Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Master Sergeant [then Sergeant First Class] Ronald Earl Callahan (ASN: RA-20604456), United States Army, for heroic achievement during ground operations against a hostile force as a member of Company C, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 19 May 1951, near Choga-dong, Korea, Sergeant Callahan and five men were protecting the left flank of their platoon which was in the attack. As the friendly battalion to the platoon’s left flank moved forward, it came under heavy and accurate enemy machine gun fire, which from that position could not be observed. Sergeant Callahan seeing this, left his men in position and moved forward about 250 yards where he could personally bring fire on the enemy. Fully exposing himself to hostile fire, he effectively fired his rifle on the enemy position causing one enemy casualty and the remainder to flee. The heroic action initiated by Sergeant Callahan, which enabled the friendly troops to advance, reflects the highest credit upon himself and the military service.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Master Sergeant

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    15th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    3d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    March 24, 1951

    Headquarters, EIGHTH U.S. Army, Korea, General Orders No. 27 (January 15, 1952)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Master Sergeant Ronald Earl Callahan (ASN: RA-20604456), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. Master Sergeant Callahan distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Uijongbu, Korea, on 24 March 1951. On that date, Sergeant Callahan’s platoon was assigned the mission of attacking and securing a group of heavily fortified hill positions from a numerically superior hostile force. As the friendly force advanced, it was subjected to a heavy volume of enemy automatic weapons fire. Upon reaching a point some seventy-five yards from the hostile emplacements, the enemy fire became so intense that further forward movement was impossible and the friendly troops were forced to seek what cover they could on the bare slope. Realizing that his men faced possible annihilation in their present untenable positions, Sergeant Callahan, without regard for his personal safety, left his position of cover and single-handedly charged toward the key enemy emplacement from which most of the devastating fire originated. Despite the fire being concentrated on him, he steadfastly moved forward, alternately firing his rifle and throwing grenades. Sergeant Callahan’s deadly accurate fire was responsible for the destruction of the enemy weapon and his bold assault enabled him to kill two of the hostile soldiers with his bayonet and to capture three. He then signaled his men to move forward and, distributing captured enemy grenades among the men, he led them in an assault against the remaining enemy positions. Throughout this action Sergeant Callahan remained where the fighting was heaviest, constantly urging them forward and inspiring them by his personal example of fearlessness until the objective was secured. The extraordinary heroism displayed by Master Sergeant Callahan reflects the highest credit upon himself and is in keeping with the fine traditions of the military service.