Father Joseph O’Callahan earned the Medal of Honor for his life saving efforts on the USS Franklin after it was hit by a kamikaze off Iwo Jima. A Jesuit, he ignore danger to give last rights to dying Americans on the carrier’s deck and organized a party to wet down a magazine to prevent rounds from cooking off. He was a great example for all the sailors aboard ship on that horrible day, truly living the “men for others” ethos of the Jesuits. Honor and remember him!

From Boston Massachusettes, O’Callahan joined the Jesuits after Boston College High School, eventually teaching math, physics and philosophy at Boston College and then Holy Cross. He taught John Power, Marine Corps officer who earned the Medal of Honor posthumously on Kwajalein.

O’Callahan joined the Navy in 1940 and served aboard the USS Ranger during Operation Torch, the invasion of North Africa, and Operation Leader, off of Norway. He had only joined the Franklin 17 days before the terrible attack on the USS Franklin.

O’Callahan first received the Navy Cross, which he refused to accept. Rumors circulated that the Navy did not want to call attention to failures by the Franklin’s captain, Leslie Gehres, who some believe was a toxic leader whose ineptitude led to the Franklin’s ordeal. A public uproar led to President Truman awarding O’Callahan the Medal of Honor.

O’Callahan returned to Holy Cross and became head of the mathematics department, passing away in 1964. Honor and remember him! You can read his Medal of Honor citation here: