10-06-2004

MOH Recipients: One Warship, One Battle, Four Medals of Honor



Editor’s Note: During the second naval battle for Guadalcanal, fought during Nov. 11-16, 1942, the cruiser USS San Francisco (CA-38) was one of two heavy cruisers leading a force of 13 warships to attack Japanese ships attempting to land additional troops on the island (the U.S. Army landed a division on Guadalcanal on Nov. 12). An account of the ensuing battle vividly depicted the chaos and confusion that reigned on both sides:



“The Japanese did not expect the U.S. force that night and the big guns were loaded with high explosives shells. The Americans maneuvered by radar to bring all guns to bear but were sighted by Japanese eyes and their guns were reloaded with armor piercing shells. Suddenly a Japanese searchlight illuminated the lead cruiser. Atlanta fired her 16- 5” guns, but received 14” shells and two torpedoes. Cushing and Laffey rushed to her aid and suffered a similar fate. San Francisco took 14” shells, Portland and Juneau each took a torpedo. A torpedo split Barton in two and Monssen took shellfire. After 24 minutes of confused firing, both sides retired. The escaping American ships were sighted by [Japanese] submarine I-26 and already damaged Juneau exploded and went down in minutes taking the five Sullivan brothers with her. The U.S. lost 1,000 men including two admirals.”



Despite the high American losses, and the Japanese success in landing its soldiers on Guadalcanal, the U.S. Navy had seized the strategic initiative in the region. The history went on:



“The Japanese now had 32,000 troops on Guadalcanal, but their Navy had to give up on support. The Tokyo Express of destroyers continued to run at night to bring in supplies, but only could bring in enough to sustain the troops; they could not bring any more reinforcements. The American airfields on Guadalcanal had survived and continued to grow. It took another two months for the Japanese Army to give up and withdraw. From this point onward, the Japanese could only retreat.”



The heroism of American sailors, soldiers, airmen and Marines throughout the Guadalcanal fight can be adduced by the experience of the USS San Francisco crew, four of whom received the Medal of Honor as a result of acts of heroism during the furious fighting:



Callaghan, Daniel J., Rear Adm. USN


Organization: U.S. Navy, USS San Francisco (CA-38)



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 firepower, 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.



Keppler, Reinhardt J., BM1, USN


Organization: U.S. Navy, USS San Francisco (CA-38)



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 USS San Francisco during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands, 12-13 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.



McCandless, Bruce, Lt. Cmdr. USN


Organization: U.S. Navy, *USS San Francisco (CA-38)



Place and date: Battle off Savo Island, 12-13 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 *USS San Francisco in combat with enemy Japanese forces in the battle off Savo Island, 12-13 November 1942.



In the midst of a violent night engagement, the fire of a determined and desperate enemy seriously wounded Lt. Cmdr. 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. Commander 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.



Schonland, Herbert E., Cmdr. USN


Organization: U.S. Navy, USS San Francisco (CA-38)



Place and date: Savo Island, 12-13 November 1943.



Entered service at: Maine. Born: 7 September 1900, Portland, Maine.



Citation: For extreme heroism and courage above and beyond the call of duty as damage control officer of the USS San Francisco in action against greatly superior enemy forces in the battle off Savo Island, 12-13 November 1942.



In the same violent night engagement in which all of his superior officers were killed or wounded, Lt. Cmdr. Schonland was fighting valiantly to free the San Francisco of large quantities of water flooding the second deck compartments through numerous shell holes caused by enemy fire.



Upon being informed that he was commanding officer, he ascertained that the conning of the ship was being efficiently handled, then directed the officer who had taken over that task to continue while he himself resumed the vitally important work of maintaining the stability of the ship. In water waist deep, he carried on his efforts in darkness illuminated only by hand lanterns until water in flooded compartments had been drained or pumped off and watertight integrity had again been restored to the San Francisco.



His great personal valor and gallant devotion to duty at great peril to his own life were instrumental in bringing his ship back to port under her own power, saved to fight again in the service of her country.

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Ellie