Career
Born in Camden, New Jersey, McCalla was appointed midshipman November 30, 1861. McCalla"s courage and leadership during his career often earned him great, and due, respect among his fellow officers. In the spring of 1885, during the Panama crisis of 1885, McCalla led an expeditionary force of 750 seamen and marines which landed at Panama to protect American treaty rights when the revolution there threatened to block transit across the isthmus.
As commanding officer of United States Ship Marblehead, September 11, 1897 to September 16, 1898, he took part in the blockade of Cuba and was responsible for the cutting of submarine cables linking Cienfuegos with the outside world, thus isolating the Spanish garrison there, in May 1898.
In June 1898, he led the invasion of Guantánamo Bay. While in command of Newark during the Boxer Rebellion two years later, he was cited for conspicuous gallantry in battle as he led a force of sailors from Tientsin to Peking.
McCalla"s force of 112 men spearheaded an international column, under British Admiral Sir Edward Seymour, which was attempting to fight its way to the aid of foreign legations under siege at Peking. In the course of the battle at Hsiku Arsenal, McCalla, along with 25 of his force, was wounded.
Five were killed. See Seymour Expedition, China 1900.
Commissioned rear admiral October 11, 1903, and entered on the retired list June 19, 1906, McCalla died on May 6, 1910 at Santa Barbara, California, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Two ships were named United States Ship McCalla for him. McCalla Field and McCalla Hill at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base are named after him as well.
