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Daniel Judson CallaghanAmerican naval figure, rear admiral
Date of Birth: 26.07.1890
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Naval Career
- Interwar Years
- Senior Command
- World War II and Death
- Honors and Legacy
Early Life and Education
Daniel Judson Callaghan was born in San Francisco, California, on July 26, 1890, to Charles William and Rose Wheeler Callaghan. He graduated from St. Ignatius College in 1907 and entered the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis in 1908.
Naval Career
Early Assignments and World War IAfter graduating from the Naval Academy in 1911, Callaghan served on the armored cruiser USS California and the destroyer USS Truxtun. In 1914, he married Mary Tormey, and their son, Daniel Judson Callaghan Jr., was born in 1915.
Callaghan's career was initially marred by an incident in 1915 when the USS Truxtun, under his command, broke down en route to Alaska. He was relieved of duty and faced a court-martial. However, further investigation exonerated him, and he was reinstated as commander of the Truxtun.
Interwar Years
After World War I, Callaghan served on several battleships and cruisers. He was promoted to commander in 1931 and served as the executive officer of the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps unit at the University of California, Berkeley.
Senior Command
In 1938, President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed Callaghan as his naval aide, a position he held until 1941. In May 1941, Callaghan was given command of the heavy cruiser USS San Francisco and later served as chief of staff to Admiral Robert Lee Ghormley, commander of the South Pacific and Oceania forces.
World War II and Death
In November 1942, Callaghan led a task force that was tasked with supporting the American landings at Guadalcanal. During a night battle on November 13, Callaghan's flagship, the USS San Francisco, was attacked by the Japanese heavy cruiser IJN Kirishima.
Callaghan and his staff were killed when a shell hit the bridge. Despite the loss of senior officers, the battle ended in an Allied victory. Callaghan's actions during the battle earned him posthumously the Medal of Honor.
Honors and Legacy
Callaghan was buried at sea and also received the Navy Distinguished Service Medal and the Navy Cross. Two destroyers, the USS Callaghan (DD-792) and USS Callaghan (DDG-994), were named in his honor.
Callaghan's name is inscribed on the American War Memorial in Manila, and a street in Vallejo, California, as well as the Officer Training Command at Newport, Rhode Island, bear his name.
