[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]
Date: 2023-04-20
Chamber: SENATE
Mr. SCOTT : 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 andMarine 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.