David George CALLAHAN

Source : Nhdsilentheroes.org

CEMTERY TEMPORARY of  -- N°--

Story of Cemetery Temporary 

Map of Normandy American Cemetery

Source : Nhdsilentheroes.org

Callahan enlisted in the U.S. military on November 16, 1942, in Boston alongside his three brothers: Arthur Palos and Charles J. McIntyre, both adopted sons of the Johnson's, and his biological brother, John E. Callahan. While it is a tragedy to lose a child, it is also a great honor to have multiple sons readily embark on a crusade for universal liberty and democracy. Naturally, the brothers truly exemplify the American spirit and sincere dedication that propelled the Allies to eventual success. By enlisting and serving together, they forged a unique bond. This unparalleled comradeship can be only be found among the tattered, battle-hardened soldiers of war who are tirelessly fighting to maintain our ultimate freedom.

Following his entrance into service, Callahan was stationed at Camp Maxey and Camp Swift in Texas for several months before being sent overseas in March 1944. Once in Europe, he became a Private First Class and served as a machine gunner for the 26^th Infantry Regiment of the 1^st Infantry Division. On the night of June 6, his regiment was summoned to supplement the depleted Allied forces who had suffered devastating losses on Omaha Beach earlier that morning. The following day on June 7, despite relative calmness, enemy fire suddenly descended upon the troops. However, there were slight casualties. Callahan was one of only ten men to be killed in action during an attempt to liberate Formigny. 

Renowned American writer William Faulkner once said, “Man will not merely endure. He will prevail. He is immortal, not because he alone among creatures has an inexhaustible voice, but because he has a soul, a spirit capable of compassion and sacrifice and endurance.” These words ultimately embody the indelible legacy left by fallen soldiers who suffered as a result of a cruel and perpetual war. However, commemorating a fallen soldier is not merely achieved by defining their awards and terms of service. Instead, it is a privilege, an opportunity to recognize the perils they encountered, the camaraderie they solidified, and the sacrifices they made for the restoration of global peace.

Sacrifice, a concept whose meaning has essentially become diluted with its frequent association with mass destruction and warfare, should not be regarded as a mere death on the battlefield. It is the abdication of one’s own life to defend a more significant cause. During the Second World War, more than 400,000 American soldiers were slain mercilessly at the hands of a brutal enemy on foreign soil. However, such a considerable loss of human life should not be interpreted as a number; these men did not willingly surrender their livelihoods on distant shores to be remembered by future generations as a statistic. Ultimately, each fallen soldier should be revered as an individual hero whose unwavering audacity allowed for the preservation of America’s freedom.

Ultimately, Mr. Callahan and thousands of other men lost their lives at a young age. However, their heroism and bravery will always be imprinted on the hearts of the American people; the nation itself would not be in existence today if not for every soldier’s exceptional perseverance and tenacity. Although they are no longer with us today, their memories will live on eternally, and we are forever grateful for their loyal service and selfless sacrifice.

1^st INFANTRY DIVISION - THE RED ONE

Activated/Activé	Normandy/Normandie
17 Jun 1917	Days of Combat/Jour de Combat  443
	Casualties/Victimes 20 659
Entered Combat/Entré au combat
8 Nov 1942 North Africa
Commanding Generals/Commandants généraux Maj. Gen. Donald Cubbison (Feb 41 - Aug 42) Maj. Gen. Terry de la Mesa Allen (Aug 42 - Jul 43) Maj. Gen. Clarence R. Huebner (Jul 43 - Dec 44) Maj. Gen. Clift Andrus (Dec 44 - Aug 46)	Campaigns/Campagnes Algeria-French Morocco (8 Nov 42 - 11 Nov 42) Tunisia (17 Nov 42 - 13 May 43) Sicily (9 Jul - 17 Aug 43) Normandy (6 Jun 44 - 24 Jul 44) Northern France (25 Jul 44 - 14 Sep 44) Rhineland (15 Sep 44 - 21 Mar 45) Ardennes-Alsace (16 Dec 44 - 25 Jan 45) Central Europe (22 Mar 45 - 11 May 45)
PLAN DE ROUTE DE LA CAMPAGNE de MEDITERANNEE - CAMPAIGN ROUTE MAP
PLAN DE ROUTE DE LA CAMPAGNE - CAMPAIGN ROUTE MAP
DIVISION CHRONICLE The 1st Infantry Division saw its first combat in World War II in North Africa, landing at Oran and taking part in the initial fighting, 8-10 November 1942. Elements then took part in seesaw combat at Maktar, Medjez el Bab, Kasserine Pass, Gafsa, El Guettar, Beja, and Mateur, 21 January-9 May 1943, helping secure Tunisia. The First was the first ashore in the invasion of Sicily, 10 July 1943 ; it fought a series of short, fierce battles on the island's tortuous terrain. When that campaign was over, the Division returned to England to prepare for the Normandy invasion. The First Division assaulted Omaha Beach on D-day, 6 June 1944, some units suffering 30 percent casualties in the first hour, and secured Formigny and Caumont in the beachhead. The Division followed up the St. Lo break-through with an attack on Marigny, 27 July 1944, and then drove across France in a continuous offensive, reaching the German border at Aachen in September. The Division laid siege to Aachen, taking the city after a direct assault, 21 October 1944. The First then attacked east of Aachen through Hurtgen Forest, driving to the Roer, and moved to a rest area 7 December for its first real rest in 6 months' combat, when the von Rundstedt offensive suddenly broke loose, 16 December. The Division raced to the Ardennes, and fighting continuously from 17 December 1944 to 28 January 1945, helped blunt and turn back the German offensive. Thereupon, the Division attacked and again breached the Siegfried Line, fought across the Roer, 23 February 1945, and drove on to the Rhine, crossing at the Remagen bridgehead, 15-16 March 1945. The Division broke out of the bridgehead, took part in the encirclement of the Ruhr Pocket, captured Paderborn, pushed through the Harz Mountains, and was in Czechoslovakia, at Kinsperk, Sangerberg, and Mnichov, when the war in Europe ended.	CHRONIQUE DE DIVISION La 1ère Division d'infanterie vit son premier combat en Afrique du Nord lors de la Seconde Guerre mondiale, débarquant à Oran et prenant part aux combats initiaux, du 8 au 10 novembre 1942. Les éléments participèrent ensuite aux combats en balançant à Maktar, Medjez el Bab, Col de Kasserine, Gafsa, El Guettar, Beja et Mateur, du 21 janvier au 9 mai 1943, contribuant à la sécurisation de la Tunisie. Le premier a été le premier à terre dans l'invasion de la Sicile, le 10 juillet 1943; il a combattu une série de batailles courtes et féroces sur le terrain tortueux de l'île. Quand cette campagne fut terminée, la Division revint en Angleterre pour se préparer à l'invasion de la Normandie. La première division a attaqué Omaha Beach le jour J, le 6 juin 1944, certaines unités subissant 30% de pertes au cours de la première heure et sécurisant Formigny et Caumont dans la tête de pont. La Division a suivi la percée de Saint-Lô avec une attaque sur Marigny, le 27 juillet 1944, puis a traversé la France dans une offensive continue, atteignant la frontière allemande à Aix-la-Chapelle en septembre. La Division a assiégé Aix-la-Chapelle après un assaut direct, le 21 octobre 1944. Le Premier a ensuite attaqué à l'est d'Aix-la-Chapelle par Hurtgen Forest, jusqu'à la Roer, et s'est installé dans une aire de repos le 7 décembre pour son premier repos. combat de mois, quand l'offensive de von Rundstedt se déchaîna subitement, le 16 décembre. La division a couru vers les Ardennes, et combat continuellement du 17 décembre 1944 au 28 janvier 1945, a aidé à émousser et à retourner l'offensive allemande. La Division attaqua de nouveau la ligne Siegfried, traversa la Roer, le 23 février 1945, et se dirigea vers le Rhin, traversant la tête de pont de Remagen, du 15 au 16 mars 1945. La division sortit de la tête de pont. dans l'encerclement de la poche de la Ruhr, capturé Paderborn, poussé à travers les montagnes du Harz, et était en Tchécoslovaquie, à Kinsperk, Sangerberg et Mnichov, lorsque la guerre en Europe a pris fin.

Arthur Palos

Charles J. McINTYRE

John E. CALLAHAN