Daniel J. Callaghan

Daniel Judson Callaghan was a United States Navy officer who received the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. In a career spanning just overyears, he served his country in two wars. He served on several ships during his firstyears of service, including escort duties during World War I, and also filled some shorebased administrative roles. He later came to the attention of US President Franklin Roosevelt, who appointed Callaghan as his Naval Aide in 1938. A few years later, he returned to command duties during the early stages of World War II. Callaghan was killed by an enemy shell on the bridge of his flagship, the USS160San Francisco160, during a surface action against a larger Japanese force off Savo Island. The battle ended in a strategic victory for the Allied side.

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 devout Roman Catholic. One of his younger brothers, William Callaghan , 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. He then graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1911. His first assignment was on board the armored cruiser USS160California160, in command of a turret with twin 8inch guns. He was promoted to the rank of Ensign on May 21, 1912.

Source: Wikipedia