Kern County Obituaries

James Daniel Callahan

Submitted by Don Stowell; 13 Feb 2008

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Mojave Desert News; 17 Jan 1946

MOJAVE PAYS TRIBUTE TO LOCAL BOY

As Jan. 26, 1946, draws near it is hoped that the people of Mojave will hold 
a thought in their hearts on that day for one of Mojave's boys that did his 
job in our recent war. . did it well . . . and didn't come home. We ask this 
because Jan. 26 is the birth date anniversary of a young fellow who called us
 all, "friend" . . . . Lieut. Jimmy Callahan.

To the Army Air Forces, he was 1st Lieut. James Daniel Callahan, 0-821838, 
Flight Commander, 4th Fighter Squadron, 52nd Fighter Group, but to us he was 
just the boy with the engaging smile and dark, flashing eyes that we had seen 
many times on the football field, on the basketball floor, . and behind the 
counter at one of the local markets. . . just plain “Jimmy.”

Jim was born in Howe, Oklahoma in 1922 and moved with his family to Mojave in 
June 1936. He soon became one of' the most well-liked boys in Mojave and was 
one of the top athletes in his graduating class of 1939 at Lancaster High.

In the summer of 1941 Jimmy was moved by something that might have been the 
reflection of the world's complete unrest. .. so, like many other young men of 
his age all over the nation, Jimmy quit his job and enlisted in the Army Air Corps, 
in September of that year.After some months of training as an aircraft mechanic, 
this same restlessness urged Jimmy to wrangle an appointment as an Aviation Cadet, 
and he entered flight training in 1943. to be graduated at Napier Field, Alabama, 
as a Second Lieutenant, .Air Corps, on Jan. 8, 1844.

Jim's graduation from flying school came at a time when the military situation 
necessitated shipping more and more young pilots into battle more quickly than 
usual, so only four months later. Jimmy was a part of the 52nd Fighter Group, 
in Italy. For the next few months Jimmy participated, in many aerial attacks on 
targets in Italy, Southern Europe, and the Balkan countries flying his P-51 as 
part of the protection for heavy bombers.

Returning from one of these missions to Vienna, Austria, Jim stayed behind with his 
flight to cover a crippled B-24 that was trying desperately to nurse its sputtering 
engines back to an Italian base. Suddenly a German fighter, a Messerschmitt 109 dove 
out of the sun and tried to finish off the straggling bomber but without success, 
because Jimmy was on his tail before the German could fire his guns. The German tried 
to break off his attack but Jim's P-51 followed the Jerry in a screaming dive down to 
tree-top level where at point blank range-Jimmy literally shot the Me. 109 to pieces, 
causing it to crash and disintegrate in an open field. For this and other actions in 
the face the armed enemy, Jim was awarded the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters.

Armistice Day, 1944, after having completed 35 such combat missions, Jim was returning 
from Czechoslovakia with his fighter. Group when they encountered bad weather over the 
Adriatic Sea, off the coast of Yugoslavia. While flying with his instruments in the 
clouds, the pilots of the group heard Jim call over the radio that he was having 
mechanical difficulty with his plane and was preparing to bail out. His wingman dropped 
down to zero altitude and saw Jimmy's parachute enter the water. Jim was seen to wave 
to the circling plane but his 'chute soon collapsed and his companion was unable to 
keep Jim in sight due to the murky visibility.

The circling P-51 remained in the area until shortage of fuel compelled it to leave. 
A rescue boat had been dispatched to the area. . but no trace of Jimmy or his plane 
was ever found.

Just another war story? To some perhaps. But to us it's the story of a great loss to 
a friendly family of Mojave, Mrs. Ethel Callahan, and her sons, Billy Joe and Bobby.

So on Jan.26, please, just a thought for one of Mojave's boys who added all he possessed 
to the swelling flood of victory and freedom. . .the boy with the big smile. . 
Jimmy Callahan.

NOTE: Photo At: http://www.calarchives4u.com/photos/kern/