Central Ward in Newark in Essex County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Archie Callahan
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, March 6, 2011
1. Archie Callahan Marker
Archie Callahan
who gave his life
at Pearl Harbor
December 7, 1941
Archie Callahan Jr. was born and raised in Newark, NJ. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 19 on August 21, 1940. Callahan became the first African American Newark resident to die by enemy action aboard the USS Oklahoma during the Japanese bombardment on Pearl Harbor Dec. 7, 1941. Archie Callahan Jr. paid the ultimate price, the sacrifice of his life for his country. In 1942 a monument was purchased by the City of Newark and unveiled in Douglas Harrison Park in honor of this local American hero. The Archie Callahan monument was moved to Military Park in 2005 and rededicated by the American Legion Guy-Callahan Post 152 Newark, NJ on December 4, 2005.
Erected 1942 by Rededicated in 2005 by the American Legion Guy-Callahan Post 152 Newark, NJ.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • War, World II. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1865.
Location. 40° 44.289′ N, 74° 10.227′ W. Marker is in Newark, New Jersey, in Essex County. It is in the Central Ward. Marker is at the intersection of Broad Street and Cedar Street, on the left when traveling south
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. John Fitzgerald Kennedy (a few steps from this marker); “Hitherto Hath The Lord Helped Us” (a few steps from this marker); Elisha Boudinot and General Lafayette (within shouting distance of this marker); First School Safety Patrol in America (within shouting distance of this marker); This Liberty Pole (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Wars of America (about 300 feet away); Historic Plane Tree (about 400 feet away); Philip Kearny (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newark.
Regarding Archie Callahan. Mess Attendant 2nd Class Archie Callahan, Jr. died on duty December 7, 1941. Born in Atlanta Georgia, he was a resident of Newark New Jersey when he enlisted in New York City on August 21, 1940, as Mess Attendant 3rd Class and trained in Norfolk, Virginia, after which he was assigned to the USS Oklahoma. He was promoted December 1, 1941. He was awarded the Purple Heart Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon, the American Defense Service Medal (Fleet Clasp), the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (Bronze Star) and the World War II Victory Medal.
The Messman Branch, responsible for the feeding
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, March 6, 2011
2. Lower Marker
—Source, both paragraphs: U.S. Navy, Navy Personnel Command, Public Affairs Office
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, March 6, 2011
3. Archie Callahan Marker
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, March 6, 2011
4. Archie Callahan Marker (rear view)
Military Park can be seen in the background of the photo.
Source: U.S. Navy, Navy Personnel Command, Public Affairs Office, circa 1940
5. Archie Callahan, Jr. (1922-1941)
Mess Attendant 2nd Class, USS Oklahoma.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 29, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 8, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 979 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 8, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 5. submitted on August 29, 2023, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
