William McCombe Callaghan (August 8, 1897 – July 8, 1991) was a

United States Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the naval warfare, maritime military branch, service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is the world's most powerful navy with the largest Displacement (ship), displacement, at 4.5 millio ...

officer who served as the first captain of the battleship Fowler, G. (1991)
William M. Callaghan dies at 93; headed Logistics Service for Navy
''New York Times'' (July 9, 1991). Retrieved on September 2, 2009.Battleship Missouri ceremony to honor ship's first commander, Captain William M. Callaghan, April 12
''Business Wire'' (March 27, 2001). Retrieved on September 5, 2009.
''Japan Times Online'' (March 20, 2001). Retrieved on September 5, 2009.Burlingame, B. (2001)

''Honolulu Star-Bulletin'' (April 13, 2001). Retrieved on September 5, 2009. and the inaugural commander of the

Military Sea Transportation Service The Military Sealift Command (MSC) is an organization that controls the replenishment and military transport ships of the United States Navy. Military Sealift Command has the responsibility for providing sealift and ocean transportation for all U ...

.Military Sealift Command: MSC Timeline 1949–1959
Retrieved on September 8, 2009. Through the course of almost 40 years, he served his country in three wars. His naval career began on a destroyer in the final months of

World War I World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...

. Following command of the destroyer and logistical work prior to

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

, he took command of ''Missouri'' in 1944. Callaghan is perhaps best known for ordering, despite disagreement from some of his crew, that an honorable burial at sea be held for an enemy pilot who died during a suicide attack on ''Missouri'' in 1945. Following World War II, he directed the US Navy's transportation service and filled senior command roles in eastern Asia, including Commander, Amphibious Force, Pacific Fleet during the

Korean War The Korean War (25 June 1950 – 27 July 1953) was an armed conflict on the Korean Peninsula fought between North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea; DPRK) and South Korea (Republic of Korea; ROK) and their allies. North Korea was s ...

. He retired from the US Navy at the rank of

vice admiral Vice admiral is a senior naval flag officer rank, usually equivalent to lieutenant general and air marshal. A vice admiral is typically senior to a rear admiral and junior to an admiral. Australia In the Royal Australian Navy, the rank of Vice ...

in 1957 and worked in civilian maritime transport before retiring to Maryland.

Early life

Callaghan was born on August 8, 1897, the son of businessman Charles William Callaghan and Rose Wheeler Callaghan.Murphy, F. X. (1954)
Fighting admiral: The story of Dan Callaghan
(Prologue). New York: Vantage. Retrieved on September 8, 2009.Murphy, F. X. (1954)

(Chapter 2). New York: Vantage. Retrieved on September 8, 2009. The family were devout

Roman Catholic The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics worldwide as of 2025. It is among the world's oldest and largest international institut ...

s. His elder brother, Daniel Callaghan (1890–1942), would later become a US Navy rear admiral and posthumous

Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor (MOH) is the United States Armed Forces' highest Awards and decorations of the United States Armed Forces, military decoration and is awarded to recognize American United States Army, soldiers, United States Navy, sailors, Un ...

recipient. Both brothers studied at

Saint Ignatius College Preparatory St. Ignatius College Preparatory, colloquially referred to by Bay Area locals as SI, is a private, Catholic preparatory school in the Jesuit tradition, serving the San Francisco Bay Area since 1855. Located in the Archdiocese of San Francisco, i ...

in San Francisco, Daniel graduating in the class of 1907 and William seven years later.History Supplement: Admiral William Callaghan '14
''Genesis IV: The alumni magazine of Saint Ignatius College Preparatory'' (2005), pp. 34–35. Retrieved on September 8, 2009. Both men also subsequently attended the

United States Naval Academy The United States Naval Academy (USNA, Navy, or Annapolis) is a United States Service academies, federal service academy in Annapolis, Maryland. It was established on 10 October 1845 during the tenure of George Bancroft as United States Secre ...

, Daniel graduating in 1911 and William in the class of 1918. That class was ordered to active service with the entrance of the United States into World War I.

Military career

Early service

Callaghan served on a destroyer during the last six months of World War I. He received a Master of Science degree in electrical engineering from

Columbia University Columbia University in the City of New York, commonly referred to as Columbia University, is a Private university, private Ivy League research university in New York City. Established in 1754 as King's College on the grounds of Trinity Churc ...

in 1925, and would become a

Knight A knight is a person granted an honorary title of a knighthood by a head of state (including the pope) or representative for service to the monarch, the church, or the country, especially in a military capacity. The concept of a knighthood ...

of the

Sovereign Military Order of Malta The Sovereign Military Order of Malta (SMOM), officially the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta, and commonly known as the Order of Malta or the Knights of Malta, is a Catholic lay religious ...

. In the mid-1920s, he served as assistant engineering officer on board the light cruiser , which was then performing scouting duties.Murphy, F. X. (1954)
Fighting admiral: The story of Dan Callaghan
(Chapter 4). New York: Vantage. Retrieved on September 11, 2009. From 1932 to 1933, he was a lieutenant aboard the aircraft carrier .Dyer, G. C. (1969)

Retrieved on May 27, 2010.

Ship commands

At the rank of commander, Callaghan captained the destroyer USS ''Reuben James'' from June 1936 to March 1938, and subsequently joined the staff of the

Chief of Naval Operations The chief of naval operations (CNO) is the highest-ranking officer of the United States Navy. The position is a statutory office () held by an Admiral (United States), admiral who is a military adviser and deputy to the United States Secretary ...

in 1939.Arlington National Cemetery: William M. Callaghan, Rear Admiral, United States Navy
Retrieved on September 5, 2009. Before the US entered World War II, he was stationed in London in a logistical role. During the first part of World War II, he served as a logistics officer on the staff of the commander in chief, US Pacific Fleet,
''Los Angeles Times'' (July 15, 1991). Retrieved on September 8, 2009. Admiral

Chester Nimitz Chester William Nimitz (; 24 February 1885 – 20 February 1966) was a Fleet admiral (United States), fleet admiral in the United States Navy. He played a major role in the naval history of World War II as Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Co ...

.United States Pacific Fleet: Previous commanders
(c. 2009). Retrieved on May 28, 2010.Morison, S. E. (2001): ''History of United States naval operations in World War II: Vol. 7 – Aleutians, Gilberts and Marshalls, June 1942 – April 1944'' (p. 104). Urbana, IL: University of Illinois Press. () He received the

Legion of Merit The Legion of Merit (LOM) is a Awards and decorations of the United States military, military award of the United States Armed Forces that is given for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievemen ...

for this work. On June 11, 1944, Callaghan became the first captain of USS ''Missouri'',The US Navy: USS Missouri (BB 63)
Retrieved on September 8, 2009.''USS Missouri (BB-63): "The Mighty Mo"'' (1998, p. 10). Nashville, TN: Turner. () the last battleship commissioned by the US Navy. He commanded ''Missouri'' in engagements at

Iwo Jima is one of the Japanese Volcano Islands, which lie south of the Bonin Islands and together with them make up the Ogasawara Subprefecture, Ogasawara Archipelago. Together with the Izu Islands, they make up Japan's Nanpō Islands. Although sout ...

and

Okinawa most commonly refers to: * Okinawa Prefecture, Japan's southernmost prefecture * Okinawa Island, the largest island of Okinawa Prefecture * Okinawa Islands, an island group including Okinawa itself * Okinawa (city), the second largest city in th ...

Attack on USS ''Missouri''

At 2:42 PM on April 11, 1945, off the coast of Kikaijima Island, a

Japanese Japanese may refer to: * Something from or related to Japan, an island country in East Asia * Japanese language, spoken mainly in Japan * Japanese people, the ethnic group that identifies with Japan through ancestry or culture ** Japanese diaspor ...

fighter pilot in an A6M5c Zero launched a

kamikaze , officially , were a part of the Japanese Special Attack Units of military aviators who flew suicide attacks for the Empire of Japan against Allied naval vessels in the closing stages of the Pacific campaign of World War II, intending to d ...

attack on USS ''Missouri''.''USS Missouri (BB-63): "The Mighty Mo"'' (1998, p. 11). Nashville, TN: Turner. () Bill Obitz, a seaman at the time, recalled that the attacking plane approached at an extreme angle and estimated that it was 20 feet (6 m) above the water.Cole, W. (2008)
Ceremony marks 63rd anniversary of surrender: Battleship Missouri hosts crewmen who were aboard that day
''Honolulu Advertiser'' (September 3, 2008). Retrieved on September 9, 2009. Although struck by intense antiaircraft fire, the plane survived and struck the ship's starboard side at frame 169 below the main deck. While the impact of one of the plane's wings started a fire at 5-inch mount number 3,Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships: Missouri
Retrieved on September 8, 2009. its 500-pound bomb did not detonate, so the damage was minimal. There were no American casualties, but the Japanese pilot died.Fahr, H. (2009)
The Ivan Dexter story ...
''The Jerseyman'' (No. 63, 3rd Quarter 2009, pp. 7–8). Retrieved on May 30, 2010. Parts of the plane's wreckage and the top half of the pilot's body landed on board ''Missouri''. The plane's wing was turned over to the crew to be cut up for souvenirs.''USS Missouri (BB-63): "The Mighty Mo"'' (1998, p. 29). Nashville, TN: Turner. () Despite protests from crewmen, who wanted the remains hosed over the deck, Callaghan insisted that the young Japanese airman had done his job to the best of his ability, with honor, and deserved a military burial. Stephen Cromwell, a corpsman at the time, later recalled, "I was able to recover his body and I called up to the bridge to ask if I should throw it overboard ... Captain Callaghan said, 'No, when we secure, take it down to the sick bay, and we'll have a burial for him tomorrow.'"Yi, S. (2005)
Veterans remember tragedy of war in Pacific
''Voice of America'' (August 11, 2005). Retrieved on September 5, 2009. Ivan Dexter, another crew member, gave his account of events to Herb Fahr, recalling that the top half of the Japanese pilot's body was scattered over the deck, while the bottom half fell with the rest of the plane into the sea. What remained of the body was brought to sick bay for examination, and various ''Missouri'' crew took souvenirs from the clothing, including the helmet, scarf, and jacket. Following examination, the remains were placed in a canvas bag with dummy shell casings to weigh it down. The following day, the Japanese pilot received a military burial at sea. An improvised Japanese flag, sewn by one of the ship's bosun's mates, covered the bag holding the man's remains. The ship's chaplain committed the body to the sea and the six pallbearers let it slide overboard, accompanied by a volley of rifle fire. Fahr wrote, "There was still much bitterness on the part of many in the crew, but now, the honorable thing was done." According to Lee Collins, visitor operations director for the Battleship Missouri Memorial, Callaghan said that the ceremony was simply a tribute to "a fellow warrior who had displayed courage and devotion, and who had paid the ultimate sacrifice with his life, fighting for his country."Tsutsumi, C. C. (2001)

''Honolulu Star-Bulletin'' (June 17, 2001). Retrieved on September 8, 2009. On May 14, 1945, Callaghan passed command of ''Missouri'' on to Captain

Stuart Murray Stuart Murray (born November 24, 1954) is a former politician from Manitoba, Canada. He served as leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba and leader of the opposition in the Manitoba legislature from 2000 to 2006. From 2006 un ...

, who had been a classmate of his at the US Naval Academy.''USS Missouri (BB-63): "The Mighty Mo"'' (1998, p. 30). Nashville, TN: Turner. ()Mason, J. T. (2003): ''The Pacific War remembered: An oral history collection'' (p. 345). Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press. ()USS ''Missouri'' (BB-63) Association: Commanding officers of the USS ''Missouri'' (BB-63)
(July 17, 2008). Retrieved on May 28, 2010.

Senior commands

In 1946, Callaghan held the rank of rear admiral, and in that year he gave a presentation to the

Naval War College The Naval War College (NWC or NAVWARCOL) is the staff college and "Home of Thought" for the United States Navy at Naval Station Newport in Newport, Rhode Island. The NWC educates and develops leaders, supports defining the future Navy and associa ...

on his experience in the Naval Transportation Service before the war.Mercogliano, S. R. (2001)
The United States merchant shipping offensive during the Second World War
''The Northern Mariner'', 11(4):27–47. Retrieved on May 28, 2010. On October 1, 1949, he was appointed the first commander of the Military Sea Transportation Service, which would later become the Military Sealift Command. He was promoted from rear admiral to vice admiral around this time.Mercogliano, S. R. (2000)

(November 29, 2000). Retrieved on May 28, 2010.Mercogliano, S. R. (2009)
MSC: 60 years strong
''NDTAGram'' (October 2009). Retrieved on May 27, 2010.''Tanker & bulk carrier world directory'' (1962, p. 41). Terminus Publications. From 1953 to 1954, during the Korean War, he commanded the

Amphibious Force, Pacific Fleet The United States Pacific Fleet (USPACFLT) is a theater-level component command of the United States Navy, located in the Pacific Ocean. It provides naval forces to the Indo-Pacific Command. Fleet headquarters is at Joint Base Pearl Harbor� ...

.Navy Department Library: Amphibious Force, US Pacific Fleet
(December 4, 2006). Retrieved on September 8, 2009. From 1954 to 1956, he served as commander, US Naval Forces Far East.
(December 11, 2006). Retrieved on September 8, 2009. He then replaced retiring Vice Admiral Francis S. Low as commander of the

Western Sea Frontier Sea Frontiers were several, now disestablished, commands of the United States Navy as areas of defense against enemy vessels, especially submarines, along the U.S. coasts. They existed from 1 July 1941 until in some cases the 1970s. Sea Frontiers ...

.National Affairs: Who's the genius?
''TIME'' (May 21, 1956). Retrieved on May 27, 2010. He retired from the US Navy at the rank of vice admiral in 1957.

Later life

Following retirement from military service, Callaghan served as vice president of

American Export Lines American Export-Isbrandtsen Lines, New York, was the leading US-flag shipping company between the U.S. east coast and the Mediterranean from 1919 to 1977, offering both cargo ship and passenger ship services, until it declared bankruptcy and was ...

, and then as chairman of the Maritime Transportation Research Board under the

National Academy of Sciences The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) is a United States nonprofit, NGO, non-governmental organization. NAS is part of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, along with the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) and the ...

. He would later have a transport ship named after him: .Polmar, N. (2005): ''The Naval Institute guide to the ships and aircraft of the US Fleet'' (p. 313). Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press. ()Hancock, A., & Heiss, R. (2009)
MSC ships provide international training platforms
''Sealift'' (May 2009). Retrieved on September 8, 2009.Fukugaki, A. (1995)
Review of shipboard energy technology: Thoughts and facts behind the scene
''Scheepswerktuigkunde'' (May 1995). Retrieved on September 8, 2009. Late in life, Callaghan resided in

Chevy Chase, Maryland Chevy Chase () is the colloquial name of an area that includes a town, several incorporated villages, and an unincorporated census-designated place in southern Montgomery County, Maryland; and one adjoining neighborhood in northwest Washington, D ...

. Following a stroke, he died on July 8, 1991, at

Bethesda Naval Hospital Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC; formerly known as the National Naval Medical Center and colloquially referred to as Bethesda Naval Hospital, Walter Reed, or Navy Med) is a United States military medical center located in B ...

. His first wife, Helen Brunett Callaghan (1896–1970), and second wife, Martha Rawlins Callaghan (1905–1973), predeceased him. He was survived by his third wife, Sarah Duerson Callaghan (1914–2011), and two children, William M. Callaghan Jr. (a retired US Navy rear admiral)Naval Aviation News: Change of Command
(August 1978, p. 29). Retrieved on September 8, 2009. and Jane Callaghan Gude (c. 1925–2008), wife of former member of Congress,

Gilbert Gude Gilbert Gude (March 9, 1923 – June 7, 2007) was an American politician who served as the U.S. representative for Maryland's 8th congressional district from 1967 to 1977. He was a member of the Republican Party. Early life and career Gude was ...

,Holley, J. (2008)
Jane Gude; Congressman's widow was active in GOP
''Washington Post'' (April 1, 2008). Retrieved on September 9, 2009. as well as eight grandchildren. Callaghan's grandchildren include William Callaghan III, Chad Callaghan, and A. Carey Callaghan.Elizabeth R. Callaghan
''Washington Post'' (October 2009). Retrieved on November 23, 2009. His great-grandchildren include Caitlin Callaghan, Larkin Callaghan, and Connor Callaghan,History Supplement: Admiral Daniel Callaghan (SI 1907)
''Genesis IV: The alumni magazine of Saint Ignatius College Preparatory'' (2005), pp. 32–34. Retrieved on September 8, 2009. and many others.

Legacy

Callaghan's decision on the Japanese pilot's funeral in 1945 would receive praise years later, although a memorial service aboard the ''Missouri'' in April 2001 attracted controversy. Leading up to the service, Callaghan's son said, "My father believed a burial at sea for the pilot was the right thing to do. He felt it would set a good example for the crew in showing respect for the life of people, even for the people you are opposing." Junko Kamata, a niece of one of the Japanese pilots killed in the April 1945 battle, said, "I want to thank Captain Callaghan for his humanitarian consideration for kamikaze soldiers." Minoru Shibuya, Japanese Consul General, called Callaghan's actions "a glorious deed, to salute the ilot'sbravery."

Daniel Inouye Daniel Ken Inouye ( , , September 7, 1924 – December 17, 2012) was an American attorney, soldier, and statesman who served as a United States Senate, United States senator from Hawaii from 1963 until his death in 2012. A Medal of Honor recipi ...

, US Senator from Hawaii, reflected that "from the dawn of civilization, warriors respected their adversaries; it was an unspoken code of honor. When Callaghan saw the broken body of his sworn enemy lying upon his ship, he saw him not as an enemy, but simply as a man." At a 1998 reunion of ''Missouri'' veterans, many of those present who had served during World War II felt that, on reflection, their captain had acted correctly. Robert Kihune, a retired US Navy vice admiral, said, "In wartime, courage is measured as much by one's actions as their strength of leadership during the heat of battle ... I think the leadership qualities showed by Captain Callaghan illustrate the ideal of what we want our military leaders to follow."

Notes

a. Three volunteers from the USS ''Missouri'' Memorial Association narrowed the identity of the Japanese pilot to three possibilities: Lieutenant Junior Grade Shigeju Yaguchi, Petty Officer Second Class Takashi Sogabe, and Petty Officer Second Class . Yaguchi was aged 23 years at the time, while Sogabe and Ishino were both aged 19 years. An information plaque on board USS ''Missouri'' in December 2011 advocates the view that the pilot was probably Ishino.Photograph of information plaque
on board the USS ''Missouri'' on December 22, 2011. Retrieved on December 23, 2011. b. Two sources state that Callaghan was promoted to the rank of vice admiral soon after his appointment to command the MSTS. Historian Salvatore Mercogliano (c. 2000) states that the initial commander of the MSTS was "Rear Admiral William M. Callaghan (subsequently promoted to Vice Admiral)"Mercogliano, S. R. (c. 2000)

Retrieved on May 27, 2010. and a 1962 ship directory states that " STS'sfirst commander, Rear-Admiral William Callaghan, was soon promoted to vice-admiral, and the M.S.T.S. has been a ' three-star' command ever since" (p. 41). Another article by Mercogliano (2000) states that Callaghan was still ranked a rear admiral in early July 1950. Two other sources, a later article by Mercogliano (2009) and Military Sealift Command's timeline, state that MSTS's first commander was Vice Admiral William M. Callaghan. It is not clear whether these last two sources were simply reporting Callaghan's rank at the time of writing, well after 1949, or whether they were implying that Callaghan was already a vice admiral before taking command of the MSTS. c. Commenting on the decision to hold a memorial service for the Japanese pilots aboard USS ''Missouri'', US veteran Lloyd Prang said, "If the Japanese want to memorialize their pilots and soldiers, let them do it on THEIR soil." Marine Corps veteran Rand Potts considered it "a promotional deal to excite Japanese visitors into visiting the Missouri."

References

External links

* includes photographs of Callaghan on the bridge of the ''Missouri'' in 1944 and at a ''Missouri'' reunion in Annapolis in 1985.
''The Jerseyman'' (No. 63, 3rd Quarter 2009, p. 8)
includes a photograph showing the dent in the side of the ''Missouri'' (resulting from the attack of April 1945), still visible as of May 16, 2009. {{DEFAULTSORT:Callaghan, William 1897 births 1991 deaths United States Navy personnel of World War I United States Navy personnel of World War II United States Navy personnel of the Korean War Burials at Arlington National Cemetery People from Chevy Chase, Maryland Recipients of the Legion of Merit United States Naval Academy alumni United States Navy vice admirals Catholics from Maryland St. Ignatius College Preparatory alumni Military personnel from San Francisco Catholics from California Military personnel from Maryland