BROTHER OF U.S. HERO

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 1 June 1943, Page 5

BROTHER OF U.S. HERO

INTERVIEW IN AUCKLAND Auckland, May 31. The affection and regard in which the late Rear-Admiral Daniel Judson Callaghan, U.S.A., was held by his fellow officers in the United States Navy was shown to-day when Vice-Admiral William L. Calhoun, U.S.N., Commander of Services of Supply for the Pacific Fleet, personally' arranged a Press interview with the late Rear-Ad-miral’s brother. Captain William M. Callaghan, U.S.N. The latter is making his first visit to the country where his brother served as chief of staff to Vice-Admiral R. L. Ghormley before going to the Solomons and meeting his death last November in circumstances of extraordinary gallantry. Rear-Admiral Callaghan took the cruiser San Francisco right into the middle of the Japanese fleet, but he was killed before he had time to witness the fruits of his magnificent courage. He was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honour, which is the American equivalent of the Victoria Cross.

His brother. Captain Callaghan, said to-day that Rear-Admiral Callaghan was killed by a shell which hit the overhead of the bridge 10 feet from where he was standing. This was 12 minutes after the opening of the action, and he had time only to place his ships in position. He was buried at sea on the way back to the rear base. Asked whether he had yet been in action against the Japanese. Captain Callaghan said, “Unfortunately I have not run up against them, but I hope to.” Captain Callaghan, who is nine years younger than his dead brother, mentioned that Admiral Callaghan’s son. also named Daniel Judson Callaghan, but invariably known as Judson, was a lieutenant in the United States naval reserve and was at present on active duty in the Pacific. Judson Callaghan, he said, was a football star for the University of California.

Admiral Calhoun interjected enthusiastically that he had seen the boy play against the University of Alabama in the last rose bowl game before he left the university “He was instrumental : n winning the game,” said Admiral Calhoun.

Captain Callaghan said he had seen his brother last about a month and a half before his death Captain Callaghan was then paying a visit to the South Pacific area as an officer on the staff of Admiral Chester W. Nimitz. Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Fleet. He said Admiral Callaghan had told him how grateful he was to the people of New Zealand and how much he appreciated their attitude toward the Americans. He had also said he greatly valued the many kindnesses of New Zealand friends he had made while on duty in the Dominion. —P.A.