Medal of Honor recipient recounts actions during Operation Anaconda

In the early morning of 4 March 2002, then-Senior Chief Slabinski led a reconnaissance team to its assigned area atop Takur Ghar, a 10,000-foot snow-covered mountain in Afghanistan. An enemy rocket-propelled grenade attack on the insertion helicopter caused Petty Officer Neil Roberts to fall onto the enemy-infested mountaintop below, and forced the damaged helicopter to crash land in the valley below. Fully aware of the risks, a numerically superior and well-entrenched enemy force, and approaching daylight, without hesitation Senior Chief Slabinski made the selfless and heroic decision to lead the remainder of his element on an immediate and daring rescue back to the mountaintop.

[@thomasvolpe8082]

this guy takes credit for everything john chapman did the drone footage shows everything that really happened

[@hannahvillota1745]

This story does not jive with video. Video shows chapman clear the bunker. Pretty sick to claim credit for heroism of someone else...

[@jordancasses231]

He's talking about the second bunker after Chapman clears the first

[@ryanvaldes4499]

Hannah Villota second bunker wasn’t cleared. Second bunker wasn’t neutralized until CCT Brown, attached to the Ranger QRF, called for the Predator overhead to fire a hellfire into that bunker. It was also the first time the Predator drone utilized this. Slab didn’t clear bunker 2.

[@SoulCalify]

He had no business as the combat controller to charge up the hill without the rest of his stick. His job is to lay back. No discredit to Chappi, but he could still have been alive had he waited for a regroup before assaulting.

[@rezdog187]

@@SoulCalify you're a moron and a coward!!!! May you burn in hell

[@wethenorth3695]

@@SoulCalify they were gonna get shot he went and saved their lives with that action and saved his squad!

[@donkeybyte4540]

Is this the start of the bad blood with the seals

[@jerryglenn7323]

I don't blame him. I blame the arrogance of the Navy, and the Airforce for not fighting for Chapman's absolute MOH ! This is always going to continue. Because of the military structure and its history. Remember, for every MOH Witnessed, many heroic actions are not. That is why we Honor the rows of crosses in cemeteries in country or abroad.✝✝✝🙏.

[@j-wil1964]

Cover up.

[@pietrablanco]

With respect to this soldier, It was chapman who took the first bunker and killed those inside. It was also shown that chapman was not checked on to see if he was still alive. The only reason they were extracted was due to john coming back to consciousness and suppressing the opposing force to the point that they were overtaken. Lets not forget who the real hero of this mission was. MSGT JOHN CHAPMAN. RIP.

[@nicm9515]

Hearing this account of what happened explains why John Chapman’s MOH is the only one to ever be contested by another branch of service. Navy is trying to cover up for the shortcomings and mistakes of TF Blue.

[@jeffropenn]

Exactly. This guy, despite his years of service shouldn’t have gotten the MOH in my opinion.

[@hoot1141]

@@jeffropenn 100%. I have no idea how this guy got the MOH before Chapman. I have no idea how he got it at all. He did nothing that the rest of the team didn’t already do.

[@catch-22squared26]

Oh they trying to cover up a great deal. He is the absolute worst and it makes me sick hearing him talk

[@jerryglenn7323]

You don't land a helicopter on an obvious strategic mountain. Delta and other units used quieter means. This op is many the Navy has FUBARed. If you want your secrets in a book, call the Navy Seals. If you need a op done right, and keep it quiet. Call SF or Delta.

[@sauljahboi5965]

It's a little sick how the Rangers don't get credit for their feats on that day. Clean up after SEAL messes seems to be Rangers full time job. Takur Ghar = Rangers crash into the mountain, only to fight and take the peak. They recover Robert's and Chapman bodies. After SEALS were sent fleeing and abandoning their own team members to die. Lone Survivor = SEALS get biblical asskicking by 10 Afghan militiamen. Rangers have to patrol mountains for days, recover bodies and retrieve Luttrel. Extortion 17: Rangers are on a DA raid. DEVGRU attempts to jump in mid raid to grab stragglers - only to get shot down. Rangers recover their bodies.

[@willandrews9741]

Where did you get that info on extortion 17

[@shannontuttle5754]

What I gathered from his account is that he completely skipped the fact that John cleared the first bunker on his own and took his and goes directly into the account of him fighting the 2nd bunker...He didn't do anything to deserve the MOH over what any of his other team mates did. What a fraud.

[@samuelgardner5939]

Did he explain why he's no longer welcome at Dam Neck?

[@boujeeboujee9728]

I’m confused why this guy majorly down plays John Chapman and his huge contributions to that fight. WTF!!!!

[@jamesmcbeth4463]

Chappie was AF and not a navy seal

[@hoot1141]

@@jamesmcbeth4463 What’s your point?

[@jamesmcbeth4463]

@@hoot1141 I read that during Neil Roberts' funeral the Seals attributed Chapman's actions to Neil Roberts

[@natehower3966]

@@franks450 you say Chapman's position was unattainable, however Slab states in this interview that he retreated directly on top of Chapman and saw no signs of life. I understand the extreme rush to make a determination but Slab was wrong. He deviated from COC and ordered the helo to the top of the mountain. He makes no mention of Chapman's actions that shut down the bunker 1 guns, and contradicts himself numerous times with his account in Dan Shilling's book. Chapman was the most valuable member on that team according to Slab's other account. Something is afoot and the stink lies at the Navy's feet.

[@ClintonCaraway]

This interview was recorded before the drone footage of the actual events were released to the public. He basically starts lying at the moment he steps off the helicopter. John Chapman did everything he takes credit for and the Rangers saved his ass. Here is a link to the actual events. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aaCufp2KpsmHj9E

[@eldritchlottie5245]

Everytime I hear. His. String of lies I get angry that nothing can be done. Watch John Chapman’s video

[@stephenaylward3932]

This person is a disgrace, does not deserve the medal of honor at all, the footage clearly shows the only WARRIOR on that mountain top that night was John Chapman, his CCT, who he left behind, not even trying to check his condition. disgraceful.

[@dmcfence]

If we consider the entire 14+ hours that Slab fought and carried his wounded to safety, perhaps we should not judge him in that moment. The true issue lies within the infighting and suppression of the full picture after the facts had been revealed. For years now, NSW still is yet to come clean, and that is the real disgrace.

[@wsean87]

Yes he still followed John up that hill while everyone else was still by the helicopter..he shouldn't take credit for John but he was the only other one following him

[@wsean87]

Nobody gives this man credit he still fought for our freedom and he still ran up that hill putting his life on the line for his guys..the man is a moh recipient calling him a disgrace is crazy

[@chamber.it30.06]

rock of shame slabinski

[@wsean87]

He still put his life on the line for us maybe have some respect

[@powellcpr8747]

Tell what really happened. You are taking credit for what Chapman did, why did you get the MOH???

[@chopzmasta07]

I've watched many videos on this story and Airman Sgt. Chapman (RIP). Something smells fishy about it to me. I can't trust or believe chief Slabinski for some reason. Just something doesn't sit right with me about him or the entire situation. The videos on the event show a slightly different account to his story I feel that the whole team was set up and sent to die. The heroics of Sgt. Chapman saved many lives that day, Slabinski was one of them.

[@hoot1141]

No one believes him or respects him.

[@samuelgardner5939]

Read 'Code Over Country" and you'll see the lengths the SEALs went to in order to keep Champman from receiving the MOH.

[@MrJag3030]

Was this man stripped of his MOH after the videos showing the truth came out. If not he should have been, he did not do any more than the rest of his men or the ranger team, if anything he abandoned men.

[@josephsmith6777]

This guy and specifically this battle was the start of the downfall of seal team 6 as a bunch of rouge blood thirsty war criminals this doesnt mean all seals or even all dam neck guys are that but enough thatbits a problem

[@ElementUrth]

All this coming from a liar and a coward.

[@heroesgatechannel]

I always have huge respect for SEALs but not when it comes to stolen valor. It was Chapman who took the big lead upon Takur Ghar, Slabiniski was in the beginning two steps behind him and it was first after Chapman had cleared the first bunker that Slabiniski joined the battle for real. Chapman fought with mulitple hits on his body and was left at least twice. 4 remaining SEALs took cover at the LZ while Chapman fought several AQ fighters and was the first to reach Niel Roberts' body. Talk about heroism and courage. Its fair to say that Slabiniski one year later was part of the rescue of Jessica Lynch so he have also great rescues behind him.

[@01sevensix]

Hmm...Not a good day to die makes the SEALs look highly inept. Firstly for infiltrating directly into the overwatch position. Secondly for rushing back without planning or support and thirdly for failing to communicate with any other branch. Slab doesn't come off well and Vic Hyder comes off appallingly.

[@marc2638]

Navy seals are human they do make mistakes lol. I was a Ranger in the army and it always amazed me how people the second they realized I was a ranger thought I was some super human can't do wrong water walker warrior. We do make mistakes and there are things that do stop us I place. It's mostly our mind set Tha sets us apart from other people

[@FlyingGentile]

Heard this story from the one of the pilots in the MH-47 that got shot down. Its so cool to cross reference the different outlooks of what happened during the operation.

[@atompilot9179]

There is a lot of information in the book Alone at Dawn. It pieces together what happened and why.

[@dmcfence]

Mako 31 had been reporting heavy enemy movement for days at the overlook, and well documented. To say there was no knowledge of the AQ fighters on the objective is fiction or ignorance. A 24hr slide with offset infil may have been the call as requested by Slab, but the NSW Ops O/CO had no intent to acclimate to Blabers very successful results up to that point. Classic case of NSW Rogue attitudes trumping intel/basic infil rule #1(NEVER infil with helos within enemy detection). Slab and Chappy were heroes. Slab and NSW have never acknowledged the full story and have tried to change their stories to try and suppress the full story. Slab was very protected by his brass later to cover up many questionable reports of ROE conduct that would have suppressed his MOH eligibility. He was politely uninvited by DEVGRU to move on so even his community had issues and did not support his MOH upgrade. Read Alone At Dawn and Code Over Country. Even Naylor's Not A Good Day To Die addressed the fact someone continued to fight after Slabs team left. Fellow CCT Jay Hill in fact tried to reply to many of Chapmans radio calls during the 54 minutes he held his ground alone surrounded by the enemy after the team slid away from certain death. The NSW culture does not allow anything less than heroic perfection so myth will always win vs fact. I salute our heroes and also have had to deal with the aftermath of being a part of OEF/OIF combat exposure. The fog of war is very confusing, but at some point the truth must be told by those feeding the tribal conflict within services. The reason Chapmans MOH part 2 was classified was part of the deal to avoid the full story from causing NSW to come under direct scrutiny although there is no blame to lay on the warriors. The blame is on the push from Bagram (SEAL brass and Trebon) to get NSW into the fight while ignoring the established Chain Of Command of Blaber and his intel of the enemy occupied LZ. Another good read is Pete Blabers book, The Mission, Men, and Me. If we can all be willing to look at the full scope of battle then we can learn the lessons and move on. The infighting and attempts to block Chapmans MOH are also well documented and truly tragic.

[@chamber.it30.06]

and then the Chapman video proved this seal rock of shame winner is a liar

[@paulschmidt1644]

Yeah with seeing the video and having that in mind hearing this made me sick to my stomach, terribly disheartening what I saw in the video I’m not sure why this guy received the CMOH.

[@phantom370]

Interesting, his story of talking to TSgt Chapman when in the drone footage, he never quite reached him. And TSgt Chapman was the one who assaulted the bunker? So I am confused on his accounts of this story on how you can remember doing things that never occured. Seems odd to me...

[@Captainkebbles1392]

Slab has it right when first interviewed "I'm no hero. No one should ever want to be me"

[@GATOR_MCLUSKY]

normal bs lie build a story for officers oer and award shit ya didt earn. i dunno if folks are aware in that time awards was done by rank so all officers got a bronze star regardless if they working on staff or put ya boots on

[@HarryHafsak]

How tf can he sit there and tell the story of taking out those bunkers like that. Wow. Integrity.

[@eklypised]

So did you throw a gernade when John went in and killed the dudes or after??

[@Tier5078]

🤔🤨what's he talking about😆😆😆

[@HoldTheLine1990]

So who took credit for leaving Chapman? Somebody left him. Somebody made the decision to leave Chapman. In the end, was this medal awarded to refocus the failure of Anaconda? To attempt to make a right of a major wrong. If you’ve never research this operation then you should. It’s eye opening.

[@Skottink]

All these men are heroes. But there is a lot of questions of why Neil and roberts was abandoned multiple times. Very sad an very tough position to be in.

[@ding_chavez7613]

It was two people, Neil Robert's and John Chapman. Chapman was also the one who cleared the bunker. Not this scumbag

[@Tommiabamf]

Navy leadership failed here. I understand Slabinski was put into a hard position and I believe he did his best. The unacceptable part is how their leadership gave extra credit upon themselves and blatantly not recognizing the truest hero that was Chapman and the follow on forces of Rangers, PJ/CCT/TACP, Air crewmen; of some whom seven paid the ultimate sacrifice to get Slabinski and his remaining team out from there. No one should have blocked any awards in this scenario.

[@jrhamp]

Having seen the video; One wonders why Chapman and combat controller with the mission of controlling air assets decides to assault an enemy position with the enemy in deep fighting positions. Leadership apparently did not hold Chapman back. Why was that? Also, in the video, does it show Chapman with a backpack radio gear TACP's/combat controllers always carry.. FOB Gardez Feb 2003

[@unprofessionallyamateur6354]

Where they were dropped was exposed with little to no cover and well within danger close range to the 1st bunker. So we can only assume chapman decided he couldn’t call strikes under those conditions and rushed it on instinct. And the SEALS even said had he not, one if not all of them could’ve been killed. Dunno why you seem eager to discredit him

[@manuelswords2528]

Our guidance system and technology was not as good as today, not even close. We did try to destroy them with bombs a few times.

[@Skottink]

I’m sorry I mean Chapman an Neil.

[@DianaKazimiera-]

Great respect for this story and heroism.Afghanistan is one of the interesting topics...there the great war against the global terrorist began,but also many wonderful soldiers,commanders and civilians lost their lives...rest in peace 🕯️🕊️ 🤍

[@TheSonjaxfactor]

He's a cowardly liar.

[@rideronboard]

Canadian snipers during Anaconda? Boys came through big time...

[@Howard.Stern.]

Those same snipers had their careers ruined by jealous officers and were accused of war crimes and other misconduct. They almost had their bronze stars denied by the Canadian military.

[@TheSonjaxfactor]

​@@Howard.Stern.Why?

[@wsean87]

This man put his life on the line for his country its kinda sick how many ppl put him down if u watch the video hes only one following john hes still a bad ass

[@user-ju3ns2cz1u]

(@Final Protective) I applicate your passion. Now, if you weren't there STFU!

[@ClintonCaraway]

Everyone can be there. There is video evidence proving every single thing he says is a lie. He took credit for everything and all he really did was follow Neil Chapman into bunker one and then ran away and left him. 100% fact. He accepted the Metal of Honor but he doesn't deserve it one bit.

[@marc2638]

Hells half pipe,,,, I was with 1-87th Infantry. This was my first middle east deployment and 1 out of 2 deployments to Afghanistan. I would return to Afghanistan in 2008. Seems like a lifetime ago