Ships
- USS North Carolina (BB-55) Captain, 26 January 1945 – 15 June 1945
Oswald S. Colclough was born in Monroeton, Pennsylvania, on 19 November 1898, the son of the Reverend William Frederick Colclough and Sarah Guy. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy and was commissioned an ensign in June 1920. On 1 June 1922, in Norfolk, he married Kathleen M. Bain. They had three daughters.
He built his career in submarines and in the law together. While still in uniform he completed the law course at George Washington University, received his degree in 1935 with the highest standing in the school, and served several tours in the Office of the Judge Advocate General. He was promoted to lieutenant commander on 1 July 1936 and to commander on 1 January 1941. In June 1942 he became a captain.
At the start of the Pacific war he commanded Submarine Division 101 in northern waters and kept that command until 26 November 1942. He then became chief of staff and aide to the commander of the North Pacific Force. In that post he helped plan and carry out the occupation of the western Aleutians, and the forces he led did the enemy serious harm. For this service he received the Legion of Merit, and a letter of commendation from the Commander in Chief, United States Fleet, authorized him to wear the Commendation Ribbon. In October 1943 he reported to Washington as director of the Central Division in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations.
He returned to sea on 26 January 1945, relieving Frank George Fahrion as commanding officer of the battleship North Carolina (BB-55). Through the spring the ship worked in Japanese waters with the fast carrier forces, screening strikes on the home islands and supporting the assaults on Iwo Jima and Okinawa. A Gold Star in lieu of a second Legion of Merit recognized his conduct as her captain from 26 January through 30 April 1945. He remained in command until 15 June 1945, when Byron H. Hanlon took the ship. Earlier captains of North Carolina included Olaf M. Hustvedt, Oscar C. Badger, George H. Fort, Wilder D. Baker, and Frank P. Thomas. Timothy J. O'Brien commanded her after the war.
In August 1945 he was advanced to rear admiral and assigned as assistant judge advocate general. Confirmed that November as Judge Advocate General of the Navy, he served as the Navy's senior lawyer until June 1948 and used the office to frame a revision of naval justice and explain it to the civilian bar. He afterward commanded the Submarine Force of the Pacific Fleet and retired in 1949 as a vice admiral.
Colclough then returned to George Washington University as dean of the law school and twice served as acting president of the university. He died of cardiac arrest on 26 January 1981 at his home in Chevy Chase, Maryland, at the age of 82, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.