and courage, Chapin earned something that many other heroes never achieve, to be immortalized in the memories of his friends and peers.
Silver Star
(UNCONFIRMED - Citation Needed): John L. Chapin, United States Army, is reported to have been awarded the Silver Star under the below-listed General Orders for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with the 36th Infantry Division during World War II.
General Orders: Headquarters, 36th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 34 (1944)
Action Date: World War II
Service: Army
Division: 36th Infantry Division
24th Press Camp Headquarters:
When most people in the Fort Bliss and El Paso communities hear the name “Chapin,” they think of the high school in the northeast neighborhood area. Most do not know the school is named after native El Pasoan and World War II hero Capt. John L. Chapin.
Chapin was born March 15, 1913, and attended grade school and high school in El Paso and Ysleta school districts. He met his wife, Velma, when he was 9 years old and they married April 21, 1937. He went on to earn a chemical engineering degree from Texas A&M in1936.
Times were hard for John and Velma. The depression was still going full force, and John found he could make more money working for the post office than working for low wages in the newly established chemical engineering field.
A National Guard unit approached Chapin about becoming their chemical warfare officer. He decided to join them, because he wanted to attend medical school and the extra money would help him pay for it. He only planned on being in the unit for a year, but the unit was activated a short time later as E Company, 141st Infantry Regiment, 36th Division.
Most of E Co. was made up of local men who had dropped out of the area high schools. They had joined the National Guard for the training it could provide them. E Co. left El Paso to very little fanfare in November 1940 to train for the possibility of war.
The helmet of John Chapin on the banks of the Rapido River in Italy Jan. 22, 1944. Courtesy photo
While in training, Chapin was promoted to captain and assumed command of the company. The men of E Co. respected Chapin for his skill as an officer and his fairness in dealing with daily grind of military duty. It was at this time that the men of E Co. gave Chapin his nickname, “Daddy Long Legs,” though most addressed him as “Captain John.”
The company was stationed in several different places around the U.S. His family tried to move with him, but eventually went to stay with his wife’s family in California. Dec. 12, 1942, Chapin boarded a train to begin his journey to the front lines in Europe. It was the last time his family would see him alive.
Chapin and his “boys” were sent to Africa to prepare for the Italian invasion. During the Italian campaign, Chapin saw action at Salerno, San Pietro and finally at the Rapido River. During the fighting in San Pietro, Chapin was wounded and could have gone home. He refused, saying he had come with his “boys” and he wasn’t going back to Texas without them.
From left to right, John Chapin, his wife Velma and Velma’s father and uncle pose in an undated photo. Courtesy photo
The failed Rapido crossing Jan. 22, 1944, was a critical, but suicidal, mission. Chapin led his men across against heavy opposition. E Co. was one of the few units to actually get across the river. Chapin was found in his foxhole with a telephone in one hand and his carbine in the other. He earned the Silver Star for his heroics at the Rapido River.
Velma Chapin did not hear about her husband’s death for a month. His personal effects were returned to her, but Chapin’s body was buried in a cemetery in Italy along with many of his “boys.”
In 2001, many years after the battle at the Rapido River, the city of El Paso and Fort Bliss debated what to name the new high school that had been built on the military reservation. Many names were put forward for consideration, including generals, politicians and other notable individuals.
The naming committee originally intended on naming the school after a local Hispanic war hero. Many of the men of E Co. were approached as well as the families of those who had died in Europe. All of them refused to allow their family members’ names to be used, instead insisting that Chapin be honored.
The tales from the men of E Co. held much weight in the eyes of the committee. Many of them talked about Chapin’s selflessness. He passed up promotion to major on five occasions to stay with his men. Chapin did not want them to be passed on to another officer who would not understand them like he did.
When she was contacted about the committee’s decision to name the school after her husband, Velma Chapin-Perkins was overwhelmed.
“She was delighted,” said Dr. Paul Chapin, John Chapin’s son. “We were both very moved by this fantastic tribute to my father.”
Velma and Paul also got the chance to talk with many of the survivors of E Co. during the dedication ceremony in 2001. They learned much about their husband and father they did not know. To Paul, one story stood out to describe the kind of man his father was.
During the 1930s and 40s Hispanics experienced their share of discrimination, especially in Texas. Chapin and his men traveled to many locations to train for the coming war. It was at one of these training stops that Chapin showed how far he would go for his “boys.”
“Several of the local restaurants would not serve his Hispanic Soldiers,” said Paul, “So he had them put off limits to all Soldiers. Eventually the owners of those establishments changed their policy when they started losing money.”
Velma ended up in California and did not remarry for many years after John’s death. Paul Chapin is now a doctor in New Mexico.
Without men like John Chapin and his “boys,” the allied forces may have lost World War II. For his sacrifice and courage, Chapin earned something that many other heroes never achieve, to be immortalized in the memories of his friends and peers.
Silver Star
(UNCONFIRMED - Citation Needed): John L. Chapin, United States Army, is reported to have been awarded the Silver Star under the below-listed General Orders for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with the 36th Infantry Division during World War II.
General Orders: Headquarters, 36th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 34 (1944)
Action Date: World War II
Service: Army
Division: 36th Infantry Division
Sgt. Robert Larson,
24th Press Camp Headquarters:
When most people in the Fort Bliss and El Paso communities hear the name “Chapin,” they think of the high school in the northeast neighborhood area. Most do not know the school is named after native El Pasoan and World War II hero Capt. John L. Chapin.
Chapin was born March 15, 1913, and attended grade school and high school in El Paso and Ysleta school districts. He met his wife, Velma, when he was 9 years old and they married April 21, 1937. He went on to earn a chemical engineering degree from Texas A&M in1936.
Times were hard for John and Velma. The depression was still going full force, and John found he could make more money working for the post office than working for low wages in the newly established chemical engineering field.
A National Guard unit approached Chapin about becoming their chemical warfare officer. He decided to join them, because he wanted to attend medical school and the extra money would help him pay for it. He only planned on being in the unit for a year, but the unit was activated a short time later as E Company, 141st Infantry Regiment, 36th Division.
Most of E Co. was made up of local men who had dropped out of the area high schools. They had joined the National Guard for the training it could provide them. E Co. left El Paso to very little fanfare in November 1940 to train for the possibility of war.
The helmet of John Chapin on the banks of the Rapido River in Italy Jan. 22, 1944. Courtesy photo
While in training, Chapin was promoted to captain and assumed command of the company. The men of E Co. respected Chapin for his skill as an officer and his fairness in dealing with daily grind of military duty. It was at this time that the men of E Co. gave Chapin his nickname, “Daddy Long Legs,” though most addressed him as “Captain John.”
The company was stationed in several different places around the U.S. His family tried to move with him, but eventually went to stay with his wife’s family in California. Dec. 12, 1942, Chapin boarded a train to begin his journey to the front lines in Europe. It was the last time his family would see him alive.
Chapin and his “boys” were sent to Africa to prepare for the Italian invasion. During the Italian campaign, Chapin saw action at Salerno, San Pietro and finally at the Rapido River. During the fighting in San Pietro, Chapin was wounded and could have gone home. He refused, saying he had come with his “boys” and he wasn’t going back to Texas without them.
From left to right, John Chapin, his wife Velma and Velma’s father and uncle pose in an undated photo. Courtesy photo
The failed Rapido crossing Jan. 22, 1944, was a critical, but suicidal, mission. Chapin led his men across against heavy opposition. E Co. was one of the few units to actually get across the river. Chapin was found in his foxhole with a telephone in one hand and his carbine in the other. He earned the Silver Star for his heroics at the Rapido River.
Velma Chapin did not hear about her husband’s death for a month. His personal effects were returned to her, but Chapin’s body was buried in a cemetery in Italy along with many of his “boys.”
In 2001, many years after the battle at the Rapido River, the city of El Paso and Fort Bliss debated what to name the new high school that had been built on the military reservation. Many names were put forward for consideration, including generals, politicians and other notable individuals.
The naming committee originally intended on naming the school after a local Hispanic war hero. Many of the men of E Co. were approached as well as the families of those who had died in Europe. All of them refused to allow their family members’ names to be used, instead insisting that Chapin be honored.
The tales from the men of E Co. held much weight in the eyes of the committee. Many of them talked about Chapin’s selflessness. He passed up promotion to major on five occasions to stay with his men. Chapin did not want them to be passed on to another officer who would not understand them like he did.
When she was contacted about the committee’s decision to name the school after her husband, Velma Chapin-Perkins was overwhelmed.
“She was delighted,” said Dr. Paul Chapin, John Chapin’s son. “We were both very moved by this fantastic tribute to my father.”
Velma and Paul also got the chance to talk with many of the survivors of E Co. during the dedication ceremony in 2001. They learned much about their husband and father they did not know. To Paul, one story stood out to describe the kind of man his father was.
During the 1930s and 40s Hispanics experienced their share of discrimination, especially in Texas. Chapin and his men traveled to many locations to train for the coming war. It was at one of these training stops that Chapin showed how far he would go for his “boys.”
“Several of the local restaurants would not serve his Hispanic Soldiers,” said Paul, “So he had them put off limits to all Soldiers. Eventually the owners of those establishments changed their policy when they started losing money.”
Velma ended up in California and did not remarry for many years after John’s death. Paul Chapin is now a doctor in New Mexico.
Without men like John Chapin and his “boys,” the allied forces may have lost World War II. For his sacrifice and courage, Chapin earned something that many other heroes never achieve, to be immortalized in the memories of his friends and peers.
Silver Star
(UNCONFIRMED - Citation Needed): John L. Chapin, United States Army, is reported to have been awarded the Silver Star under the below-listed General Orders for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with the 36th Infantry Division during World War II.
General Orders: Headquarters, 36th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 34 (1944)
Action Date: World War II
Service: Army
Division: 36th Infantry Division
24th Press Camp Headquarters:
When most people in the Fort Bliss and El Paso communities hear the name “Chapin,” they think of the high school in the northeast neighborhood area. Most do not know the school is named after native El Pasoan and World War II hero Capt. John L. Chapin.
Chapin was born March 15, 1913, and attended grade school and high school in El Paso and Ysleta school districts. He met his wife, Velma, when he was 9 years old and they married April 21, 1937. He went on to earn a chemical engineering degree from Texas A&M in1936.
Times were hard for John and Velma. The depression was still going full force, and John found he could make more money working for the post office than working for low wages in the newly established chemical engineering field.
A National Guard unit approached Chapin about becoming their chemical warfare officer. He decided to join them, because he wanted to attend medical school and the extra money would help him pay for it. He only planned on being in the unit for a year, but the unit was activated a short time later as E Company, 141st Infantry Regiment, 36th Division.
Most of E Co. was made up of local men who had dropped out of the area high schools. They had joined the National Guard for the training it could provide them. E Co. left El Paso to very little fanfare in November 1940 to train for the possibility of war.
The helmet of John Chapin on the banks of the Rapido River in Italy Jan. 22, 1944. Courtesy photo
While in training, Chapin was promoted to captain and assumed command of the company. The men of E Co. respected Chapin for his skill as an officer and his fairness in dealing with daily grind of military duty. It was at this time that the men of E Co. gave Chapin his nickname, “Daddy Long Legs,” though most addressed him as “Captain John.”
The company was stationed in several different places around the U.S. His family tried to move with him, but eventually went to stay with his wife’s family in California. Dec. 12, 1942, Chapin boarded a train to begin his journey to the front lines in Europe. It was the last time his family would see him alive.
Chapin and his “boys” were sent to Africa to prepare for the Italian invasion. During the Italian campaign, Chapin saw action at Salerno, San Pietro and finally at the Rapido River. During the fighting in San Pietro, Chapin was wounded and could have gone home. He refused, saying he had come with his “boys” and he wasn’t going back to Texas without them.
From left to right, John Chapin, his wife Velma and Velma’s father and uncle pose in an undated photo. Courtesy photo
The failed Rapido crossing Jan. 22, 1944, was a critical, but suicidal, mission. Chapin led his men across against heavy opposition. E Co. was one of the few units to actually get across the river. Chapin was found in his foxhole with a telephone in one hand and his carbine in the other. He earned the Silver Star for his heroics at the Rapido River.
Velma Chapin did not hear about her husband’s death for a month. His personal effects were returned to her, but Chapin’s body was buried in a cemetery in Italy along with many of his “boys.”
In 2001, many years after the battle at the Rapido River, the city of El Paso and Fort Bliss debated what to name the new high school that had been built on the military reservation. Many names were put forward for consideration, including generals, politicians and other notable individuals.
The naming committee originally intended on naming the school after a local Hispanic war hero. Many of the men of E Co. were approached as well as the families of those who had died in Europe. All of them refused to allow their family members’ names to be used, instead insisting that Chapin be honored.
The tales from the men of E Co. held much weight in the eyes of the committee. Many of them talked about Chapin’s selflessness. He passed up promotion to major on five occasions to stay with his men. Chapin did not want them to be passed on to another officer who would not understand them like he did.
When she was contacted about the committee’s decision to name the school after her husband, Velma Chapin-Perkins was overwhelmed.
“She was delighted,” said Dr. Paul Chapin, John Chapin’s son. “We were both very moved by this fantastic tribute to my father.”
Velma and Paul also got the chance to talk with many of the survivors of E Co. during the dedication ceremony in 2001. They learned much about their husband and father they did not know. To Paul, one story stood out to describe the kind of man his father was.
During the 1930s and 40s Hispanics experienced their share of discrimination, especially in Texas. Chapin and his men traveled to many locations to train for the coming war. It was at one of these training stops that Chapin showed how far he would go for his “boys.”
“Several of the local restaurants would not serve his Hispanic Soldiers,” said Paul, “So he had them put off limits to all Soldiers. Eventually the owners of those establishments changed their policy when they started losing money.”
Velma ended up in California and did not remarry for many years after John’s death. Paul Chapin is now a doctor in New Mexico.
Without men like John Chapin and his “boys,” the allied forces may have lost World War II. For his sacrifice and courage, Chapin earned something that many other heroes never achieve, to be immortalized in the memories of his friends and peers.
Silver Star
(UNCONFIRMED - Citation Needed): John L. Chapin, United States Army, is reported to have been awarded the Silver Star under the below-listed General Orders for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with the 36th Infantry Division during World War II.
General Orders: Headquarters, 36th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 34 (1944)
Action Date: World War II
Service: Army
Division: 36th Infantry Division
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from Texas.
Family Members
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