Daniel J. Callaghan
| Daniel Judson Callaghan | |
|---|---|
 
Callaghan on the bridge of USS San Francisco in 1942
|
|
| Nickname(s) | Dan |
| Born |
July 26, 1890 San Francisco, California, USA |
| Died | November 13, 1942 (aged 52) Near Savo Island |
| Place of burial | At sea |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Navy
|
| Years of service | 1911–1942 |
| Rank |
 Rear Admiral
|
| Unit | Task Force 67 |
| Commands held |
USS Truxtun (DD-14) USS San Francisco (CA-38) Task Group 67.4 |
| Battles/wars |
World War I World War II * Naval Battle of Guadalcanal † |
| Awards |
Medal of Honor (posthumous) Distinguished Service Medal Purple Heart |
| Relations | William Callaghan (brother) |
Daniel Judson Callaghan (July 26, 1890 – November 13, 1942) 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 over 30 years, he served his country in two wars. He served on several ships during his first 20 years of service, including escort duties during World War I, and also filled some shore-based 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 USS San Francisco (CA-38), 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 (1897–1991), 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 USS California (ACR-6), in command of a turret with twin 8-inch guns. He was promoted to the rank of Ensign on May 21, 1912.
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