Daniel J. Callaghan

Callaghan was born on July 26, 1890, in San Francisco, California, the son of businessman Charles William Callaghan and Rose Wheeler Callaghan. The family was devoutly Roman Catholic. One of his younger brothers, William Callaghan (1897–1991), would later go on to a career in the US Navy as well. Both brothers studied at Saint Ignatius College Preparatory in San Francisco, the elder graduating in the class of 1907. His first assignment was on board the armored cruiser , in command of a turret with twin guns. He was promoted to the rank of ensign on May 21, 1912. His second assignment was on the destroyer in mid-1913. He was promoted to lieutenant (junior grade) in May 1915. During his first few years of naval service, Callaghan had been courting Mary Tormey of Oakland, California; the two married on July 23, 1914. was born in Alameda, California, on October 16, 1915. In July 1915, Truxtun was on its way to Alaska when it broke down and could not continue its mission. Initially, the blame fell on Callaghan, who had apparently ordered incorrect condenser parts. He was suspended from duty and ordered to appear before a court-martial. Subsequent investigation, however, found that another man was responsible for the error, and Callaghan received a full acquittal and was reinstated. A few months later, he was appointed as commanding officer of Truxtun, but the stress of his trial appeared to have left its mark—at the age of 25 years, his hair had already turned gray. ==World War I==

Callaghan's next posting was to the cruiser in November 1916. He then served as executive officer of the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps at the University of California, Berkeley, before working on the cruiser . In 1938, President Franklin D. Roosevelt asked his physician, Ross McIntire, to recommend someone for the position of naval aide. McIntire recommended Callaghan, who was appointed to the role in July 1938 and would fill it for the next three years. He was promoted to the rank of captain in October 1938. ==World War II==

In May 1941, during the early stages of World War II, Roosevelt released Callaghan to take command of the cruiser . he commanded U.S. naval forces against Japanese warships during the First Naval Battle of Guadalcanal on 13 November 1942. Earlier in the battle, Rear Admiral Norman Scott had been killed, so two US commanders had now been lost, as well as several of their staff. Despite the deaths of so many senior officers, the battle ended in a strategic victory for the Allied side. Callaghan was buried at sea. He was survived by his wife, Mary Tormey Callaghan, and son, Daniel Judson Callaghan Jr. (1915–2006). By order of President Roosevelt, both Rear Admirals Callaghan and Scott were posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. His brother William Callaghan would later become the first captain of the battleship , a vice admiral, and the first commander of the Military Sea Transportation Service. ==Honors and awards==

His decorations include: Before receiving the Medal of Honor, Callaghan had been awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. Other awards to Admiral Callaghan include the World War I Victory Medal, the American Defense Service Medal and posthumous awards of the Purple Heart, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal and World War II Victory Medal. Medal of Honor Callaghan's Medal of Honor citation read: For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty during action against enemy Japanese forces off Savo Island on the night of 12–13 November 1942. Although out-balanced in strength and numbers by a desperate and determined enemy, Rear Admiral Callaghan, with ingenious tactical skill and superb coordination of the units under his command, led his forces into battle against tremendous odds, thereby contributing decisively to the rout of a powerful invasion fleet and to the consequent frustration of a formidable Japanese offensive. While faithfully directing close-range operations in the face of furious bombardment by superior enemy fire power, he was killed on the bridge of his Flagship. His courageous initiative, inspiring leadership, and judicious foresight in a crisis of grave responsibility were in keeping with the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the defense of his country. His son was a lieutenant (junior grade) at the time and accepted his father's Medal of Honor on his behalf. ==Legacy==

The US Navy has named two ships after Callaghan: and . The first ship was commissioned on November 27, 1943, and was sponsored by Callaghan's widow. It sank in late July 1945 in a kamikaze attack. The second ship was commissioned on August 29, 1981, Callaghan Hall at Officer Training Command, Newport, Rhode Island, is named in his honor. The Callaghan Fitness Center at Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth Virginia is also named for him. A street, Admiral Callaghan Lane in Vallejo, California, is also named after him, and a monument in Lands End, San Francisco (including part of the bridge of USS San Francisco, where he died), honors him and his comrades. Callaghan's name is listed on Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines. ==See also==