The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral David R. Callahan, United States Coast Guard, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commander, EIGHTH Coast Guard District, from May 2015 to August 2017. Masterfully leading an operational command spanning 26 states, the Nation’s vast inland river system, and an international maritime border with Mexico, he drove superior performance and strategic change across all missions. Greatly enriching and maturing the relationship with the Mexican government, he created a standardized approach to energy exploration, enhanced oil spill response plans and refined maritime boundary law enforcement protocols. Domestically, Rear Admiral Callahan leveraged partnerships to drive strategic change in Outer Continental Shelf safety and operationalized the implementation of groundbreaking, risk-based inspections, focusing on a paradigm shift from mere compliance to enhanced safety cultures and accountability. Rear Admiral Callahan’s progressive outreach to over 1,000 towing vessel industry leaders fostered understanding and compliance during the implementation of towing vessel inspections under Subchapter M, one of the broadest rulemakings in Coast Guard history. His proactive response to epic floods, simultaneously impacting the entire Mississippi River system, ensured the safety of hundreds of thousands of residents and preserved simultaneously impacting the entire Mississippi River system, ensured the safety of hundreds of thousands of residents and preserved the economic lifeblood of the Nation’s inland maritime transportation system. His accomplishments as District Commander culminate 35 years of exemplary service to the Coast Guard and our great nation. Rear Admiral Callahan’s leadership, dedication, and devotion to duty are most heartily commended and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Rear Admiral David R. Callahan, United States Coast Guard, was awarded a Third Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Coast GuardRank:
CaptainAction Date:
August 29 – September 25, 2005
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain David R. Callahan, United States Coast Guard, for outstanding meritorious service as the Commanding Officer, Aviation Training Center Mobile, Alabama, and Joint Commander of the Mobile Incident Command from 29 August to 25 September 2005, during Hurricane Katrina rescue operations. Following the landfall of the hurricane, Captain Callahan quickly recognized the severity and magnitude of the situation and pre-staged the largest Coast Guard aviation force ever assembled throughout the threatened region, with 43 Coast Guard aircraft and numerous aircraft from other services and agencies operating from Aviation Training Center Mobile. The strategically pre-positioned aviation resources descended upon the Gulf Coast through hurricane conditions to immediately engage in heroic rescue operations within hours after Katrina’s landfall. Despite serious storm damage to his base, he masterfully prioritized and directed immediate repairs. established temporary operations and communications centers, and provided comprehensive logistics support for over 2,000 responders from 20 agencies around the Nation, while directing around the clock flight operations. He skillfully organized aircrew and maintenance personnel from every aviation unit in the Coast Guard, forming them into a highly cohesive team that grew to the largest air station in Coast Guard history. Through his superior leadership, this massive maintenance program managed 36 helicopters and absorbed all of Air Station New Orleans’ maintenance requirements. This Herculean team effort produced helicopter dispatch rates above 90 percent, outperforming normal rates, allowing 1,193 sorties, over 2,200 flight hours, the rescue of 4,812 people and the delivery of thousands of tons of food and water during rescue and recovery efforts. In addition to aviation duties, Captain Callahan served as one of the Unified Commanders of the Mobile Incident Command and hosted their command post aboard Aviation Training Center Mobile. This command and control effort was critical to restoring the essential waterway infrastructure and safeguarding the vital Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi coastal areas. His inspired leadership was critical to the overall success of rescue operations. Captain Callahan’s ability, diligence, and devotion to duty are most heartily commended and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard.
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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Rear Admiral David R. Callahan, United States Coast Guard, was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States.
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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Rear Admiral David R. Callahan, United States Coast Guard, was awarded a Fourth Gold Star in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States.
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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Rear Admiral David R. Callahan, United States Coast Guard, was awarded a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States.