Brian M. Callahan

The son of Richard and Eileen Callahan, Brian was born in Queens and grew up in Manhasset, NY. He graduated from Saint Mary's High School and completed three semesters at C.W. Post College on Long Island before leaving to enlist in the United States Army at the age of 20 years old.

Brian's first duty station was in Washington, D.C. as a member of the "Old Guard", 1st Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment as an Escort to the President. Soon after, wanting to do more for his country, he transferred to a combat assignment in Vietnam as a member of Company B, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Air). Brian valued this service highly and achieved the rank of Specialist 4. During his tour of duty, on a routine mission in the area of Bồng Sơn Vietnam, Brian's company was ambushed by North Vietnamese soldiers and he sustained wounds as a result of a Vietcong grenade and spent the next 18 months in the hospital. Brian's military awards and decorations include the Sharpshooter Badge M14 Rifle, Marksman Badge M14 Rifle, Expert Badge M60, National Defense Service Medal, and Vietnam Service Medal. On June 2, 1970, for the wounds that he received in action in the Republic of Vietnam on February 13, 1966, Brian was awarded the Purple Heart. He was retired from the Armed Forces of the United States on March 1, 1971 as a permanently disabled veteran.

Brian is survived by his stepchildren Michael, Steven, and Donna DeNicola and grandchildren Adele, Brandon, Caitlyn, Dylan, and Peter DeNicola, and by his sister Patricia "Honey" Brennan (husband Donald), brothers Kieran Callahan (wife Peggy), Noel Callahan (wife Sue), and Dennis Callahan.

Brian will be laid to rest with military funeral honors beside his deceased wife, W. Diane DeNicola, at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Fisher House Foundation, https://www.fisherhouse.org/get-involved/ways-to-give or the Wounded Warrior Project https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate