69 years ago today, my great uncle Caliste A. Callahan was killed in action while serving in the Solomon Islands. Here's his story:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Private First Class Caliste A. Callahan (MCSN: 434002), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with Company A, FIRST Marine Parachute Battalion, First Marine Amphibious Corps, in action against the enemy near the Torokina River, Bougainville, Solomon Islands, on 28 December 1943. When heavy enemy mortar, machine gun and rifle fire from a heavily fortified series of concealed pill-boxes and rifle pits held up the advance of a combat patrol of the 1st Marine Parachute Battalion whose mission was to destroy an enemy outpost one half mile east of the Torokina River, Bougainville, Solomon Islands, Private First Class Callahan and a comrade moved forward in the face of the hostile fire and quickly destroyed two emplacements with grenades and demolitions charges. Then, on his own initiative, he charged forward to the remaining positions where he engaged in fierce hand-to-hand combat and inflicted severe casualties before he was killed. Through his intrepid, voluntary assault without regard for his own safety and at the cost of his life, Private First Class Callahan enabled his patrol to overcome the enemy and continue the advance, setting a lasting example of heroism for his comrades-in-arms.
Uncle Caliste, you sure were one tuff couyon!
