Daniel J. Callaghan

Daniel Judson Callaghan (born July 26, 1890 in San Francisco , California , † November 13, 1942 on Guadalcanal ) was an American officer . He served as an Admiral in the United States Navy during World War II .

He was born in San Francisco and attended the United States Naval Academy , which he successfully completed in 1911. Before the First World War he served on the USS California and on the destroyer USS Truxtun , of which he became commander in 1915. In November 1916 he was transferred to the light cruiser USS New Orleans . After the end of World War I, he served in the Department of the Navy and from October 1920 to June 1923 as an artillery officer on the battleship USS Idaho . After a post on land he was transferred to the battleship USS Colorado in May 1925 and from April 1926 to July 1928 on the USS Mississippi as an artillery officer. This was followed by activities in different staffs and in July 1938 he became adviser to the President in the Navy area through the recommendation of the doctor of Franklin D. Roosevelt , Ross T. McIntire, the former ship's doctor of the USS California . On October 1, 1938, Daniel Callaghan was appointed captain .

From May 1941 to April 1942 he was in command of the heavy cruiser USS San Francisco and then, appointed Rear Admiral , Chief of Staff at the Commander, South Pacific Force . In November 1942, Task Group (TG) 67.4 was used as commander , which was supposed to prevent a Japanese combat group from Guadalcanal from attacking the Henderson Field airfield during the naval battle of Guadalcanal . Although the enemy was superior, he ordered the attack on the Japanese unit. Despite heavy losses, including through self-fire, the Americans managed to force the Japanese to turn away. Callaghan's flagship, the USS San Francisco , was hit relatively early, killing the bridge crew including Admiral Callaghan and most of the command officers. The wounded communications officer Lieutenant Commander Bruce McCandless took command of the ship and continued the battle.

Daniel Callaghan was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for sacrificing his life in battle and showing extraordinary heroism.

Two US Navy warships were named after him:

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personal data
SURNAME	Callaghan, Daniel J.
ALTERNATIVE NAMES	Callaghan, Daniel Judson
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	American admiral in the US Navy
DATE OF BIRTH	July 26, 1890
PLACE OF BIRTH	San Francisco , California
DATE OF DEATH	November 13, 1942
Place of death	Guadalcanal (Solomon Islands)