thedrifter
05-02-07, 07:07 AM
Slain Marine mourned as hero
Was commended for actions in '05
By John R. Ellement, Globe Staff | May 2, 2007
During his first tour in Iraq, Marine Sergeant William J. Callahan made regular use of his specialized training as an explosives ordnance disposal technician, responding to nearly 200 emergencies.
In an action that led to a citation for courage under fire, Callahan braved insurgent gunfire to help colleagues wounded by an improvised explosive device on Nov. 1, 2005, in Anbar Province, according to the Marine Corps Engineers Association.
Yesterday, the family of the 28-year-old Hanson native and Easton resident were mourning the tall, confident Marine who was killed in combat on April 27 in Iraq.
"We are extremely grateful for the outpouring of support that our family has received during this difficult time," Callahan's widow, Amy Callahan, said in a statement. "Bill was a hero to all of us and I feel fortunate and blessed to have spent the last 10 years of my life with him."
Callahan deployed earlier this year for his second tour of duty in Iraq and was overseas when his son, Danny, was born three weeks ago, friends said.
According to the Defense Department, Callahan was killed in Anbar Province. Details of his death were not disclosed by the Pentagon.
At the time of his death, Callahan was assigned to the Eighth Engineer Support Battalion, Second Marine Logistics Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force based at Camp Lejeune, N.C., according to a Marine spokesman.
Callahan joined the Marines in June 2002 and graduated from technician's training in July 2005.
He volunteered for Iraq and arrived there in September 2005. Callahan was named the Marine Explosive Ord nance Disposal Technician for 2006 for what happened to him and others with him on Nov. 1, 2005.
According to the citation from the Marine Corps Engineers Association, a fraternal organization, Callahan used a robot to disarm an IED and had exited his vehicle to remove the bomb parts when a bomb placed underneath his vehicle exploded, wounding several men in his unit. At least two men eventually died, according to the association's account.
With insurgents pouring small arms fire into the Marines, Callahan rushed to help the wounded. After making sure they were safely evacuated, Callahan ignored small arms fire and returned by himself to the original IED site and completed his investigation, the citation said.
"These actions demonstrate an uncommon resolve to persevere in the face of grave danger," the citation said.
Callahan was a 1997 graduate of Whitman-Hanson Regional High School, where his former basketball coach, William Sweeney, remembered meeting Callahan when he was in the sixth grade and attended a summer basketball camp Sweeney was then running.
"He was a really nice kid," Sweeney said in a telephone interview. "He had a smile on his face all the time."
Sweeney said he saw Callahan last year. He was heavier, having put on some 30 pounds since joining the Marines, but he still had the same upbeat attitude.
"He had gained confidence in himself, but he also kept what was his best side, his engaging personality," Sweeney said.
Sweeney said that during high school and for a few years after, Callahan was not sure about the direction of his life. That changed when he joined the Marines.
"He was very proud of what he was doing," Sweeney said.
Ellie
Was commended for actions in '05
By John R. Ellement, Globe Staff | May 2, 2007
During his first tour in Iraq, Marine Sergeant William J. Callahan made regular use of his specialized training as an explosives ordnance disposal technician, responding to nearly 200 emergencies.
In an action that led to a citation for courage under fire, Callahan braved insurgent gunfire to help colleagues wounded by an improvised explosive device on Nov. 1, 2005, in Anbar Province, according to the Marine Corps Engineers Association.
Yesterday, the family of the 28-year-old Hanson native and Easton resident were mourning the tall, confident Marine who was killed in combat on April 27 in Iraq.
"We are extremely grateful for the outpouring of support that our family has received during this difficult time," Callahan's widow, Amy Callahan, said in a statement. "Bill was a hero to all of us and I feel fortunate and blessed to have spent the last 10 years of my life with him."
Callahan deployed earlier this year for his second tour of duty in Iraq and was overseas when his son, Danny, was born three weeks ago, friends said.
According to the Defense Department, Callahan was killed in Anbar Province. Details of his death were not disclosed by the Pentagon.
At the time of his death, Callahan was assigned to the Eighth Engineer Support Battalion, Second Marine Logistics Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force based at Camp Lejeune, N.C., according to a Marine spokesman.
Callahan joined the Marines in June 2002 and graduated from technician's training in July 2005.
He volunteered for Iraq and arrived there in September 2005. Callahan was named the Marine Explosive Ord nance Disposal Technician for 2006 for what happened to him and others with him on Nov. 1, 2005.
According to the citation from the Marine Corps Engineers Association, a fraternal organization, Callahan used a robot to disarm an IED and had exited his vehicle to remove the bomb parts when a bomb placed underneath his vehicle exploded, wounding several men in his unit. At least two men eventually died, according to the association's account.
With insurgents pouring small arms fire into the Marines, Callahan rushed to help the wounded. After making sure they were safely evacuated, Callahan ignored small arms fire and returned by himself to the original IED site and completed his investigation, the citation said.
"These actions demonstrate an uncommon resolve to persevere in the face of grave danger," the citation said.
Callahan was a 1997 graduate of Whitman-Hanson Regional High School, where his former basketball coach, William Sweeney, remembered meeting Callahan when he was in the sixth grade and attended a summer basketball camp Sweeney was then running.
"He was a really nice kid," Sweeney said in a telephone interview. "He had a smile on his face all the time."
Sweeney said he saw Callahan last year. He was heavier, having put on some 30 pounds since joining the Marines, but he still had the same upbeat attitude.
"He had gained confidence in himself, but he also kept what was his best side, his engaging personality," Sweeney said.
Sweeney said that during high school and for a few years after, Callahan was not sure about the direction of his life. That changed when he joined the Marines.
"He was very proud of what he was doing," Sweeney said.
Ellie