Daniel J. Callaghan

Daniel Judson Callaghan (July 26, 1890 – November 13, 1942) was a United States Navy officer who served his country in two wars, in a three-decades-long career. Callaghan 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 President Franklin D. 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. At the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, during a surface action against a larger Japanese force off Savo Island, an enemy shell killed Callaghan on the bridge of his flagship, USS San Francisco. Callaghan received the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions. He was the third of five US Navy admirals killed in battle during WWII, including: Isaac C. Kidd (1941, Attack on Pearl Harbor); Norman Scott (earlier on same night, in same battle, as Callaghan); Henry M. Mullinnix (1943, Battle of Makin); and Theodore E. Chandler (1945, invasion of Lingayen Gulf).