Lawrence Callahan

Lieutenant Lawrence Kingsley Callahan was a World War I flying ace credited with five victories.

Early life Callahan was born in Louisville, Kentucky and graduated from Cornell University.

World War I aerial service He was living in Chicago when he initially joined the Aviation Section, U.S. Signal Corps. He served on exchange duty with the Royal Flying Corps, receiving advanced training as a fighter pilot and attached to 85 Squadron when it went to war on the Western Front. He flew Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a fighters to his first three triumphs, on 16 June, 13 July, and 24 July 1918. He then switched to No. 148 Squadron and its Sopwith Camels for his last two victories, when he destroyed Fokker D.VII fighters on 3 and 28 October 1918.

Elliott White Springs's Warbirds memoirs of No. 85 Squadron featured Callahan.

Post World War I Callahan returned to the military for World War II, joining the U.S. Army Air Corps. This term of service took him to duty with the 12th U.S. Air Force in Oran, Algeria.

Honors and awards He received a Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), with a citation for gallantry and skill on the basis that he displayed gallantry, initiative and devotion to duty of the highest order.