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Size | About 470 items (2.5 linear feet) |
Abstract | The Callahan family of Vinton, Va., included brothers Thomas William Callahan and Warren E. Callahan. Thomas Callahan served in the United States Marines (1st Marines) during World War II in Japan, 1943-1945; Warren served in the United States Army (32nd Infantry) in Japan and Korea during the Korean War, 1949-1951. The collection includes war-time letters from Thomas William Callahan and Warren E. Callahan. Thomas's letters, 1943-1945, follow him from the Marine barracks at Parris Island, S.C., to Japan, and finally to Portsmouth, Va. The letters, about half of which date from January to May 1944, mainly describe everyday military life, including food, weather, and health issues. Two of the letters are from cousin Bill Sheaff, who fought in the war with a different unit. Warren's letters, January 1949-October 1951, follow him from Fort Jackson, S.C., to Japan and Korea. The letters mainly detail everyday military life in training camps and overseas. He also described civilian life in Korea and Japan. Three photocopies of wartime photographs accompany Warren's final letter, 20 October 1951. |
Creator | Callahan family. |
Curatorial Unit | Southern Historical Collection |
Language | English. |
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Brothers Thomas William Callahan (1925-2003) and Warren E. "Bud" Callahan (1926-1987) were born in Roanoke County, Va., the sons of Julian (1898-1990) and Florence Tyler Callahan (1902-1978). The Callahan family lived in Vinton, Va., a small town near the Blue Ridge Parkway on Route 24. The family moved within Vinton between wars. Thomas's World War II letters are addressed to Giles Avenue in Vinton; Warren's Korean War letters are addressed to Bowman Street, also in Vinton.
Thomas Callahan served in the United States Marines (1st Marines) during World War II, 1943-1945, fighting in Japan. After the war, he worked for Roanoke Iron and Bridge Works. He was a member of Thrasher Memorial United Methodist Church and the V.F.W. Post #4522. He married Zelma Callahan and had two daughters, Sara and Judy. Warren Callahan served in the United States Army (32nd Infantry) during the Korean War, 1949-1951. Both brothers enjoyed fishing.
Back to TopThe collection includes war-time letters from Callahan family of Vinton, Va., brothers Thomas William Callahan with the United States Marines (1st Marines) during World War II and Warren E. Callahan ("Bud") with the United States Army (32nd Infantry) during the Korean War. Thomas's letters, 1943-1945, follow him from the Marine barracks at Parris Island, S.C., to Japan, and finally to Portsmouth, Va. About half of the letters date from January to May 1944 and are addressed to Julian, Florence, and Warren Callahan. The letters mainly describe everyday military life, including food, weather, and health issues. Two of the letters are from cousin Bill Sheaff, who fought in the war with a different unit. Warren's letters, January 1949-October 1951, follow him from Fort Jackson, S.C., to Japan and Korea. The letters are addressed to Julian, Florence, and Thomas Callahan. The letters mainly detail everyday military life in training camps and overseas. He also described civilian life in Korea and Japan. Three photocopies of wartime photographs accompany Warren's final letter, 20 October 1951. There are negatives for these photographs, but no positive prints.
Back to TopArrangement: chronological.
Letters written during World War II by Pfc. Thomas William Callahan (Co. F, 1st Marines) to Julian, Florence, and Warren Callahan of Vinton, Va. The letters trace Thomas's travels throughout the war, including stops in Parris Island, S.C.; Camp LeJeune, N.C.; Gainesville, Ga.; Montgomery, Ala.; New Orleans, La.; Dublin, Tex.; Belen, N.M.; Camp Elliott, Calif.; Tinian; Okinawa, Japan; and Portsmouth, Va.
The letters date from December 1941 to November 1943. There is at least one letter from every month, although appoximately half of them date from February to May 1944. The letters mainly describe everyday military life, including food, weather, and health issues. Thomas Callahan also pondered what he would do at home after the war. There are also two letters, June and July 1945, from Bill Sheaff, a cousin who fought in Germany.
Folder 1 |
December 1943 |
Folder 2-17
Folder 2Folder 3Folder 4Folder 5Folder 6Folder 7Folder 8Folder 9Folder 10Folder 11Folder 12Folder 13Folder 14Folder 15Folder 16Folder 17 |
1944 |
Folder 18-24
Folder 18Folder 19Folder 20Folder 21Folder 22Folder 23Folder 24 |
January-November 1945 |
Folder 25 |
Undated |
Arrangement: chronological.
Letters written during the Korean War by Sgt. Warren E. Callahan (Hq Co, 32nd Infantry) to Julian, Florence, and Thomas Callahan of Vinton, Va. The letters trace Warren's travels throughout the war, including stops in Fort Jackson, S.C.; Fort Benning, Ga.; Camp Campbell, Ky.; Camp Stoneman, Calif.; Camp Drake, Japan; and Korea. During the last few months, Warren moved back and forth between Korea and Japan.
The letters date from January 1949 to October 1951. There are no letters February-August 1950. There are at least two letters from all other months. Also included are three photocopies of photographs that accompany Warren's final letter, 20 October 1951. There are negatives for these photographs, but no positive prints. The letters mainly detail everyday military life in training camps and overseas. He also described civilian life in Korea and Japan.
Folder 26-33
Folder 26Folder 27Folder 28Folder 29Folder 30Folder 31Folder 32Folder 33 |
1949 |
Folder 34-40
Folder 34Folder 35Folder 36Folder 37Folder 38Folder 39Folder 40 |
1950 |
Folder 41-52
Folder 41Folder 42Folder 43Folder 44Folder 45Folder 46Folder 47Folder 48Folder 49Folder 50Folder 51Folder 52 |
January-October 1951 |
Items separated include negatives (P-5134/1-3) for the photocopies of photographs attached to the 20 October 1951 letter. There are no positive prints of these photographs.
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