Artifact #5 – Captain Callaghan Photo Collection

Description: A collection of original photographs of Captain William McCombe Callaghan, generously donated by the Callaghan family.

Captain Callaghan was the first captain of the USS Missouri, which arrived in the Pacific Theater in February 1945. That month, the ship participated in the first mass air strike against the Japanese homeland, including carrier raids on Tokyo. In March, the Missouri supported operations against Iwo Jima and, in April, took part in the initial bombardment of Okinawa.

During the Battle of Okinawa, a Kamikaze aircraft struck the Missouri, throwing debris and the pilot’s body onto the deck. In a defining moment of leadership, Captain Callaghan ordered that the pilot be buried at sea with full military honors, setting a powerful example for his crew. This act was especially poignant, as Callaghan’s own brother, Rear Admiral Daniel J. Callaghan, had been killed in action during the Battle of the Solomons in 1942.

In May 1945, Captain Callaghan was promoted to Rear Admiral, and command of the Missouri was passed to Captain Stuart “Sunshine” Murray. Vice Admiral Callaghan retired from the U.S. Navy on March 1, 1957, after 38 years of distinguished service. 

In This Exhibit