High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! William McCombe Callaghan (August 8, 1897 July 8, 1991) was a United States Navy officer who was the first captain of the battleship USS Missouri (BB-63) and the first commander of the Military Sea Transportation Service. In a naval career spanning almost 40 years, he served his country in three wars. Callaghan's naval career began on a destroyer in the last six months of World War I. Following command of the USS Reuben James (DD-245) and military logistical work prior to World War II, he took command of the Missouri in 1944. Callaghan is perhaps best known for ordering, despite disagreement from some of his crew, that an honorable funeral be held for an enemy pilot who died during a suicide attack on the Missouri in 1945. Following World War II, he directed the US Navy's transportation service and filled naval command roles in eastern Asia, including leadership of the US Pacific Fleet's Amphibious Force during the Korean War. Callaghanretired from the US Navy at the rank of Vice Admiral in 1957 and worked in civilian maritime transport before retiring to Maryland.