The story of the Irish in America is inextricable from two venerable institutions: the church they brought with them from the old country and the fighting services in which so many sons (and now daughters) of Erin then bravely served. No individual better exemplifies the best of each than Father Joseph T. O’Callahan of the Society of Jesus.

Chaplain (later Captain) O’Callahan, U.S. Naval Reserve, received the Medal of Honor for his conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. His act of heroism occurred three-quarters of a century ago, in hostile waters off Japan. The Rev. O’Callahan, S.J., refused to give up his ship, the USS Franklin, or the souls of her crew when the vessel was attacked on March 19, 1945.