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O'CALLAHAN, JOSEPH TIMOTHY; Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient WW II

O'CALLAHAN, JOSEPH TIMOTHY; Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient WW II

Posted: 18 Nov 2006 4:33PM GMT
Classification: Military
Surnames: O'Callahan
Source: http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/moh1.htm

O'CALLAHAN, JOSEPH TIMOTHY

Rank and organization: Commander (Chaplain Corps), U.S. Naval Reserve, U.S.S. Franklin. Place and date: Near Kobe, Japan, 19 March 1945. Entered service at: Massachusetts. Born: 14 May 1904, Boston, Mass. Citation: 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. Comdr. 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.


BURIAL INFORMATION

Location: Worcester, Massachusetts

Cemetery: Holy Cross College Cemetery

Born: 1904 Boston, MA

Died: 1964


Additional Information and cemetery monument photo:

http://www.homeofheroes.com/gravesites/states/pages_go/ocall...

BIO: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Timothy_O%27Callahan


Note: This is not my ancestry. I have NO additional information. I am just passing along information that may be useful.

* Feel free to pass this on to other appropriate resources.
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