William McCombe Callaghan | |
|---|---|
 Callaghan on the bridge of USS Missouri in 1944 | |
| Nickname(s) | Bill |
| Born | August 8, 1897 San Francisco, California, U.S. |
| Died | July 8, 1991 (aged 93) Bethesda, Maryland, U.S. |
| Place of burial | Arlington County, Virginia, U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1918–1957 |
| Rank | Vice admiral |
| Commands | USS Reuben James (DD-245) USS Missouri (BB-63) Military Sea Transportation Service |
| Battles / wars | World War I World War II Korean War |
| Awards | Legion of Merit[1] Order of the Rising Sun Order of the White Elephant Order of Boyaca |
| Relations | Daniel Callaghan (brother) |
William McCombe Callaghan (August 8, 1897 – July 8, 1991) was a United States Navy officer who served as the first captain of the battleship USS Missouri[2][3][4][5] and the inaugural commander of the Military Sea Transportation Service.[2][6] 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. Following command of the destroyer USS Reuben James and logistical work prior to World War II, 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.[4][5] 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. He retired from the US Navy at the rank of vice admiral in 1957 and worked in civilian maritime transport before retiring to Maryland.
- ^ "William Callaghan, Navy rear admiral, dies at 88 – The Washington Post". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 2018-08-14. Retrieved 2018-08-14.
- ^ a b Fowler, G. (1991): William M. Callaghan dies at 93; headed Logistics Service for Navy Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine 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.
- ^ a b USS Missouri to honor kamikaze: Memorial to pay respects to fallen aviators in '45 attack Archived 2011-06-07 at the Wayback Machine Japan Times Online (March 20, 2001). Retrieved on September 5, 2009.
- ^ a b Burlingame, B. (2001): Navy captain honored for tribute to kamikaze: Even in war, William Callaghan gave the pilot a dignified burial Archived 2012-10-20 at the Wayback Machine Honolulu Star-Bulletin (April 13, 2001). Retrieved on September 5, 2009.
- ^ Military Sealift Command: MSC Timeline 1949–1959 Archived 2011-06-07 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on September 8, 2009.