William M. Callaghan
| William McCombe Callaghan | |
|---|---|
Callaghan on the bridge of USS Missouri in 1944
|
|
| Nickname(s) | Bill |
| Born |
August 8, 1897 San Francisco, California, USA |
| Died |
July 8, 1991 (aged 93) Bethesda, Maryland, USA |
| Place of burial | Arlington County, Virginia, USA |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America |
| Service/branch |
 United States Navy
|
| Years of service | 1918–1957 |
| Rank |
 Vice Admiral
|
| Commands held |
USS Reuben James (DD-245) USS Missouri (BB-63) Military Sea Transportation Service |
| Battles/wars |
World War I World War II * Battle of Okinawa Korean War |
| Awards |
 Legion of MeritOrder 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 (BB-63) and the inaugural commander of the Military Sea Transportation Service. 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 (DD-245) and logistical work prior to World War II, he took command of the Missouri in 1944.
Callaghan is perhaps best known for ordering, despite disagreement from some of his crew, that an honorable funeral be held for an enemy pilot who died during a suicide attack on the Missouri in 1945. Following World War II, he directed the US Navy's transportation service and filled senior command roles in eastern Asia, including leadership of the US Pacific Fleet's Amphibious Force 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.
Callaghan was born on August 8, 1897, the son of businessman Charles William Callaghan and Rose Wheeler Callaghan. The family was devout Roman Catholic. His elder brother, Daniel Callaghan (1890–1942), would later become a US Navy rear admiral and posthumous Medal of Honor recipient. Both brothers studied at Saint Ignatius College Preparatory in San Francisco, Daniel graduating in the class of 1907 and William seven years later. Both men also subsequently attended the United States Naval Academy, 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.
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