Paul L. Callahan, Capt. USN (Ret)
July 29, 1940 ~ December 21, 2023
Born in:
St. Paul, MN
Resided in:
McLean, VA
Paul L. Callahan
7/29/1940-12/21/2023
Paul Callahan passed away peacefully at home on December 21, 2023. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Ann (Putney) Callahan; children Megan Callahan (Stan Jurga, Jr.) and Michael Callahan (Joanna Hess); and grandchildren Madelyn and Emily Jurga and Ellison and Maja Callahan.
He was born in St. Paul, Minnesota to Paul A. Callahan and Mary (Beck) Callahan, the oldest of six children, Kathy (Williams), Thomas, Colleen (Schiltz), Kevin, and Patrick. He grew up in White Bear Lake, MN, attended Cretin High School and was graduated from White Bear Lake High School. There he learned the skills of ice skating, as well as a lifelong enjoyment of skiing, a joy he passed on to his children and grandchildren.
He was a graduate of the US Naval Academy, class of 1962, where he was on the varsity rifle team, and where he won the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars prize at graduation. By the time he graduated, he was often tutoring others in math and engineering, which were his strengths. He went on to Naval Nuclear Power School, Naval Submarine School, and became submarine qualified while on board his first sub, the USS Haddo in 1967. He eventually commanded two submarines, the USS Birmingham (SSN-695) and the USS Alaska (SSBN-732) each from new construction to launch. Paul completed his naval career in Washington, DC, attached to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Chief of Naval Operations, and the Office of the Chief of Naval Research. His awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (3), Meritorious Service Medal (2), Navy Achievement Medal, Navy Unit Commendation (2), Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy Expeditionary Medal, and a Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.
Following active duty in 1992, he worked for many years for The Pennsylvania State University Applied Research Laboratory in the DC area. He helped develop technology for new submarines and other areas of military operations. He always enjoyed learning about new innovations and thinking about how they could be applied in the real world.
In mid-life, he also became a flight student then Flight Instructor at the Andrews Air Force Base Aero Club, where he enjoyed the camaraderie of fellow flyers. He always enjoyed learning a new skill and passing it on to others. He could fix anything around the house and was especially at home under the hood of an automobile. His pride was restoring his 1971 Corvette.
As a grandfather “Beep” enjoyed spending time caring for and teaching his grandchildren. He loved inspiring a love of learning in them.
A celebration of life will be held at a future date. Burial is planned for Arlington National Cemetery. Details for each will be provided as soon as they are available.
Donations in Paul’s memory may be made to the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, where he received care. https://secure.jhu.edu/form/Kimmel.
Services
Graveside Service:
Arlington National Cemetery at a later date
1 Memorial Drive
Arlington , VA 22211
703-938-7440
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PaulL.Callahan, Capt. USN (Ret)Graveside Service
Graveside Service
1 Memorial Drive,Arlington , VA 22211
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May he forever fly high above the clouds
and Rest in Peace.
On behalf of our Board of Directors, Staff and Membership, I offer our condolences to the family of shipmate and Submarine Veteran CAPT Paul Callahan. We salute and thank CAPT Callahan for his years of service to his country in our nation’s submarine force. A copy of his obituary will be placed in the file of deceased submariners at our museum, and in our USS BIRMINGHAM (SSN 695) and USS ALASKA (SSBN 732) files. Rest your oars good and faithful servant, we have the watch. You now have the eternal fair winds and following seas you so rightly earned during your time here on earth. God Bless you for your service and may his love and grace comfort all of your family and friends left behind.
STSCS(SS) Keith F. Post (USN-Ret.), Executive Director
St. Marys Submarine Museum
102 St. Marys Street West
Post Office Box 5640
St. Marys Georgia 31558
Paul was my flight instructor at the LFRA Flying Club at College Park Airport and later Tipton Airport for my instrument and commercial ratings and he continued to be my safety and IPC check pilot for many years after that. He was an excellent instructor and mentor, but more than that, he became a good friend – always ready to take a call to debrief a flight and always up for a conversation with topics ranging across medicine and public health, aviation in all its forms, updates on our respective families, and politics. I’ll remember Paul fondly. My deepest condolences to the family, and for Paul tailwinds always.
Ensign Callahan reported aboard the USS Haddo SSN604 under new construction in 1963.He was responsible and ran the Sonar Division under Lt Hinkle.The Haddo was a special Submarine and our Wardroom produced 4 Admirals plus many Captains thanks to the leadership of our Officers and Crews.God Bless Him and his family,Sailor Rest your Oar.⚓️🧜♀️⚓️
I knew him as a fellow Naval Submarine League member after retirement. He always had a smile for all he met and many an insightful comment. I miss him greatly.
Met Paul in South Carolina a few years ago. Loved hearing his stories. Great sense of humor! Great memories. He is and will always be missed
I was seventeen when I joined the Navy as a “Kiddie Cruiser”. Ens. Callahan was probably only about four years older, and just out of the Academy. We were both sent to the USS Haddo SSN604. The Haddo was a special place with a special crew all handpicked by our CO J. G. Williams Jr. At the time it was the most advanced weapon in the world.
Mr. Callahan, the other officers, and the senior enlisted took us young kids and turned us into men and sailors.
One of my memories of Mr. Callahan was when we surfaced at sea. He was the officer and I was his look out. We hit a storm so bad that they closed the hatch below us to keep the water out that was coming over the sail. On wave hit me so hard it knocked the air out of me, like when a kid falls out of a tree and can’t breathe. We got walloped. It was like Forrest Gump and Lt. Dan in the hurricane.
At a reunion I asked now retired Capt. Callahan if it was just the 50 year old memory of a Leading Seaman or was it really that bad. He said he remembered and it really was that bad. It was the worst he had ever seen.
I’m recounting this because through it all he was absolutely fearless.
This fearless man had another facet. He was a great mentor because he was patient with your mistakes, considerate, understanding, and brilliant. He had another kind of strenght: the ability to be calm and soft when needed. It takes a strong man to be soft.p
He had it all.
Lance P. Andretta TMC(SS)
“Andy” Haddo 1962-1966