Info Sheet - Michael J. Callahan
Track Driver, C Troop, 3/4 Cav, 25th Inf Div, Jan 67 to Dec 67
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We interacted with Delta Troop (Centaurs) almost every day in some way. While on convoy duty they were usually above.
Since we operated outside of the base camp we got hot food delivered about once a week. While in the boonies we interacted with the Centaurs in coordinated attacks on suspected sites.
I was involved in a nighttime hot ambush where the Centaur gunships ran off our attackers. I can't remember if the "dust off" ships were theirs or somebody else's but we called for dust off's almost every week. Convoy vehicles hit mines. Cav vehicles hit mines . We also helped infantry units who got in trouble.
Dwight Birdwell and I served at the same time. He was in the third Plt I was in the 1st. I left a few months before he did. My last job in VN was as CPT Leo Virantt's jeep driver and RTO on his M113 for about 3 weeks before I went home. CPT Virantt was in command of C Trp during the Battle of Saigon.
The Centaur gunships and spooky were our savior's when we got in to trouble.
I went to Central Missouri University after my 3 years in the Army on the GI bill. I worked at CBIZ (Benifits and Insurance Services) while attending School. It was a great time for me. Soon kids started coming and somehow 42 years passed by. I had to deal with PTSD but nobody knew it was PTSD until the VA figured it out. Its been a great experience working with the KCVAMC (Kansas City VA Medical Center). I meet twice a month with other VN vets at the KCVAMC. It has been amazing watching these men grow and heal over the years. I have heard others say this so I don’t claim authorship but I would not trade my Military experiences for anything. It truly has been a focal point of my life.
Several years ago the VA classified me as 100% disabled. As a result I spend a great deal of time at the KCVAMC. I've met many Viet Nam veterans there. I've enjoyed my time at the VA.
I'm a life long native of Kansas City, MO. (We love the Royals!). I'm retired from CBIZ, an Accounting, Insurance and Human Resourse firm, after 42 years. My wife, Kathleen, and I have 6 children and 12 grandchildren.
I'm an avid woodworker so I spend a great deal of time in my shop , which was my plan when I retired. Life is good, I'm a better man because of my time in the US Army and especially the 3/4 Cav.