Callaghan (DDG 994) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 8 text:

THE FIRST CALLAGHAN Built by the Bethlehem Steel Company of San Pedro, California, her keel was laid on 21 February 1943, and USS CALLAGHAN (DD 792) was placed in commission on 27 November 1943. Commander F. J. Johnson, USN, assumed the first command. CALLAGHAN left the United States on 5 February 1944 for Pearl Harbor. Operating out of Pearl Harbor until 28 February, she steamed to Kwajalein and Majuro to join Task Group 50.15. On 30 March and 01 April, air strikes were launched from escort carriers of the Task Group while CALLAGHAN and other destroyers screened the carriers from submarine attack. At the end of April, the ship departed for Pearl Harbor. On 30 May 1944 she got underway for the Marshall Islands. On 11 June she sortied from Eniwetok screening the escort carriers MIDWAY, WHITE PLAINS, and KALININ BAY as they operated east of Saipan in support of the landings there. CALLAGHAN rendezvoused with Task Group 58.4 on 05 August to protect the carriers who were providing air support for the fighting on Guam. On 29 August, the destroyer was again steaming off Palau, Mindanao, Luzon and the Central Philippines striking at the Japanese. After sweeps over the Philippines, the group raced to get in position to launch a dawn attack against units of the Japanese fleet. Task Group 38.3 sortied again on 01 November enroute to Manus but was rerouted to the Philippines because of in- creasing enemy naval and air activity. In late December and January, CALLAGHAN participated in strikes against Formosa, Luzon, Camranh Bay, Saigon, the south China coast, and Hong Kong before sailing to Iwo Jima to participate in the landings there. After Iwo Jima, she provided support for the landings at Okinawa. CALLAGHAN continued operating off Okinawa on fire support and screening assign- ments until taking a radar picket station on 9 July 1945. Just after midnight on the morning of 29 July, General Quarters rang through the ship as a lone plane was detected approaching the patrol group. The Japanese, piloting an antiquated biplane, dived on CALLAGHAN and was driven off by heavy anti-aircraft fire. He came back, skimming the water unobserved until just before he reached the destroyer. He hit CALLAGHAN on the starboard side sending up a towering 150 foot sheet of flame from the after section of the ship. CALLAGHAN sank stern first at 0235 bringing a violent end to the career of a proud fighting ship.

Page 7 text:

IN DEDICA TION TO THE LOVED ONES WE LEFT RFHIND As I look at the ocean I can’t help but think of the people I love so much that I’ll always be close to and never forget. The seas are so endless like my feeling for you they run like the currents with strength and freedom may it never come to an end. The waters just roll in As the days seem to pass and soon I’ll be there to hold you all night and never let you go. The water seems so blue but I never feel lonely no matter where I go cause I just think of you and never feel bad. So like the waves of the ocean which always roll in and they just never end don’t ever feel blue because I’ll always come back to you! 3

Page 9 text:

TODAY’S CALLAGHAN Today’s USS CALLAGHAN (DDG 994) is even more capable than her predecessor. She is de- signed to meet and defeat threats from the air, other ships, or submarines with the newest combat system in the fleet. Originally designed to specifications for sale to the Iranian Navy, CALLAGHAN is a combination of the VIRGINIA class cruiser’s combat systems suite and the SPRUANCE class destroyer’s quiet responsive propulsion plant. The degree of automation throughout the ship permits CALLAGHAN to be manned by fewer men than her predecessor, although she is nearly 200 feet longer and over four times the displacement. Since her commissioning in 1981, CALLAGHAN has proven her name and earned an enviable reputation. Her maiden deployment in 1983 included escort duty with the newly re-commis- sioned battleship USS NEW JERSEY (BB 62), rescue of 287 refugees off the coast of Southeast Asia, and search and rescue operations for Korean Air Lines Flight 007. She conducted a number of international joint exercises and served as a member of USS MIDWAY’S Battle Group. CAL- LAGHAN was awarded the Humanitarian Service Medal for rescue of the refugees and the Mer- itorious Unit Commendation for her actions in the “KAL 007” operations. In February 1985, CALLAGHAN deployed to the Western Pacific Group. While on deployment, the ship received notification of the overall Battle Efficiency “E” Award for destroyer Squadron SEVENTEEN and was awarded the Commander, Naval Surface Forces, U.S. Pacific fleet Anti- Surface Warfare Award. By 1986, CALLAGHAN was awarded her second consecutive Battle “E” award from Destroyer Squadron FIVE. In January 1987, CALLAGHAN embarked on a six-month, round-the-world cruise that included three months in the North Arabian Sea lndian Ocean with the USS KITTY HAWK (CV 63) Battle Group. In January 1988, CALLAGHAN was awarded her third consecutive Battle Efficiency “E”. In August 1988, CALLAGHAN deployed for six months of duties in the Arabian Gulf. An HSL- 35 detachment was attached to CALLAGHAN and received U.S. Pacific Fleet’s LAMPS Safety Award. CALLAGHAN returned from deployment in February 1989. In September 1989, CALLAGHAN entered Long Beach Naval Shipyard for a year-long New Threat Upgrade Overhaul. In addition to major overhaul of equipment, it included outfitting the ship with SM-2 MR (Standard) missiles, the SPS-49 and 48E radars, three new 2500 KW Generators and a new clutch system for the propulsion plant. After completing New Threat Upgrade, CALLAGHAN successfully completed all pre-deployment inspections and was ready for World Cruise 1992. CALLAGHAN is homeported in San Diego and serves in Destroyer Squadron THREE THREE. Ship Dtv n Characterise» I aujc0 c4 Liiw laOaitnn hur»l. 2» One . WM rt Jsm.rv fMO C«NTMOMd 24 Avfw WJ Mr. Urn Cucr c Lcn MJ Im 55 an rv»»« MUi D«« ac«nc« •Mm Ciflf— 25 or,w )J0 t»i«c SlW-5 4 6c« »l f 1KV.C m 500 Mm G » Ttrt-w bfiM rttow SHPi JO Mw. 2 • V a' ' M» 4» Cm »»» 2 Mi 24 CotffC Mnwk umin M.ipv Svurn (Grtm lAStOCl ■ • i w.'« 2 SH-2F • 5