july november united_states_navy officer received medal honor posthumously actions naval battle career spanning years served country wars served ships years service including escort duties world war filled shore based administrative roles later came attention president appointed naval aide years later returned command duties early stages world war killed enemy shell bridge flagship uss san francisco surface action larger japanese force battle ended strategic victory allied early life born july san_francisco california son businessman family devout roman catholic younger brothers later career navy brothers studied san_francisco elder graduating class graduated assignment board armored cruiser uss california command turret twin inch guns promoted rank ensign second assignment destroyer uss promoted years service developed reputation sailor noted avoiding heavy alcohol consumption regularly attending mass dedication naval gunnery apparent years later captains write devotion duty sound judgment ability inspire loyalty subordinates resulted constant steady increase efficiency mentioned batteries recent battle practice inch guns largest percentage hits ship fleet years naval service oakland california married july son born california october july way alaska broke unable continue mission initially blame fell apparently ordered incorrect parts suspended duty ordered appear court martial subsequent investigation found man responsible error received reinstated months later appointed commanding officer stress trial appeared left mark age years hair turned gray world war posting cruiser uss new november following entry united_states world war april new_orleans escorted cargo ships crossing atlantic_ocean time met surgeon later significant impact career according biographer played pivotal role rescue disabled british liner coast ireland times hauled aboard cruiser liner times cruiser size times cable parted captain abandoning job dan strength cooperation men finally secured cable hours new_orleans stayed stricken vessel hauling danger finally handing base following war settled georgetown washington years wife young son time worked warrant chief petty officers navy served aboard newly commissioned battleship uss idaho commencing october family moved oakland began serving fire control officer idaho left idaho june returning shore duties years taking position lieutenant uss colorado colorado transported shipment gold australia returning united_states assignment position gunnery officer board uss mississippi captain wrote scarcely report favorably officer excellent generally particularly looks acts gunnery officer highly successful recommend detail left mississippi july worked naval years served aide commander chief fleet promoted rank commander june served executive officer working uss portland president asked physician recommend position naval aide recommended appointed role july fill years promoted rank captain october world war early stages world war roosevelt released command cruiser uss san_francisco roosevelt wrote great regret letting captain leave naval aide given satisfaction performed duties varieties real efficiency shown real understanding problems service relationship rest government april promoted rank rear admiral appointed chief staff commander south pacific force vice admiral november commander led forces engagement battle bridge uss san francisco incoming enemy fire killed command staff november time navy admiral killed action world war received medal honor posthumously efforts battle following explosion lieutenant commander assumed operational command san_francisco earlier battle rear admiral killed commanders lost staff despite deaths senior officers battle ended strategic victory allied criticized putting ships superior radar systems ends column flagship directing battle flagship bridge instead radar plot issuing battle plans captains issuing confusing orders battle analysis battle led rapid improvement techniques fighting poor visibility particularly adoption combat information centers buried sea survived wife son brother later navy vice admiral captain uss missouri commander order president roosevelt scott posthumously awarded navy medal honor honors awards medal honor medal honor citation read extraordinary heroism conspicuous duty action enemy japanese forces night november balanced strength numbers desperate determined enemy ingenious tactical skill superb coordination units command led forces battle tremendous odds contributing decisively rout powerful invasion fleet consequent frustration formidable japanese offensive directing close range operations face furious bombardment superior enemy fire power killed bridge flagship courageous initiative inspiring leadership crisis grave responsibility keeping finest traditions gave life defense country son lieutenant junior grade time accepted father medal honor behalf honors prior receiving medal honor awarded awards admiral include world war victory medal posthumous awards purple heart world war victory medal legacy navy named ships uss ship commissioned november sponsored widow sank late july result attack second ship commissioned august class named american killed world war sold taiwan years later listed missing manila american cemetery philippines newport rhode_island named honor named street admiral california named monument san_francisco including bridge uss san francisco died honors comrades
Daniel J. Callaghan