The Callahans: The Complete Series

by Gordon Ryan

  Katrina just smiled gently. “Our men are who they are, Tess. They do what they think is right. Often they’re wrong. Quite often, actually. But we need to support them. I don’t like Tommy’s choice of profession, but I’m so very proud of him. I always have been. He’s done what he thought was right. And you and Seby have taught Michael to do the same. If he chooses to serve his country, you have to support him, and he has to know that you support him. It’s okay if he sees that you’re afraid for him, that you hate what he has to do, but he must have our support. Do you understand that?”

  Tess remained silent and then placed her head against his knee once again, the tears openly flowing. He stroked her hair for a moment and then looked up at Seby. “We’d best go.”

  Chapter Ten

  U.S. Naval Installation

  Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

  December, 1941

  Tommy waited for three days on Treasure Island Naval Station before he was able to obtain transport to Hawaii. He was required to travel to an Army airfield north of San Francisco where he convinced the flight officer that he needed to reach Wake Island before they were attacked. A flight of four B-17 aircraft was departing for the Islands, and Tommy, plus two Naval officers, was able to be added to the manifest.

  It had been four days since the attack, but on the final leg of the flight, crossing between Maui and Oahu, they could see the thick smoke billowing several miles into the sky above Pearl Harbor. The aircraft were given immediate clearance to land on Ford Island, and were told to approach from seaward to avoid jittery Army defense positions that had been on constant alert since the opening attack. Every aircraft in the sky was a potential enemy and recognition of American planes was lacking.

  On the ground, Tommy obtained transport to naval headquarters, where he reported to the Marine detachment duty officer, Major Henderson.

  “I’m Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Callahan, Major. I’m traveling under orders to assume command of the 1st Defense Battalion, Wake Island. I need to arrange transport to my command.”

  The major hesitated for a moment, checking something on his desk, then responded.

  ‘Sir, Major Connors has been placed in command of the reinforcement detachment. The convoy is leaving in, uh, about six hours. The Marines are already aboard the John Harvey.”

  “They’re still in harbor?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Major, I will be aboard the John Harvey within the hour. Who’s in command here at present?”

  “Sir, that would be Colonel Tufts, but he’s in hospital. He was wounded on Sunday.”

  “And Major Connors? Was he already part of the battalion?”

  “No, sir. He was assigned when the reinforcements were loaded aboard, since you hadn’t arrived.”

  “Fine. Please notify him of his relief and I will assume command of the battalion.”

  “Sir, I don’t think we can. . .”

  “Major, I will be aboard that ship within the hour, and I will be in command of my battalion. Is that clear?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Major Connors is welcome to remain aboard should he choose, but I believe he will already have an assignment, as I understand it, and Major Devereaux is at Wake Island, prepared to assume executive officer duties, is that not correct?”

  “Yes, sir, it is. I’ll cut your travel orders immediately, Colonel. Would you like to speak with Colonel Tufts?”

  “Not necessary, Major. I won’t bother him in the hospital. Is that all you need from me?”

  “A copy of your orders, Colonel, so I can prepare an amendment to authorize travel aboard the John Harvey as commanding officer.”

  Tommy gave him a copy of his orders, then immediately left the office, directing his driver to take him to the pier, where he boarded the harbor vessel shuttling supplies and personnel to the six-ship convoy that was preparing to sail to the relief of Wake Island personnel. On board the vessel, he met Major Connors, who was relieved of command and happy to return to his infantry unit, departing on the same harbor shuttle that had brought Tommy to the John Harvey.

  Forty-eight hours previously, after an inspirational speech from President Franklin Roosevelt to a joint session of Congress, the United States had declared war on the Empire of Japan. To assure his presence with the reinforcement detachment, Tommy had not even conferred with the naval commanders in Hawaii, using the age-old military premise: it’s easier to apologize than to obtain permission.

  On December eleventh , at 3:40 a.m. within six hours of landing in Hawaii, Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Callahan III was headed in harm’s way. Pacific Plan Orange, initiated during Tommy’s tour of duty in Washington over a decade earlier, had been implemented. The first of the forward-operating defense battalions was already under attack. Other installations on Guam and in the outlying Philippines had surrendered to overwhelming Japanese forces. Barely ten days ago, Tommy had sat watching the annual Army/Navy football game, and in the intervening week, America had joined what was rapidly becoming a world at war.

  Several hours after the convoy had cleared the harbor entrance and was sailing south of Kauai, the western-most island of the Hawaiian chain, Tommy went to the bridge to introduce himself to the ship’s captain. His delay was intentional to avoid the possibility of being disembarked at the discretion of the captain. Escorted to the small confines of the troop transport bridge structure, the Marine sentry directed him to a slightly built, older man in khakis.

  “Captain, I’m Lieutenant Colonel Callahan in command of the Marine detachment. I boarded at the last moment without the ability to advise you of my arrival.”

  The captain shook his hand. “Lieutenant Commander Watkins, Colonel. What happened to Major Connors?”

  “I relieved him, Commander. I was the originally assigned battalion commander, but only arrived in Hawaii yesterday evening. Is there any last-minute intelligence I should have? Are you aware of the condition of the naval or Marine detachment on Wake?”

  “Let’s go to my cabin,,” he said, stepping to the rear of the bridge and passing through a small hatchway into a small room with a single bunk and a chair. “Have a seat, Colonel.” The naval officer sat on the side of his bed.

  “We’ve got four hundred and seventeen Marines aboard, plus a hundred and eighty-six of my own crew. We also have several transportation vehicles in support of your Marines. The other ships are carrying food, medical supplies, and ammunition. Ten days ago, a Marine aviation unit arrived on Wake with a dozen planes, so they have some defense capability.”

  The commander paused for a moment, and Tommy caught his hesitancy.

  “And?”

  “The last radio report indicated that most of those planes were destroyed when the Japanese aircraft arrived.”

  “So they’re already under assault and were caught unprepared.”

  “Last reports from Wake indicate they’ve been attacked by air bombardment. That would likely be preliminary to an invasion from the sea. We have no positive word, but radio contact indicates that most of the Marine planes were caught on the ground. Colonel, we’ve got about three or four days hard sailing—more if we have to maneuver to avoid submarines. There’s no assurance we can arrive in time, but I’ll do everything in my power to deliver you and your men to Wake Island. However, I’m not in command of the relief convoy, and intelligence reports indicate a Japanese naval force is approaching the island.”

  “Is there another combat task force available to defend?”

  “We’re it, I’m afraid. We’ve got two destroyers and a cruiser, plus several transport vessels with the men and supplies. Not much in the way of an offensive capability.”

  “I see,” Tommy said. “I’ll convene my officers and see what preparations were made before my arrival. Can you contact the convoy commander to advise of my arrival?”

  “We’re under strict radio silence, but I’ll send a message on the signal lamp.”

  “Thank you, Commander. Please advise me if you have any
further word from Wake.”

  “Will do, Colonel. You’ll be quartered with my XO, Lieutenant Jones, in his cabin.”

  “That’ll be fine. Thank you.”

  Aboard the U.S.S. John Harvey

  West of Hawaii

  December, 1941

  Sixty hours after departing Pearl Harbor, Lieutenant Commander Watkins summoned Colonel Callahan to the bridge. The weather had turned nasty and the sea was roiling, the John Harvey wallowing like a drunken sailor.

  “Colonel Callahan, there’s no easy way to say this, but we’re turning back to Pearl. Admiral Petty has received word of a possible Japanese battle task force, and Wake has reported spotting over a dozen ships off the coast. The admiral can’t risk our inferior force against those odds.”

  “Then Wake is doomed,” Tommy said calmly.

  “I’m afraid so. We all knew that was a possibility. From one perspective, there are over four hundred Marines below decks that will survive to fight another battle. Without stronger naval support, they could not have turned the tide at Wake.”

  Tommy nodded. “Strategically speaking, that’s true, Commander. But it doesn’t make abandoning those sailors and Marines any easier. Over eight hundred U.S. military personnel and a thousand or more civilians will spend the war in prison camp, if they’re not killed outright.”

  This time Watkins nodded. “That’s probably correct. However sudden, we’re at war, Colonel. Death will become part of our daily fare. I had enough the last time, but here we are again.”

  Tommy could see by the man’s age he was a re-tread from the Great War and had probably returned to the Navy sometime during the past year in response to the pending emergency.

  “We’ll be back to Pearl in fifty-five hours,” Watkins said. “Is there anything else I can do for you, Colonel?”

  “Thank you, Commander Watkins. And my appreciation for your efforts to get my detachment to Wake.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Valhalla – Home of Thomas & Katrina Callahan

  Salt Lake City, Utah

  December, 1941

  “Go up and see him, Mike. He’s in his study,” Katrina said.

  “Are you sure I’m not disturbing him, Grandma?”

  “Get along with you.” She chuckled. “He’ll be glad for the interruption. Here, take him a couple of these fresh cookies and a few for yourself.”

  “Thanks, Grandma,” the young man replied, taking the plate and heading for the stairs. On the fourth level of the home, he knocked knocked on the open door frame and entered the sanctuary of the patriarch of the family.

  “Hey, Granddad. I hope I’m not disturbing you. Grandma said to come up and sent a peace offering. Some fresh, warm cookies.”

  Tom looked up from the book he was reading and rose to greet his grandson. “Glad to see you, Mike. Cookies are always welcome. To what do I owe the honor of this visit?”

  “I need your help, Granddad.”

  “Sounds serious. Grab a seat and spin me a tale, young fella.”

  The boy, now twenty-two and as strapping as his uncle Tommy had been at his age, took two of the cookies and sat in a leather chair in front of an impressive wall of books. “Have you actually read all these, Granddad?” he said, admiring the volumes.

  “Most of them, Mike,” Tom replied, knowing the younger man was stalling. “This has been my retreat since your mother was a toddler. She spent a lot of time in here with her dolls in those days.”

  “Umm,” Mike mumbled as he chewed on a warm, moist chocolate chip cookie. “It’s Mom I want to talk about. I thought maybe you could, uh, maybe you could help me tell her something.”

  “She doesn’t listen to you anymore?” Tom asked .

  “Not seriously. Especially on this subject. It’s taboo.”

  “Just spit it out, Mike. What’s it all about?”

  “I’ve joined the Marines,” he blurted. “I’m going to Quantico in two weeks, then to pilot’s training. I’m going to fly fighters in the Marines. I told Uncle Tommy about it when he was here.”

  “And your mom and dad don’t know yet?” Tom asked, a serious tone now in his voice.

  “I think Dad has an idea, but Mom won’t even discuss it.”

  “And you’ve signed the papers. It’s a done deal?”

  Mike nodded. “Yes, sir. I’m going to be a Marine second lieutenant.”

  “Well, I can see your dilemma. You need a place to hide for a few days, right?”

  “Granddad, I’m serious. I don’t want to lie to Mom. I never have.” He hesitated, smiled briefly, and laughed. “Well, almost never. But she’ll get really mad about this. She insists I go forward with medical school, but we’re at war, Granddad. I have to do my part. Uncle Tommy is already out there, doing his part.”

  Tom nodded. “It’s his chosen profession, much to my displeasure, but I admire his commitment. And I admire your desire to serve your country. Ever since the Church brought all our missionaries out of Europe, I knew we were in it for the long haul. It was only a matter of time. How can I help?”

  “Well, I though perhaps you could talk to Mom.”

  Tom shook his head. “Not my place, Mike. If you want to be a Marine, you need to be able to face your mother before you can prepare to face the Japanese or the Germans. It’s time to fess up. But I’ll do this much. How about I invite everyone over for dinner this Saturday night and we can be there when you tell her? Maybe she won’t get quite so angry with everyone present.”

  “Would you do that, Granddad? That would be great.”

  “Consider it done. Have you told Grandma?”

  Michael shook his head again. “No, sir. She’s second only to Mom on my ‘beware’ list.”

  “That formidable, is she?”

  Mike gave a broad grin. “You taught me that, Granddad. I’ve seen you knuckle under.”

  “Me?” Tom said, pointing his finger at himself. “Me?”

  “Thank you, Granddad. I think this will make it much easier.”

  “Mike, your mother will never accept this. I’m sure you understand that, but a mother never does. War is a mother’s worst nightmare. She loves your uncle with all her heart, and now her son will double the fear in her heart.”

  “Well, the other three kids are girls, She won’t have to worry about them.”

  “I’ll talk to Grandma and arrange a family dinner. Are you comfortable with your decision?”

  Mike hesitated for several long moments, taking another cookie from the plate. “If I’m honest, I’m a bit afraid, Granddad. But I suppose we all are. Uncle Tommy said he was and I thought he was the bravest man I know.”

  “There’s nothing wrong with being afraid. How we handle that fear is the big question. We love you, and we’ll do everything we can to see that you do well. And, Mike, don’t forget the Lord and your prayers.”

  “I know, Granddad. I know.”

  Office of the Commandant

  Marine Corps Headquarters

  Washington, D.C.

  January, 1941

  “Archie, I’ve giving you command of the 1st Division. As we discussed last week, the big thrust option is out. Naval units to engage in direct assault on the Japanese homeland are non-existent. I want you to put together the men and material to mount amphibious operations in the Pacific. Understand me clearly—we’re going to face strong opposition from the Army. MacArthur wants complete control of the Pacific theater and no Marine force larger than a regiment. It’s just like the last war. He wants the Marines limited to a ‘hit-and-run’ strategy, small-unit operations only, with the Army in sole control of major offensive operations. The Philippines can’t hold out for long, that’s certain, so things will change dramatically when they go under.”

  General Thomas Holcomb, Commandant of the Marine Corps, paused for a moment, then continued his verbal orders to Brigadier Alexander ‘Archie” Vandegrift. “So, your orders will reflect ‘minor amphibious operations.’ That will undoubtedly change as the situation d
evelops. Just be ready to go when the time comes. The Japs are determined to move as far down as Australia, and we have to find a way to prevent that.”

  “Where are we headed, General?”

  “I’m pulling various elements together now to form a fully functional division. The 1st will go to New Zealand to train and prepare for operations in early ’43. Personally, I believe we’ll be in action long before that time.”

  “Do the New Zealanders know we’re coming?”

  “Diplomatic discussions are underway now. Most of the Kiwi military are in North Africa. They haven’t the resources at home to defend their islands, nor to mount a campaign in the South Pacific. Same thing for the Australians. It’s become a two-front war now, and Roosevelt and Churchill have split the campaign. The Marines will concentrate on the Pacific theater. We haven’t defined a target yet, but airpower is the key. We need airbases in the islands, then we can leapfrog the islands north, just like Plan Orange envisioned fifteen years ago. Then, once the Navy completes the newer class of battleships and we put more carriers on the water, we can bring the fight to the Japanese homeland. In the meantime . . . well, Archie, you know the drill.”

  “When do we go?”

  Holcomb rose and stepped to his desk, picking up a file and returning to his seat. “I’ve got an officer, Lieutenant Colonel Callahan, a Great War vet, out in Hawaii. He was due to command the 1st Defense Battalion on Wake, but they were unable to reinforce before they surrendered. He also has ties in New Zealand. I’m going to order him down to Wellington as your advance man to arrange training facilities and support. Do you know Callahan?”