After Half a Century, American Fork’s Hero Comes Home – A Legacy of Bravery and a Family’s Closure

Underneath the towering branches of a 30-foot tree in Robinson Park, there’s a story woven through the pine needles – a story of bravery, loss, and an unwavering quest for answers. This tree, now a formidable part of the park’s landscape, was once a mere 4-foot sapling planted in the fall of 1973. It stood, adorned in sparkling tinsel and ornaments, as a hopeful “Freedom Tree” dedicated to Marine Capt. R. Jim Chipman, missing-in-action in Vietnam since the previous Christmas season.

For decades, the tree has grown, marking not only the passage of time but also a silent witness to the resilience of a family and a community waiting for closure.

Capt. Ralph “Jim” Chipman’s legacy, rooted in the heart of American Fork, has long been a poignant reminder of the sacrifices borne by our servicemen and women. In a recent and profound development, this legacy finds a sense of peace. Chipman, who heroically served his country in the skies of Vietnam, is finally coming home.

The Journey of Recovery

In a heartfelt statement on August 7, 2023, Scot and Matthew Chipman, sons of the late Capt. Chipman, unveiled the news that their father’s remains were found in the Quang Binh Province of Vietnam. The discovery included personal effects – a dog tag, teeth, and osseous material – definitively identified as belonging to Capt. Chipman.

“The day our family has been waiting for has finally come!” expressed Scot Chipman in a social media post. His words echoed the sentiments of a family that had spent decades wondering, hoping, and grieving.

Capt. Chipman: The Soldier and The Man

Capt. Chipman, a pilot of the Grumman A6 Intruder, an attack aircraft used extensively in the Vietnam War, embarked on a mission on December 27, 1972, with co-pilot 1Lt. Ronald W. Forrester. Their aircraft, equipped with state-of-the-art DIANE (Digital Integrated Attack navigation Equipment), was tasked with perilous night missions. They never returned from that December mission, and uncertainty lingered for years regarding their fate.

His family, especially his wife Susan Richards, endured an agonizing wait, peppered with moments of hope and despair. But now, after fifty long years, a piece of Capt. Chipman is returning to the soil he once vowed to defend.

A Community’s Tribute

Capt. Chipman’s homecoming transcends the bounds of a mere personal family event; it marks a poignant chapter in the history of American Fork. The town is poised to honor its hero with the solemn dignity he deserves. Council member Kevin Barnes, no stranger to the anguish of losing a loved one to the ravages of war, having himself endured the heart-wrenching loss of his son, Nathan Barnes, in service to their country, has announced a special segment dedicated to Capt. Chipman. This tribute, part of the Veterans Day program set for November 10th at 11 am at the Tabernacle, represents a communal moment of remembrance, celebration, and mourning. Barnes’ personal experience with such a profound loss imbues the occasion with an even deeper resonance, as the community gathers not only to pay homage to Capt. Chipman but also to reflect on the sacrifices borne by families like the Chipmans and the Barneses.

Mayor Brad Frost disclosed plans for an even more poignant tribute. On November 9th, Capt. Chipman’s remains will be escorted by Marines, Utah Highway Patrol, and American Fork Police to American Fork, followed by a hero’s welcome and a military-conducted graveside service on November 11th. “It’s a historic event,” Mayor Frost remarked, “bringing back home a veteran who has been missing in action for 50 years.”

His son, Scot Chipman, with a sense of ceremony befitting his father’s legacy, extends a cordial summons to the community. This call to collective reflection beckons residents and strangers alike to the memorial service, an occasion poised to etch itself into the town’s collective memory. Scheduled for the 1 pm of the eleventh day of November at the American Fork Cemetery, the service promises to enshroud attendees in the grandeur and solemnity that Ralph’s service to his country merits.

The community, in turn, is poised to participate in a prelude to this memorial: a procession along Center Street, unfolding at the juncture of 12:30 pm. This cortège, a tribute to Ralph’s ultimate sacrifice, will trace its solemn path from 100 N. to 600 N., transforming the thoroughfare into a tableau of homage. Residents are discouraged from parking along this arterial street, instead seeking alternative spaces, in anticipation of the procession’s sanctified passage. As if to punctuate the tribute with a whisper of might and the echoes of honor, a C130 flyover is slated to cleave the skies close to the moment the clock hands unite at 1:00 PM, contingent, as always, upon the whims of the weather. Thus, on that day, American Fork will stand still in time, as its citizens, in a shared rite of patriotism, bear witness to the weight of sacrifice and the enduring resonance of a hero’s legacy.

The ceremony, promising full military honors, stands as a testament to the valor and dignity inherent in military service. It’s not just an event but a profound communal experience, a collective pause for reflection and respect. The presence of the community is not only desired but vital in lending weight to this tribute.

It’s an opportunity for townsfolk to stand shoulder to shoulder, witnessing and participating in a ritual of national significance, a chance to tangibly express their gratitude and reverence for those who’ve given their all. This ceremony, following closely on the heels of the previous day’s Veterans Day program, promises to further unify the community in a shared expression of remembrance and honor.

A Reflection of Time and Change

As these events unfold, the “Freedom Tree” in Robinson Park – once a small, hopeful sapling and now a grand, enduring tree – stands as a symbol of the passage of time, of memory, and of the indomitable human spirit. It’s not just a tree but a living monument to a man who served his country with valor and to the family who never lost hope.

In the quiet streets of American Fork, the return of Capt. Chipman is a somber yet vital reminder of the cost of freedom. It’s a story of a soldier who went to serve his nation, leaving behind a young family, and a small town that never forgot him. As we honor Capt. Chipman, let’s also remember all those who serve, the sacrifices made, and the families who wait, hoping for their loved ones’ return. In this moment of reflection, let Capt. Chipman’s homecoming be a testament to faith, resilience, and the profound bonds that connect a community to its heroes.