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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- PEOPLE -- UNITED STATES --

Captain Joseph T. O'Callahan, Chaplain Corps, USNR, (1905-1964)

Joseph Timothy O'Callahan was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on 14 May 1905. He joined the Jesuit Order of the Roman Catholic Church in 1922, after graduation from preparatory school, and subsequently received degrees from several institutions of higher learning. He was ordained in 1934, and was a Professor of Mathematics, Philosophy and Physics at Boston College in 1929-37, Professor of Philosophy at the Jesuit Seminary of Weston College in 1937-38 and Director of the Mathematics Department at Holy Cross College, Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1938-40.

Father O'Callahan was commissioned as a Lieutenant (Junior Grade) in the Naval Reserve Chaplain Corps in August 1940. He was assigned to the Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida, in 1940-42, to the aircraft carrier Ranger in 1942-44 and to the Naval Air Stations at Alameda, California, and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, into early 1945. Lieutenant Commander O'Callahan joined the the aircraft carrier Franklin in early March 1945. A few weeks later, when his ship was badly damaged by a Japanese air attack, he distinguished himself comforting the injured and leading damage control and ammunition jettisoning parties. The ship's Commanding Officer described O'Callahan as "the bravest man I ever saw". For his heroism on board Franklin, Lieutenant Commander O'Callahan was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Promoted to the rank of Commander in July 1945, O'Callahan served at the Navy Department and at the Naval Training Station, Newport, Rhode Island, until October 1945, when he reported on board the new aircraft carrier Franklin D. Roosevelt. In 1946, he served as Escort Chaplain as the body of the late Philippines President Manuel Quezon was carried from the United States to Manila. Released from active duty in November 1946, Commander O'Callahan returned to Holy Cross College as Professor of Philosophy. Upon his retirement from the Naval Reserve in November 1953, he was advanced to the rank of Captain on the basis of his combat awards. Joseph T. O'Callahan died at Worcester, Massachusetts, on 18 March 1964.

The escort ship USS O'Callahan (DE-1051, later FF-1051), 1968-1994, was named in honor of Joseph T. O'Callahan.

This page features our only views of Captain Joseph T. O'Callahan, USNR(ChC).


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

Photo #: 80-G-K-5003-B (Color)

Lieutenant Commander Joseph T. O'Callahan, USNR(ChC)

Photographed wearing the Service Dress Grey uniform, circa April-July 1945.
He was awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism on board USS Franklin (CV-13) when she was badly damaged on 19 March 1945.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Online Image: 48KB; 595 x 765 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 
Photo #: NH 47538

Lieutenant Commander Joseph T. O'Callahan, USNR(ChC)


Photograph taken circa spring 1945. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism on board USS Franklin (CV-13), off Japan on 19 March 1945.
Halftone reproduction, copied from the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1948, The Navy", page 231.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 141KB; 590 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: 80-G-49132

Lieutenant Commander Joseph T. O'Callahan, USNR(ChC)


Gives "Last Rites" to an injured crewman aboard USS Franklin (CV-13), after the ship was set afire by a Japanese air attack, 19 March 1945.
The crewman is reportedly Robert C. Blanchard, who survived his injuries.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Online Image: 79KB; 740 x 615 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 
Photo #: NH 49175

Commander Joseph T. O'Callahan, USNR(ChC)
(left)

Meets with Admiral Henry Kent Hewitt, in the Offices of the Chief of Naval Operations, circa summer 1945, following Admiral Hewitt's return to the United States from London and Chaplain O'Callahan's promotion to the rank of Commander.
O'Callahan was awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism on board USS Franklin (CV-13), off Japan on 19 March 1945.

Collection of Admiral Henry Kent Hewitt.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 80KB; 585 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: 80-G-702148

Commander Joseph T. O'Callahan, USNR(ChC)
,
Catholic Chaplain of USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVB-42)

Celebrates military Mass at the high altar of the Candaleria Cathedral, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, while Franklin D. Roosevelt was visiting that city during her shakedown cruise, February 1946. Members of the ship's crew are assisting Commander O'Callahan.
Note Marines at left, one holding an M1 Rifle.
Photograph was released for publication on 18 March 1946.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Online Image: 156KB; 740 x 615 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 



Medal of Honor citation of Lieutenant Commander Joseph Timothy O'Callahan (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 231):

"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, Lieutenant Commander 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 fire-fighting 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, Lieutenant Commander 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."


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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Page made 14 January 2001