John W. Callaghan passed away on February 6, 2015 at The Johnson Center, Falcons Landing. He can best be described as a loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather, husband and friend to all and a dedicated soldier.

His later years were spent as a true asset to Falcons Landing residents, where he and Dooley, his wife of nearly 65 years, resided for the past 18 years. While at Falcons Landing he served on many committees both as a member and chairman. An example of his energetic and prodigious efforts to support his community can be seen is his work on such committees as the Falcons Landing Council, the Army-Navy Football Game TV and Tailgate Party (the founding member), Army Ball (founding member), Catholic Chapel Committee Chairman, Walking Group (founding member), The Distinguished West Point Graduate Committee, the West Point "Castle Award" committee and as the Class of '46 Scribe ("The Word Mechanic"), Meals on Wheels and many more. Clearly his selfless support of others will be missed and has left a legacy of service.

His penchant for dedication to his community and country was imprinted early in his life. John was born July 10, 1924 in Lawrence Massachusetts. In high school he was a featured writer for the Lawrence Eagle-Tribune, the city's leading news paper. John, an excellent student, began his college matriculation at Dartmouth. He entered in 1941 with the class of 1945. While there he majored in Math and Physics, was a Math tutor, Green Key Honor Society member, elected as Class Treasurer and a member of the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity. For a short period John and his older brother Gene overlapped as Dartmouth students until Gene accepted an appointment to West Point with the Class of '44. With the country at war, and, like his older brother, John received and accepted an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point with the Class of 1946.

John graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1946, and began a very distinguished 30-year career in the Army. John held command and Army/Joint Staff assignments in the U.S., Japan, Germany, Korea, Taiwan and Vietnam during the height of the Cold War. The highlights of his career include tours as a company commander in the 21st Infantry Regiment (Gimlets) in Japan (WWII Army of Occupation) 1947-1949 and company commander in the 3rd Infantry Regiment (Old Guard) at Forts Myer/McNair 1949-1950 whereupon he met his future wife Virginia (Dooley) Timberman. Two dates later John proposed to Dooley. John and Dooley were married at FT Benning in 1950 and soon left for Germany where John was assigned to the 12th Infantry Regiment. John assumed command of H Company, 2nd Battalion,12th Infantry. Following command of his third company, John took on the job as S3 (Operations Officer) of the 1st Battalion 12th Infantry, then the Assistant Division G1. John culminated his Germany tour as the Aide-de-camp to Major General Harper, Commanding General, 4th Infantry Division. After completing more than 2 years as an aide to General Harper. John was selected for CGSC at FT Leavenworth. His next assignment was to Taiwan as an advisor to the Republic of China's Army Reserves. By 1959 the Callaghan's were on their way back stateside to the Pentagon in the DA G-1. In the early 1960s, John did a one year separation hardship tour to Korea. His initial assignment was the Battle Group Executive Officer for 2nd Battle Group, 3rd Infantry Regiment (Old Guard), Camp Kaiser, Korea. Towards the end of his tour he assumed command of the group with the task of reconfiguring the organization into the 2nd Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment (Buffalos). In 1963 he took command of the 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment (Red Warriors), 4th Infantry Division, FT Lewis. As the Red Warrior Chief, he deployed his battalion to Alaska to participate in Operation Polar Siege. After command he remained in the 4th Infantry Division as the G1 until his next assignment as the J3, US Forces Japan at Fuchu Air Force Base just outside of Tokyo. The tour in Japan was cut short with a combat assignment to Viet Nam in 1966 where he was the Senior Advisor for to the 22nd ARVN Division Headquartered near Qui Nhon. John led the advisory team on combined operations with the 1st Cavalry Division operating in the Bin Dinh Province. For his actions in Viet Nam he was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, Legion of Merit, Air medal with Oak Leaf, ARVN Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star and the Cross of Gallantry with Palm. Upon return from Viet Nam, Colonel Callaghan was assigned Chief Technical Coordination Division, R&D Directorate, Army Materiel Command with responsibility of restructuring the lines of authority in R&D, Supply and Procurement.

In 1970, his next assignment took the family back to Germany. This assignment was in Heidelberg as the Chief of Staff, USAREUR Combat Support Command. This command headquartered out of Patton Barracks, Heidelberg had auspices for over the 56th Artillery Group, 11th Aviation group, 7th Signal Group, and the 66th Military Intelligence Group. The 7th Army CSC was deactivated in 1972 when John assumed his new role as the Deputy Heidelberg Region Community Commander. He was responsible for the welfare and security of nearly 20,000 Americans. After Four years in Europe, John returned to the Army Materiel Command as the G-1 and his final assignment ending his 30 years of faithful and highly respected service to his country both in peace and war.

John aggressively met his next challenge head-on as a retired soldier and as a civilian. After senior consultant roles with various corporations he teamed up with an old friend and joined Ketron Corporation based out of Carlisle, PA. His role here was to provide advice and consultancy to senior USAREUR commands and staffs for wargamming, training exercises and Command Readiness against the threat of the Soviet Union. For a six year period John enjoyed his role as a volunteer docent at the National Archives. He also continued his desire to serve communities as an elected Board of Directors of the Franconia Commons Home Owners Association. His community leadership acumen honed over his illustrious career in the Army enabled him to provide expert guidance and direction to improve Franconia Commons and institute capital improvements.

Over the last 18 years John has been a driving personality as a change agent in improving the quality of life, services and operations for the Falcons Landing residents.

John W. Callaghan is survived by his loving wife Virginia (Dooley) Timberman Callaghan, his adoring children Lucy Catherine Callaghan, MAJ (ret) John William Callaghan JR and wife Vivian, Elizabeth Brooks Callaghan, Grandchildren: CPT John W. Callaghan III, 1LT Maxwell Perez, Virginia Keyes Callaghan Harrison and husband Shawn, Cecily Sonja Perez, Samuel Brooks Callaghan and great-grandchildren: Owen Robert Harrison and Ryder Brooks Harrison, his brother Donald Callaghan, and sister Marion Callaghan and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Eugene and Katherine Callaghan and brother Eugene F. Callaghan Jr.

Family will receive friends on Thursday, February 12, 2015 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Colonial Funeral Home, 201 Edwards Ferry Rd, Leesburg, VA 20176.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, February 13, 2015 at 2:00pm at Falcons Landing, 20522 Falcons Landing Circle, Sterling, VA 20522.

Burial to take place on May 20, 2015 at 8:45am in Arlington National Cemetery.