august july united_states_navy officer served captain battleship uss missouri inaugural commander course years served country wars naval career began destroyer final months world war following command destroyer uss james logistical work prior world war took command missouri best known ordering despite disagreement crew honorable funeral held enemy pilot died suicide attack missouri following world war directed navy transportation service filled senior command roles eastern asia including leadership korean war retired navy rank vice admiral worked civilian maritime transport retiring maryland early life born august son businessman family devout roman catholic elder brother later navy rear admiral posthumous medal honor recipient brothers studied san_francisco elder graduating class subsequently attended graduating military career early service served destroyer months world war received master science degree electrical engineering columbia_university served assistant engineering officer board light cruiser performing scouting duties lieutenant aboard aircraft carrier uss ship commands rank commander captained destroyer uss james june march subsequently joined staff chief naval operations entered world war stationed london logistical role world war served logistics officer staff commander chief admiral received work june captain uss missouri battleship commissioned navy commanded missouri engagements okinawa tokyo attack uss missouri april coast japanese fighter pilot zero launched attack uss missouri time recalled attacking plane approached extreme angle estimated feet water struck intense fire plane survived struck ship starboard frame main deck impact plane wings started fire inch mount number pound bomb detonate damage minimal american casualties japanese pilot died parts plane wreckage half pilot body landed board missouri plane wing turned crew cut despite protests crew insisted young japanese job best ability honor deserved military funeral time later recalled able recover body called bridge ask throw overboard captain said secure sick bay burial tomorrow crew member gave account events recalling half japanese pilot body scattered deck half fell rest plane sea remained body brought sick bay examination missouri crew took clothing including helmet jacket following examination remains placed canvas bag dummy shell weigh following day japanese pilot received military funeral sea improvised japanese flag ship mates covered bag holding man remains ship chaplain committed body sea let slide overboard accompanied volley rifle fire wrote bitterness crew honorable thing according visitor operations director said ceremony simply tribute fellow warrior displayed courage devotion paid ultimate sacrifice life fighting country passed command missouri captain classmate senior commands held rank year gave presentation experience war october appointed commander later promoted vice admiral time korean war commanded served commander replaced retiring vice admiral commander retired navy rank vice admiral later life following retirement military service served vice president chairman later transport ship named admiral late life resided maryland following stroke died july wife second wife survived wife children retired navy rear admiral grandchildren grandchildren include great grandchildren include connor legacy decision japanese pilot funeral receive praise years later memorial service aboard missouri april attracted controversy leading service son said father believed burial sea pilot right thing felt set good example crew showing respect life people people opposing niece japanese pilots killed april battle said want thank captain humanitarian consideration soldiers japanese consul general called actions glorious deed salute pilot bravery senator hawaii reflected dawn civilization warriors respected adversaries code honor saw broken body sworn enemy lying ship saw enemy simply man reunion missouri veterans present served world war felt reflection captain acted correctly retired navy vice admiral said wartime courage measured actions strength leadership heat battle think leadership qualities showed captain illustrate ideal want military leaders follow
William M. Callaghan