Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04) presented a World War II veteran with the Silver Star Saturday. Joseph Peter Callahan Sr., 90, of Hamilton Township, was surprised to receive the award before more than two dozen on-lookers including friends, neighbors and family.

    “Today I’m honored to present Mr. Callahan with a great honor: the Silver Star,” Smith said. “He had to wait nearly 65 years to get it, but he earned it. He is a hero who comes from a generation of heroes who fought in World War II.”

    Mr. Callahan was not expecting to receive the medal when he visited Smith’s office. In May, his daughter Pat Craver of Hamilton asked Smith to help them approach the Department of Defense knowing that her father had felt he was eligible for the medal but did not pursue why it was never awarded to him for his actions on the European battlefront.

    “He is getting what is his due for his extraordinary service,” Smith said. “This is so important for his children, his grandchildren and his great grandchildren to know who this great man is and how much he’s contributed.”

    Mr. Callahan joined the N.J. National Guard in Nov. 1937 at age 17, as part of the 112th Field Artillery Regiment, at a time when it was still powered by real horses. As the war approached, his regiment was outfitted with mechanized artillery.

    “I’m so happy to see he is finally getting what he deserves,” said Col. Frank Caprario, who has known Mr. Callahan for 30 years. “This isn’t just a presentation of a piece of metal. It’s a ‘Thank you, Joe, for everything you did.’”

    Mr. Callahan served in the Army from January 1941 to June 1945. He fought in the Allied invasion at Normandy, and the Battle of the Bulge. After the war, he rejoined the New Jersey National Guard’s 50th Armored Division Artillery in October 1946. Mr. Callahan continued to serve the Guard, rising through the ranks and later became the executive officer of the 50th Armored Division, and was promoted to lieutenant colonel in January 1968. He assumed command of the 4th Battalion, 112th Field Artillery in 1969, and retired in March 1972 after 32 years of military service. He was appointed as Assistant Adjutant General in 1958, and as Adjutant General in 1971, and concluded 32 years of state service in 1979.

    Mr. Callahan has received other awards, including two Bronze Stars, the Purple Heart, New Jersey Medal of Merit and numerous other medals.

    Congress created the Silver Star in 1918 during WWI for “Gallantry in action”. The action must have been performed with “marked distinction.” It is among the nation’s highest honors.

    He is the father of seven children, grandfather of 12 and great grandfather of nine, many of whom attended the presentation in Smith’s Constituents Service Center. His wife, Arlene Martha Callahan, passed away in 1999.