[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 66 (Thursday, April 20, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1291-S1292]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO CAPTAIN JOHN H. CALLAHAN

 Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Mr. President, CAPT John Callahan is a 
native of Tampa, FL, and presently assigned to Naval Medical Readiness 
and Training Command Pensacola, FL.
  He began his career by enlisting in October 1982 and completing Navy 
Boot Camp, Great Lakes, IL; Fleet Marine Force Training, Camp 
Pendleton, CA; and, Preventive Medicine Technician School, Oakland, CA.
  His enlisted assignments include Naval Hospital Pensacola, Naval 
Mobile Construction Battalion 133, and Disease Vector Ecology Control 
Center Jacksonville, FL. His enlisted deployments include U.S.S. 
Lexington; U.S.S. Ashland; Rota, Spain; Okinawa, Japan; Pohang, South 
Korea; and, Subic Bay, Philippines.
  In 1995, he was promoted to chief petty officer, a significant 
highlight of his enlisted career. After selection to the Medical 
Service Corps In-Service Procurement Program, he completed the Tri-
Service Physician Assistant Program, graduating magna cum laude George 
Washington University bachelor of science, resulting in commission as 
an ensign in 1998. In 2004, he was awarded the master of physician 
assistant studies, family medicine, from the University of Nebraska, 
graduating summa cum laude.
  His officer assignments include Naval Hospital Puerto Rico; Naval 
Branch Medical Clinic Meridian, MS; Naval Branch Medical Clinic Indian 
Head, MD; Naval Branch Medical Clinic Naval Air Station, Pensacola; 
Naval Branch Medical Clinic Naval Air Technical Training Center, 
Pensacola; Naval Hospital Pensacola; and Naval Hospital Rota Spain. In 
addition, while leading Medium Medical Team No. 5, he recently provided 
extended COVID relief and support for Billings Clinic in Montana and 
Bellin Clinic in Green Bay, WI. His commissioned deployments include Al 
Anbar Province, Iraq; Djibouti, Africa; Combined Forces Special 
Operations Command--Forward, Qatar; and Combined Task Force 53, 
Bahrain.
  He is the only hand-selected physician assistant to serve upon 
special joint congressional details--State of the Union 2006, State of 
the Union 2008, Presidential Inauguration 2009, State of the Union 
2010, Presidential Inauguration 2013, and State of the Union 2023. 
Interim dates of special joint congressional details were precluded due 
to operational service obligations.
  In 2019, he was selected for captain, a significant achievement of 
his naval career. His military decorations include the Defense 
Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (3 awards), Navy 
and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (6 awards), Navy and

[[Page S1292]]

Marine Corps Achievement Medal (5 awards), and various other personal 
and unit awards.
  His military career has been successful due to the confidence and 
support of Melonie, his wife and best friend of 30 years. He also has 
two supportive sons, who are both Eagle Scouts--Caleb and Zachary. 
Captain Callahan was awarded his Eagle Scout in 1982, 7 months prior to 
his initial enlistment.
  As a Navy veteran and the son of a World War II veteran, I know 
firsthand the sacrifices made by our brave men and women in uniform and 
their families. Today, we honor CAPT John Callahan who willingly risked 
his life to protect our freedoms and fight for our God-given rights. 
For that, we owe him endless gratitude.
  Thank you for your service, and may God bless you.

                          ____________________