Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Joseph J. Callahan
LTC (R) Joseph J. Callahan Jr. earned a Bachelor Of Science Degree in Biology and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant at ETSU in 1969 in the Quartermaster Corps. 2LT Callahan deployed to Vietnam, assigned to Company C, Supply & Service of the 173rd Support Battalion, 173rd Airborne Brigade in the Cha Rang Valley. After duty in Vietnam, 1LT Callahan volunteered to serve as an active duty advisor to the 883rd Quartermaster Company Air Equipment Repair and Supply, on airborne status. In 1971, 1LT Callahan was promoted to Captain.
After completing the Quartermaster Officer Advanced Course at Ft Lee, VA, CPT Callahan was assigned to the 557th Quartermaster Co as Air Delivery Officer in Kaiserslautern, Germany. CPT Callahan assumed command of the 5th QM Detachment in 1975 and served as commander for two years. He also served as jumpmaster for monthly parachute jumps from an Air Force C-130 aircraft.
CPT Callahan attended the Defense Advanced Procurement Management Course at the Logistics Management Center, Ft Lee, VA, followed by assignment to the Defense Industrial Supply Center (DISC) in northeast Philadelphia, PA where he was assigned as a section chief. CPT Callahan was promoted to Major and reassigned as DISC branch chief. After a four-year joint duty assignment at DISC, Major Callahan reported to Headquarters, 19th Support Command in Taegu, South Korea. Major Callahan was later assigned as S-4 for the 5th Advanced Individual Training Brigade, Ft Dix, NJ. After two years, Major Callahan was reassigned as Chief of Plans, Training & Operations for the Ft Dix Directorate of Industrial Operations.
Major Callahan served as an Army Advisor to the 47th Infantry Division Support Command of the Minnesota National Guard, serving as principal advisor to the 47th Division Support Command Headquarters. He helped develop an Army Readiness Training Evaluation Program (ARTEP) for the 47th DISCOM units. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in 1987. LTC Callahan was assigned as a Quality Assurance Systems and Contracting Evaluation Officer in the Directorate of Quality Assurance, Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Headquarters in Alexandria, VA.
After 20 years of military service, LTC Callahan retired in 1990 and worked with Virginia Employment Commission for twenty years and retired in 2011. After retirement, he donated many personal items to the patients at Walker Reed National Medical Center to make their stay a little more comfortable. LTC participated many years in the Wreaths Across America program. LTC Callahan enjoyed sailing and reading, but his greatest passion was running. He ran virtually every week of his life. At the age of 65, he ran the Army Ten Miler, placing second in his age group. LTC Callahan proudly wore a shirt with the ETSU logo for each race. His alma mater had set him forth on the journey of his life of exemplary hard work, perseverance and a commitment to the greater good.
Decorations, medals, badges, citations and campaign ribbons awarded: Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (2OLC), National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal (2), Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (2), Vietnam Campaign Medal, Republic of Vietnam Medal, Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, Parachutist Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, Overseas Service Bars (2), Defense Superior Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and Parachute Rigger Badge.