CALLAGHAN, PETER ALFRED

Name: Peter Alfred Callaghan
Rank/Branch: O2/United States Air Force
Unit: 334th TFS
Date of Birth: 23 April 1946
Home City of Record: Long Island NY
Date of Loss: 21 June 1972
Country of Loss: North Vietnam
Loss Coordinates: 212300 North 1050600 East
Status (in 1973): Returnee
Category:
Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground: F4E
Missions:
Other Personnel in Incident: George Rose, returnee, pilot
Refno:

Source: Compiled by P.O.W. NETWORK from one or more of the following: raw
data from U.S. Government agency sources, correspondence with POW/MIA
families, published sources, interviews.

REMARKS: 730328 RELEASED BY DRV

SOURCE: WE CAME HOME copyright 1977
Captain and Mrs. Frederic A Wyatt (USNR Ret), Barbara Powers Wyatt, Editor
P.O.W. Publications, 10250 Moorpark St., Toluca Lake, CA 91602
Text is reproduced as found in the original publication (including date and
spelling errors).
UPDATE - 09/95 by the P.O.W. NETWORK, Skidmore, MO

PETER A. CALLAGHAN
Captain - United States Air Force
Shot Down: June 21, 1972
Released: March 28, 1973

To the American People:

Thank you so much for your concern, your prayers, and your thoughtfulness to
me. I am convinced in my own mind that the reason I am home safely today is
because of your individual prayers and efforts. I thank God every day for
letting me return to my country and her wonderful people - people like you.

I would like to tell you a little about myself so I can be more to you than
just a name on a bracelet. I became 27 years old on April 23, 1973 and I am
married to a beautiful girl, Annelle, who, like myself is from Long Island,
New York. When I had been in Hanoi for about five months, I found out that I
had become a father. My wife had a baby girl, Coleen Louise, born on
September 17, 1972. Naturally, I was very happy about the news, and now the
three of us are reunited and I feel like I'm one of the luckiest guys in the
world.

I was in North Vietnam for just over nine months, and I guess my treatment
was the same as all the other guys shot down in 1971 and 1972. The treatment
of the prisoners improved in 1970 because of all the letters and concern
shown by Americans like you. For this I am forever in your debt.

We had a steadfast rule in all the prison camps in North Vietnam. It is
un-Christian and un-American not to forgive people for their past misdeeds.
I firmly believe this and I feel no bitterness towards my captors. Feelings
of revenge and hatred are burdens too large for me to carry; I have too much
living to do. I have too much to be thankful for, thankful to God and
thankful to you for getting me home.

I am honored to be your friend. You are the "beautiful people" I keep
hearing about. Thank you for everything you've done for me; I shall never
forget your thoughtfulness and how happy you've made me.

November 1996
Peter Callaghan retired from the United States AIr Force as a Lt. Col.
He resides in Guam.

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