Joseph T. O'Callahan

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Joseph Timothy O'Callahan
Jesuit
priest
Chaplain Joseph O'Callahan ministers to an injured man aboard USS Franklin, 1945.

Joseph Timothy O'Callahan (May 14, 1905 – March 18, 1964) was a

Jesuit priest and, during World War II, a United States Navy chaplain. He was awarded the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during and after an attack on the aircraft carrier aboard which he was serving, USS Franklin
.

Early years and career

O'Callahan was born on May 14, 1905, in the

Weston Jesuit School of Theology (Weston College). He served as the director of the Mathematics Department at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts
from 1938 to 1940.

Among his students at Holy Cross was John V. Power, who would himself be awarded the Medal of Honor, although posthumously, during World War II. After the war, while O'Callahan was a patient at Saint Vincent Hospital, he was tended to by Power's sister, Patricia Power Rose, a nurse.[3]

Military service

Appointed

U.S. Navy Reserve on August 7, 1940, Chaplain O'Callahan advanced progressively in rank and attained that of commander in July 1945. His first assignment at sea was on USS Ranger, participating in Operation Torch off North Africa in 1942 and Operation Leader off Norway in 1943.[4]

While in active service, O'Callahan reported aboard USS Franklin on March 2, 1945. 17 days later, the ship was severely damaged at dawn by two bombs from a lone Japanese aircraft. The

President Harry Truman intervened after the resulting public outcry and the Medal of Honor was awarded to O'Callahan on January 23, 1946.[6] He was the first Naval Chaplain
so decorated.

Military awards

O'Callahan (right) with President Harry S. Truman (center) and other Medal of Honor recipients at their medal presentation ceremony in 1946.
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Medal of Honor
Purple Heart American Defense Service Medal American Campaign Medal
campaign stars
 Asiatic–Pacific Campaign Medal w/ 1 campaign star World War II Victory Medal

Medal of Honor citation

O'Callahan's official citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as chaplain on board the U.S.S. Franklin when that vessel was fiercely attacked by enemy Japanese aircraft during offensive operations near Kobe, Japan, on 19 March 1945. A valiant and forceful leader, calmly braving the perilous barriers of flame and twisted metal to aid his men and his ship, Lt. Comdr. O'Callahan groped his way through smoke-filled corridors to the open flight deck and into the midst of violently exploding bombs, shells, rockets, and other armament. With the ship rocked by incessant explosions, with debris and fragments raining down and fires raging in ever-increasing fury, he ministered to the wounded and dying, comforting and encouraging men of all faiths; he organized and led firefighting crews into the blazing inferno on the flight deck; he directed the jettisoning of live ammunition and the flooding of the magazine; he manned a hose to cool hot, armed bombs rolling dangerously on the listing deck, continuing his efforts, despite searing, suffocating smoke which forced men to fall back gasping and imperiled others who replaced them. Serving with courage, fortitude, and deep spiritual strength, Lt. Cmdr. O'Callahan inspired the gallant officers and men of the Franklin to fight heroically and with profound faith in the face of almost certain death and to return their stricken ship to port.[7]

Later life

O'Callahan returned to Holy Cross in the fall of 1948 as the head of the Mathematics Department. He died on March 16, 1964, and is buried in the Jesuit cemetery on campus. His Medal of Honor resides in the Archives at The College of the Holy Cross.

In 1956, O'Callahan wrote an account of the attack titled I was Chaplain on the Franklin. His service is also recounted in the story "Father Joe" by his nephew, storyteller Jay O'Callahan.

USS O'Callahan (DE-1051), a U.S. Navy destroyer escort later re-classified as a frigate, was named in his honor.

See also

References

  1. ISBN 978-1-84176-613-3
    .
  2. Naval History & Heritage Command
    . January 14, 2001. Retrieved July 25, 2010.
  3. ^ Whearley, Jay (July 25, 2010). "Intertwined heroes: Out of Holy Cross came 3 honored for bravery". Telegram & Gazette. Worcester, Massachusetts. Archived from the original on July 26, 2010.
  4. LCCN 56010786
    .
  5. ^ "FATHER O'CALLAHAN SPURNS NAVY CROSS". The Bell Syndicate, Inc. 8 December 1945. Retrieved 1 June 2015.[permanent dead link]
  6. ^ "Daily Appointment Sheet for President Harry S. Truman". National Archives. Retrieved April 20, 2019.
  7. ^ "Medal of Honor recipients - World War II (M–S)". Medal of Honor citations. United States Army Center of Military History. August 3, 2009. Archived from the original on April 30, 2008. Retrieved July 25, 2010.

External links

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