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Photo courtesy of Tom Dunleavy
Pre-war Colt Ace Model .22 blue, serial number 7030 circa. 1937-38, with
original finish, late front sight. The left side slide marking has two lines,
one is the address, the other just under, are the patents (1913), the rampant is
not just after these two lines, but behind the serrations close (of the hammer),
the right side is: Colt ACE .22 Long Rifle.
This gun belonged to Lieutenant Thomas P. Dunleavy, who
was the Navy Chaplain aboard the USS Callaway. It is a
commercial example purchased by the Lieutenant in Michigan
in 1937-38.
Here is a brief account of Lieutenant Dunleavy's military
service ad provided by his nephew, Tom Dunleavy:
"Fr. Par, as he was called, was the chaplain for the Iron
Mountain (MI) Vets Hospital until his retirement in 1985. He
served in the Pacific Theater aboard the USS Callaway APA
35. After WW2 he was again called up for the Korean War but
fortunately saw no combat. Aboard the Callaway from its
beginning as a attack troop transport in 8 October 1943 he
was to see plenty of action to include Kwajelein Atoll 4
February 1944; 20 March, 1944 Emireu Island; 15 June 1944
Saipan; 17 Sept 1944 Island of Anguar In the Palau Group of
Islands, Carloine Islands;16 October 1944 Leyte (San Pedro
Bay) ; 23 November 1944 Leyte Gulf. On 8 January 1945 on the
way to Luzon, the ship was attacked by a Japanese plane
called a Tony. This plane made a suicide run and hit the
Callaway resulting in the death to 31 men (USCG) that day.
Other men died of their injuries a few days later; Iwo Jima
1 March 1945. This ship landed thousands of Marine and Army
men on Japanese held Islands and was there, especially at
Iwo, to bring wounded aboard and care for them. To me my
Uncle is a real hero. Lt. Commander Dunleavy died in January
of 2002. We will miss him. TD"
Amidst a scene of horror on the deck of the USS Callaway,
the Navy chaplain, Lieut. Thomas P. Dunleavy, son of Mr. and
Mrs. Thomas Dunleavy, Champion Hill, administers the rites
of his church to two dying Coast Guardsmen after the
invasion transport had taken a bomb from Jap aircraft off
the coast of Luzon. The Coast Guard combat artist, Norman
M. Thomas, chief specialist, of Portland, ME, witnessed the
explosion, helped put out the fires and then made the above
drawing. Chief Thomas describes the scene "The air is
filled with screams of wounded and dying men. The smell of
burning flesh fills the nostrils; the eyes smart from thick
smoke. The chaplain administers the rites to the dying."
USS Callaway APA 35
The USS Callaway was one of twenty-nine C3 hulls
completed as assault transports. They comprised the Bayfield
class. Fitted with booms enabling them to launch landing
craft, they carried a mixed armament of 5", 40mm and 20mm
guns. All class members survived the war. As befits her
merchant bloodlines, the Callaway was returned to the
merchant marine in 1949 where she served as the President
Harrison.
This a picture from 1943 or 1944 on Namur Island. Note:
the chaplains have .45's. Lieutenant Thomas P. Dunleavy had
his Colt Ace .22, since according to him, he could not hit
anything with the .45. This picture was never released for
press due to armed chaplains. |
