TFH 11/12-13: The Naval Battle of Guadalcanal - Four Medals of Honor

Four brave United States Navy sailors were decorated with our Nation's highest award - the Medal of Honor - for their heroic actions during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, part of the larger Guadalcanal Campaign, seventy years ago: November 12-13, 1942. Three of the four gave their lives.

Rear Admiral Daniel Judson Callaghan was born on July 26, 1890 in San Francisco, California. He graduated with the United States Naval Academy class of 1911, served as a surface warfare officer primarily on destroyers and cruisers, and was President Franklin D. Roosevelt's Naval Aide in the months approaching the United States' entry into World War II. Callaghan was promoted to Rear Admiral in April of 1942. He was the commander of Task Group 67.4 with his flag aboard the heavy cruiser USS San Francisco (CA-38). Incoming Japanese fires struck the bridge of the San Francisco, killing Admiral Callaghan and most of the ship's chain of command.

Boatswain's Mate First Class Reinhart John Keppler first enlisted in the Navy in February 1936, was honorably discharged, and reenlisted on April 25, 1940. Keppler was also aboard the San Francisco. After a Japanese torpedo plane crashed into the ship, he put himself at severe risk to both rescue survivors and perform damage control and firefighting efforts that were credited with saving the cruiser to fight again another day.

Lieutenant Commander Bruce McCandless, the son of Commodore Byron McCandless (himself a World War I Navy Cross recipient), was born in August 1911 and graduated with the United States Naval Academy class of 1932. He was the communications officer aboard the San Francisco and took command of the ship when Rear Admiral Callaghan and the rest of the ship's command staff were killed.

Rear Admiral Norman Scott was born August 10, 1889 in Indianapolis, Indiana and was a classmate of Rear Admiral Callaghan with the Naval Academy class of 1911. As with Callaghan, Scott was a surface officer and served mainly in cruisers and destroyers before World War II. He received his promotion to Rear Admiral in May 1942 and was Callaghan's second-in-command of the combined cruiser/destroyer group during the battle. His flagship, the USS Atlanta (CL-51), was struck by a Japanese torpedo and in the confusion of battle, came under friendly-fire from the San Francisco's 8-inch guns.

Here are the stories and citations for these four great Americans.


From Medal of Honor Citations for World War II (A-F):


*CALLAGHAN, DANIEL JUDSON

Rank and organization: Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy. Born: 26 July 1892, San Francisco, Calif. Appointed from: California. Entered service at: Oakland, Calif. Other Navy award: Distinguished Service Medal. Citation: 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 Adm. 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 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 U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the defense of his country.

Rear Admiral Callaghan was buried at sea. The United States Navy has named two ships in his honor. The first USS Callaghan (DD-792), was a Fletcher-class destroyer commissioned on November 27, 1943 and destroyed in a Japanese Kamikaze attack on July 28, 1945. The second USS Callaghan (DD-994), was a Kidd-class guided missile destroyer and served our fleet from 1981 to 1998. She was sold to Taiwan in 2003 and currently sails as the ROCS Su Ao (DDG-1802).


From Medal of Honor Citations for World War II (G-L):


*KEPPLER, REINHARDT JOHN

Rank and organization: Boatswain's Mate First Class, U.S. Navy. Born: 22 January 1918, Ralston, Wash. Accredited to: Washington. Other Navy award: Navy Cross. Citation: For extraordinary heroism and distinguished courage above and beyond the call of duty while serving aboard the U.S.S. San Francisco during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands, 1213 November 1942. When a hostile torpedo plane, during a daylight air raid, crashed on the after machine-gun platform, Keppler promptly assisted in removal of the dead and, by his capable supervision of the wounded, undoubtedly helped save the lives of several shipmates who otherwise might have perished. That night, when the ship's hangar was set afire during the great battle off Savo Island, he bravely led a hose into the starboard side of the stricken area and there, without assistance and despite frequent hits from terrific enemy bombardment, eventually brought the fire under control. Later, although mortally wounded, he labored valiantly in the midst of bursting shells, persistently directing fire-fighting operations and administering to wounded personnel until he finally collapsed from loss of blood. His great personal valor, maintained with utter disregard of personal safety, was in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Keppler's remains were repatriated to the United States and he rests in peace at the Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno, California. The Gearing-class destroyer USS Keppler (DD-765) served with the Navy from 1947-1972 and later with the Turkish Navy. The ship was scrapped in the 1980s.


From Medal of Honor Citations for World War II (M-S):


McCANDLESS, BRUCE

Rank and organization: Commander, U.S. Navy, U.S.S. San Francisco. Place and date: Battle off Savo Island, 1213 November 1942. Entered service at: Colorado. Born: 12 August 1911, Washington, D.C. Other Navy award: Silver Star. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and exceptionally distinguished service above and beyond the call of duty as communication officer of the U.S.S. San Francisco in combat with enemy Japanese forces in the battle off Savo Island, 1213 November 1942. In the midst of a violent night engagement, the fire of a determined and desperate enemy seriously wounded Lt. Comdr. McCandless and rendered him unconscious, killed or wounded the admiral in command, his staff, the captain of the ship, the navigator, and all other personnel on the navigating and signal bridges. Faced with the lack of superior command upon his recovery, and displaying superb initiative, he promptly assumed command of the ship and ordered her course and gunfire against an overwhelmingly powerful force. With his superiors in other vessels unaware of the loss of their admiral, and challenged by his great responsibility, Lt. Comdr. McCandless boldly continued to engage the enemy and to lead our column of following vessels to a great victory. Largely through his brilliant seamanship and great courage, the San Francisco was brought back to port, saved to fight again in the service of her country.

McCandless was promoted to Commander along with the presentation of his Medal of Honor and continued to serve aboard the San Francisco until being appointed commander of the destroyer USS Gregory (DD-802) in 1944. He retired from the Navy on September 1, 1952 and was promoted to Rear Admiral at his retirement. He passed away on January 24, 1968 (less than a year after his father) and is buried at the United States Naval Academy Cemetery and Columbarium, Annapolis, Maryland. His son, Bruce McCandless II, also graduated from the Naval Academy and was selected as a NASA Astronaut in 1966. He made two flights aboard the Space Shuttle in 1994 and 1990.

The USS McCandless (FF-1084), a Knox-class frigate, was named for both Commodore and Rear Admiral McCandless and served with the Navy from 1972 to 1994. The ship was sold to Turkey but is no longer in service.



*SCOTT, NORMAN

Rank and organization: Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy. Born: 10 August 1889, Indianapolis, Ind. Appointed from: Indiana. Citation: 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 11-12 October and again on the night of 12-13 November 1942. In the earlier action, intercepting a Japanese Task Force intent upon storming our island positions and landing reinforcements at Guadalcanal, Rear Adm. Scott, with courageous skill and superb coordination of the units under his command, destroyed 8 hostile vessels and put the others to flight. Again challenged, a month later, by the return of a stubborn and persistent foe, he led his force into a desperate battle against tremendous odds, directing close-range operations against the invading enemy until he himself was killed in the furious bombardment by their superior firepower. On each of these occasions his dauntless initiative, inspiring leadership and judicious foresight in a crisis of grave responsibility contributed decisively to the rout of a powerful invasion fleet and to the consequent frustration of a formidable Japanese offensive. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.

As indicated, Rear Admiral Scott's Medal of Honor citation also encompasses his actions during the Battle of Cape Esperance, October 11-12, 1942. His remains sank with the Atlanta on November 13, 1942. As with Callaghan, the Navy has named two warships in his honor - both of them also sisters of those named for his fellow admiral. The USS Norman Scott (DD-690) served from 1943 to 1973 and was scrapped. The USS Scott (DDG-995) served from 1981 to 1998 and is currently serving Taiwan as  the ROCS Kee Lung (DDG-1801).