History of Capt. John L. Chapin
Chapin High was named after a local World War II hero, Army Captain John L. Chapin. Before enlisting in the National Guard Chapin graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in chemical engineering. He intended to go to medical school after graduating but postponed his plans so that he could join the National Guard.
In November 1940 Chapin's unit was activated as Company E, 141st Infantry, 36th Division of the United States Army. The unit was sent overseas to North Africa. Chapin declined several promotions in order to stay with Company E as the unit consisted mostly of fellow El Pasoans. Most Company E men were Hispanic and non-English speakers. Chapin thought that if he took the promotion Company E would probably be left to a non Spanish speaking commander who would mistreat the soldiers. For this reason his men respected him. Captain Chapin was killed leading the men of Company E into battle across the Rapido River in Italy.
Read more about this topic: Captain John L. Chapin High School
Famous quotes containing the words history of, history and/or john:
“When the history of this period is written, [William Jennings] Bryan will stand out as one of the most remarkable men of his generation and one of the biggest political men of our country.”
—William Howard Taft (1857–1930)
“When we of the so-called better classes are scared as men were never scared in history at material ugliness and hardship; when we put off marriage until our house can be artistic, and quake at the thought of having a child without a bank-account and doomed to manual labor, it is time for thinking men to protest against so unmanly and irreligious a state of opinion.”
—William James (1842–1910)
“Oh for some honest lover’s ghost,
Some kind unbodied post
Sent from the shades below!
I strangely long to know
Whether the nobler chaplets wear
Those that their mistress’ scorn did bear,
Or those that were used kindly.”
—Sir John Suckling (1609–1642)