Michael P. Callahan was born April 11, 1948. Michael was the second son of John (“Jack”) and Elizabeth (“Betty”) Callahan. Mike had two brothers, Tim and Jack, and a sister, Mary, who was the youngest sibling.
Michael graduated from Wildwood High School in Wildwood, NJ, in 1967. Mike played for the Wildwood High School football team. He was a member of the North Wildwood Beach Patrol during the summer of 1967.
After graduating from Wildwood High, Callahan attended Cape May Vocational School. He graduated in 1968, serving his graduating class as its elected President.
Shortly after graduating from Cape May Vocational School, Mike entered the US Army and attained the rank of Specialist 4 (SP4). He received his basic training at Fort Dix, NJ. He was assigned to Company B of the 4th Battalion on July 18, 1968.
Callahan received advanced infantry training at Fort Polk, LA. After a short home leave, he shipped out for Vietnam shortly after Thanksgiving, 1968.
In Vietnam, Callahan was assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion (Airmobile), 501st Infantry of the 101st Airborne Division. He was a Specialist 4th Class who on June 6, 1969, was working point as team leader of a patrol when he was killed by hostile fire. He is buried in Saint Mary’s Cemetery in Cape May.
His commendation for his Silver Star reads:
On the cited date, the lead element of Company B was attempting to capture a North Vietnamese Army soldier who gave the pretense of surrender. While capturing the insurgent, the company came under heavy enemy machine gun fire from a nearby position.
Realizing that the hostile emplacement must be silenced, Specialist Callahan began to place suppressive fire on the insurgents. Encouraging his men to do likewise, he remained in the open while attempting to gain fire superiority as another element of the company was maneuvering to outflank the insurgents. With complete disregard for his own safety, Specialist Callahan continued to divert the enemy fire, thus providing cover for the main maneuvering element. It was during this courageous act that he was mortally wounded by hostile machine gun fire.
His outstanding leadership and courage were a major factor in saving many of his men from injury or possible death. Specialist Callahan’s personal bravery and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Besides the Silver Star, Callahan received a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart.
In July of 1969, the North Wildwood Beach Patrol began the Beschen-Callahan Memorial Lifeguard Races to honor Mike and Jimmy Beschen, another former North Wildwood lifeguard who gave his life for his country in Vietnam. The races have now been held for 35 consecutive years.
Callahan’s friend, George Coleman, is also remembered on the NJ Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial in Holmdel, NJ.
The oldest Callahan son, Jack, was also a Vietnam Veteran. He died from complications of wounds he suffered in Vietnam on March 27, 2004.
Sources: Tim Callahan (brother) and NJVVMF.
12/17/2024
