commander of the MSTS was "Rear Admiral William M. Callaghan (subsequently promoted to Vice Admiral)" and a 1962 ship directory states that "[MSTS's] first commander, Rear-Admiral William Callaghan, was soon promoted to vice-admiral, and the M.S.T.S. has been a ' three-star' command ever since" (p. 41). Another article by Mercogliano (2000) states that Callaghan was still ranked a rear admiral in early July 1950. Two other sources, a later article by Mercogliano (2009) and Military Sealift Command's timeline, state that MSTS's first commander was Vice Admiral William M. Callaghan. It is not clear whether these last two sources were simply reporting Callaghan's rank at the time of writing, well after 1949, or whether they were implying that Callaghan was already a vice admiral before taking command of the MSTS. d. Commenting on the decision to hold a memorial service for the Japanese pilots aboard USS Missouri, US veteran Lloyd Prang said, "If the Japanese want to memorialize their pilots and soldiers, let them do it on THEIR soil." Marine Corps veteran Rand Potts considered it "a promotional deal to excite Japanese visitors into visiting the Missouri." References External links NavSource Naval History: Battleship Photo Index BB-63 USS Missouri August–December 1944 includes photographs of Callaghan on the bridge of the Missouri in 1944. NavSource Naval History: Battleship Photo Index BB-63 USS Missouri 1984–1987 includes a photograph of Callaghan at a Missouri reunion in Annapolis in 1985. The Jerseyman (No. 63, 3rd Quarter 2009, p. 8) includes a photograph showing the dent in the side of the Missouri (resulting from the attack of April 1945), still visible as of May 16, 2009. 1897 births 1991 deaths United States Navy personnel of World War I United States Navy personnel of World War II United States Navy personnel of the Korean War Burials at Arlington National Cemetery People from Chevy Chase, Maryland Recipients of the Legion of Merit United States Naval Academy alumni United States Navy vice admirals Catholics from Maryland