Boulder City in Clark County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)
The Life and Legacy of Mike O'Callaghan and Pat Tillman
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, August 29, 2022
1. The Life and Legacy of Mike O'Callaghan and Pat Tillman Marker
The Life & Legacy of Mike O'Callaghan (1929-2004)
Life
Mike O'Callaghan, born on 10 September 1929 in La Crosse, Wisconsin, had hardworking rural beginnings that he never forgot. His parents named him Donal Neil O'Callaghan, but he adopted the nickname Mike as a young boxer.
As an adventurous farm boy, he enlisted in the military and matured to be a courageous WAR HERO.
O'Callaghan joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1945 at age 16, but saw no action during World War II. He joined the Air Force in 1950 to learn new technology. However, hoping to see combat, he transferred into the Army. For bravery in action in 1952, O'Callaghan received the Bronze Star. Six weeks later, he lost his left leg to a mortar round after he rescued a surrounded infantry squad. Awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart, O'Callaghan went home a war hero.
As a scholar and athlete, he grew to be a caring and respected TEACHER and COACH.
O'Callaghan graduated from the University of Idaho in 1956 with a master's degree in education and moved to Henderson, Nevada to teach at Basic High School. He helped found and run the local Boys club, coaching tough factory town boys to box.
As a tolerant person, he won the regard of minorities as a fair, broadminded CIVIL SERVANT.
As
this page online
As a politician with integrity, he rose to be hailed by some as Nevada's most popular GOVERNOR.
In 1966, O'Callaghan successfully ran for lieutenant governor. However, in 1970 as an underdog candidate, he won the governor's post by campaigning on small town street corners. "Governor Mike" championed causes for the "little guy" by supporting programs for education, housing, energy, minorities, seniors, and the disabled.
As a persistent critic of governmental conduct, he was both feared and loved as an influential NEWSPAPER EDITOR.
Leaving the statehouse, O'Callaghan accepted an executive post at the Las Vegas Sun in 1979. He became a tenacious editor who punished bureaucrats who failed to meet his high standards of governmental conduct. O'Callaghan believed in the virtue of hard work and the importance of religion in life. While
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, August 29, 2022
2. Mike O'Callaghan and Pat Tillman Bridge
A second historical marker can be found at the entrance to the Mike O'Callaghan and Pat Tillman Bridge.
The Life & Legacy of Pat Tillman (1976-2004)
Life
Patrick Daniel "Pat" Tillman was born on 6 November 1976 in San Jose, California. The oldest of three boys, Pat was a caring and protective brother. With no television in the house, the boys spent much of their time reading and playing outdoors.
As a natural student and athlete, he studied and trained hard to be a winning COLLEGE FOOTBALL COMPETITOR.
A talented football player in high school, Tillman received a scholarship from Arizona State University to play for the Sun Devils. In 1997, he helped lead the team to the Rose Bowl after an undefeated season. Tillman's skillful play as linebacker (#42) earned him three designations to the All Pac-10 Team and the Pac-10 Conference's Defensive Player of the Year Award in 1997. He was chosen for the Pac-10 All-Academic Football Team, and the NCAA's Post-Graduate Scholarship for academic and athletic excellence.
As a seeker of truth and meaning, he read voraciously to be a dedicated SCHOLAR and ADVOCATE.
Tillman graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor in Science in Marketing in just three and one-half years. He was very well read, having studied a broad
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, August 29, 2022
3. Mike O'Callaghan and Pat Tillman Bridge
The bridge as viewed from the entrance to Hoover Dam.
As an aggressive sportsman, he strove to be a loyal and valued PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL CHAMPION.
The Arizona Cardinals selected Tillman in the seventh round of the 1998 National Football League Draft. He quickly became the team's starting safety (#40) and broke the franchise record for tackles (144) in 2000. At one point in his NFL career, Tillman turned down a five-year, $9 million contract offer from the St. Louis Rams out of loyalty to the Cardinals. Sports Illustrated named him to its 2000 NFL All-Pro team.
In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on 11 September 2001, Pat proudly put his NFL career on hold to serve his country. Tillman declined a contract offer of $3.6 million over three years from the Cardinals to enlist in the U.S. Army. This decision was just one of many he made over the course of his lifetime to help others and serve a cause greater than self-interest.
As a patriotic citizen, he was willing to sacrifice his own career and life itself to be a SELFLESS SOLDIER.
Pat Tillman joined the U.S. Army Rangers in 2002, along with his brother Kevin. Having bravely served tours in Iraq in 2003, they
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, August 29, 2022
4. Hoover Dam
Hoover Dam and Lake Mead as seen from the Mike O'Callaghan Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Charity & Public Work • Patriots & Patriotism • Sports. In addition, it is included in the Military Order of the Purple Heart series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 2004.
Location. 36° 0.849′ N, 114° 44.681′ W. Marker is in Boulder City, Nevada, in Clark County. It is on Great Basin Highway. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 28800 Great Basin Hwy, Boulder City NV 89005, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Nevada’s Colorado River Valley, in the Mojave Desert, and in Greater Las Vegas. It is also in the American Southwest and in the Mountain West. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Mike O'Callaghan Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge (a few steps from this marker); Raise the Road on Columns & Deck (within shouting distance of this marker); Design the Dream with Science & Art (within shouting distance of this marker); Enjoying the Ride with Celebration & Pride (within shouting distance of this marker); Protecting the Place of Nature & History (within shouting distance of this marker); Lay the Path with Cut & Fill (within shouting distance of this marker); Choose the Site for Crossing & Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); Span The Gap with Cables 7 Arch (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Boulder City.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 29, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 351 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 29, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
