Honoring Command Master Chief Britt Slabinski on His Birthday
Today we honor and celebrate the extraordinary life and service of Command Master Chief Britt K. Slabinski, one of only 61 living Medal of Honor recipients. As friends, family, and a grateful nation mark his birthday, it is fitting to reflect on the actions and character that earned him the highest military decoration and the lifelong respect of the Naval Special Warfare community.
From SEAL Team 6 to the Medal of Honor
Master Chief Slabinski spent decades inside Naval Special Warfare, serving on some of the most consequential and dangerous missions of the post-9/11 era. He rose through the ranks on the basis of skill, calm leadership, and devotion to the men under his command. No single event defined him like the action on Takur Ghar during Operation Anaconda on March 4, 2002, a night that became one of the fiercest small-unit fights of the war.
The firefight on Takur Ghar
During an insertion mission, an RPG strike struck a helicopter, and Petty Officer Neil C. Roberts was thrown from the aircraft onto a snowbound peak. Slabinski made the split-second decision to return under intense enemy fire to attempt a rescue. Reinserted into hostile terrain, his team climbed through deep snow and thin air while coming under heavy machine-gun and RPG fire from fortified positions.
- He rallied his team to push uphill through severe weather and enemy fire.
- He led multiple assaults on enemy bunkers, repeatedly exposing himself to protect his men.
- When wounded teammates needed evacuation, he carried a wounded operator through deep snow.
- He coordinated close air support and medical evacuation while the firefight continued for more than 14 hours.
Throughout that night, casualties mounted and conditions deteriorated. Faced with overwhelming odds, Slabinski prioritized the lives of his teammates and executed decisions in the fog of battle that commanders and historians would later examine. For his leadership, bravery, and selfless devotion to duty, he was awarded the Medal of Honor.
John A. Chapman and the mountain
The Takur Ghar fight is also inextricably linked with the heroism of Air Force Combat Controller John A. Chapman. Chapman fought with unmatched courage on that peak and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. The mountain tested both men and the small teams around them in ways few deployments ever do.
Two warriors. Two Medals of Honor. One brutal battle that tested the limits of human courage.
Controversy, investigation, and the official record
Years after the battle, ISR footage and public discussion prompted questions about exactly what happened inside a particular bunker and whether Chapman may have regained consciousness and fought alone. The ensuing reviews and a Department of Defense investigation examined operational reports, eyewitness accounts, and available footage.
The official record concluded that in the chaos of a night fight on a snowbound ridge, with limited visibility and incomplete information, Slabinski made the best decisions he could to protect his men and extract survivors. He attempted to reach Chapman’s position under direct fire and repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire during rescue attempts. Ultimately, he led the surviving operators off the mountain to prevent further losses.
Legacy inside Naval Special Warfare
Controversy never diminished how those who served with Britt Slabinski remember him. SEALs and other special operators describe him as a steady leader who put his teammates first. His conduct under fire, commitment to mission, and calm under pressure set a standard for younger operators. Both Slabinski and Chapman are now honored among a small number of living Medal of Honor recipients whose stories embody sacrifice and courage.
Why his birthday matters
Recognizing Slabinski on his birthday is more than ceremony. It is a moment to acknowledge the cost of service and the character it takes to lead in extreme conditions. It is a chance to thank a living veteran whose actions preserved lives and upheld the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
As you wish him a happy birthday, remember the broader lessons his career teaches: leadership in crisis, accountability under pressure, and an unwavering commitment to teammates. These qualities matter in uniform and in civilian life.
How you can mark the day
- Send a message of gratitude on social platforms or through veteran organizations.
- Support special operations and veteran charities that assist families and injured operators.
- Learn more about Takur Ghar and Operation Anaconda to better understand the complexities of modern combat.
Command Master Chief Britt K. Slabinski’s Medal of Honor reflects a single night of intense combat, but his legacy is the steady example he set across a long career. Today, we join his family, friends, and all who served alongside him in wishing him a very happy birthday and in honoring a man whose courage and leadership continue to inspire.
