STATUS:
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Awarded:
March 23,
1978
Laid
down: October 23, 1978
Launched: December 1, 1979
Commissioned: August 29, 1981 (US Navy)
Decommissioned: March 31, 1998 (US Navy)
Fate: sold to Taiwan (ROC) - May 30, 2003;
commissioned
as DDG-1802 ROCS
Su Ao on December
17, 2005; in service;
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Rear
Admiral Daniel Judson Callaghan (July 26, 1890 – November 13, 1942):
Daniel Judson Callaghan was born
on 26 July 1890 in San Francisco, California. He was appointed to the U.S.
Naval Academy from that same state and graduated as a Midshipman in 1911. He
reported to USS California and was promoted to an Ensign in March 1912.
Callaghan transferred to USS Truxton and was promoted to Lieutenant Junior
Grade in March 1915, later assuming command. Continuing sea duty, he reported
in November 1916 to USS New Orleans. Upon the United States' entry into World
War I, he was temporarily promoted to Lieutenant in July 1917, then to
Lieutenant Commander a year later. In November, Callaghan was assigned to the
Bureau of Navigation in Washington D.C.. Returning to sea, he received orders
to USS Idaho, where his promotion to Lieutenant Commander was made permanent.
In June 1923, he began a tour at the Board of Inspection and Survey, Pacific
Coast Section at San Francisco, California.
In May 1925, Callaghan was assigned to USS Colorado , later transferring to
USS Mississippi. After these tours, he returned to the Pacific Coast Section
of the Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey. In June 1930, he became Aide
first to Commander, Battleships Battle Force, Commander Battle Force then to
Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet where he was promoted to Commander in June
1931. For his next tour, Callaghan was the Executive Officer of the NROTC
Unit at the University of California, Berkley, California. He then completed
a brief tour on board USS Portland before reporting as the Operations Officer
to Commander, Cruisers Scouting Force. In July 1938, he received orders as
Naval Aide to President Franklin D. Roosevelt and was promoted to Captain
that October.
In May 1941, Callaghan assumed command of USS San Francisco. After the United
States' entry into World War II, he was promoted to Rear Admiral in April
1942 and became Chief of Staff to Commander, South Pacific Force. On 12-13
November, while serving as Commander of Task Force Sixty-Seven.Four on board
flagship San Francisco, he took part in the bitterly fought Guadalcanal
Campaign against the Japanese off Savo Island. Despite the enemy's superior
naval power and navigational communication problems, Callaghan's tactical
skills contributed to turn the tide of the war against the Japanese in the
Pacific. While directing close-range operations on the bridge wing in the
middle of the night, he was mortally wounded by enemy bombardment. For his
"extraordinary heroism", he was posthumously awarded the Medal of
Honor. Daniel J. Callaghan was buried at sea and is listed on the American
Battle Monuments Commission's "Wall of the Missing" at Manila,
Philippine Islands.
USS Callaghan (DD-792), 1943-1945 and (DDG-994), 1981-1998 were named in
honor of Rear Admiral Daniel J. Callaghan.
Medal of Honor citation of Rear Admiral Daniel J. Callaghan, USN.
(as printed in the official
publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 166):
"For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous intrepidity above and beyond
the call of duty during action against enemy Japanese forces off Savo Island
on the night of 12-13 November 1942. Although out-balanced in strength and
numbers by a desperate and determined enemy, Rear Admiral Callaghan, with
ingenious tactical skill and superb coordination of the units under his
command, led his forces into battle against tremendous odds, thereby
contributing decisively to the rout of a powerful invasion fleet and to the
consequent frustration of a formidable Japanese offensive. While faithfully
directing close-range operations in the face of furious bombardment by the
superior enemy fire power, he was killed on the bridge of his Flagship. His
courageous initiative, inspiring leadership, and judicious foresight in a
crisis of grave responsibility were in keeping with the finest traditions of
the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the defense of
his coutnry."
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USS
Callaghan (DDG 994):
USS Callaghan (DD/DDG-994) was
the second ship of the Kidd class of destroyers operated by the U.S. Navy.
Derived from the Spruance class, these vessels were designed for air defense
in hot weather. She was named for Rear Admiral Daniel J. Callaghan, who was
killed in action aboard his flagship, the heavy cruiser San Francisco, during
the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal on 13 November 1942.
Originally to be named Daryush, the ship was ordered by the Shah of Iran, but
was undelivered when the 1979 Iranian Revolution occurred. Subsequent to
this, the U.S. Navy elected to commission her and her sister ships for
service in the Persian Gulf and Mediterranean Sea, as they were equipped with
heavy-duty air conditioning and were also well suited to filtering sand and the
results from NBC warfare.
She was commissioned in 1981, and home ported in San Diego, California at NAS
North Island.
On 1 September 1983 Callaghan was on deployment to the Western Pacific, and
making a port visit in Sasebo, Japan. Korean Air Lines Flight 007, on its way
from Anchorage, Alaska to Seoul, Korea, carrying 269 passengers and crew,
strayed into Soviet airspace. A Soviet Sukhoi Su-15 fighter jet was sent up
to destroy the intruding Boeing 747. After the attack, the Callaghan's crew
was recalled and sent to search for survivors. During its survey of the crash
site, the Callaghan was under very close scrutiny of the Soviet Navy,
narrowly avoiding open conflict while engaged in their search. No survivors
were found. The Callaghan received a Meritorious Unit Citation from the U.S.
Navy and a special citation from the South Korean government for its role in
the mission.
Callaghan earned her first Battle Efficiency E for grade period July 1983 to
December 1984, and earned the Humanitarian Service Medal for saving two
boatloads of people in the South China Sea.
For grading period January 1985 to June 1986 Callaghan earned her second
Battle Efficiency E by winning all the awards from the ships in competition.
On her return to port, with the news of her clean sweep, the Captain ordered
that every lanyard on the ship would display a broom, to honor the crew and
show all ships present the outstanding accomplishment. Clean sweeps are rare.
Callaghan was decommissioned in 1998.
Current status
Callaghan was sold to Taiwan (Republic of China) in 2004. She was originally
to be named Ming Teh, but it was later decided to name her ROCS Su Ao
(DDG-1802), after the Su-Ao naval base in eastern Taiwan, and become the
second ship of the new ROCN Kee Lung class of destroyers.
After almost two years of refit and training in the USA, Su Ao was
commissioned on 17 December 2005 at Kee-Lung naval port in northern Taiwan.
source: wikipedia
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