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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Online Library of Selected Images:
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Ensign Francis C. Flaherty, USNR, (1919-1941)

Francis Charles Flaherty was born in Charlotte, Michigan, on 15 March 1919. He enlisted in the Naval Reserve in July 1940 and was commissioned as an Ensign in December of that year. During the 7 December 1941 Japanese air raid on Pearl Harbor, he was serving on board USS Oklahoma (BB-37). As the ship was capsizing, Ensign Flaherty remained in a gun turret holding a flashlight to permit others in the turret to see in order to escape. For his sacrificial heroism on that occasion, Esnign Flaherty was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

The escort ship USS Flaherty (DE-135), 1943-1966, was named in honor of Ensign Flaherty.

This page features our only view of Ensign Francis C. Flaherty, USNR.


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

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Photo #: NH 92305

Ensign Francis C. Flaherty, USNR


Who was awarded the Medal of Honor, posthumously, for conspicuous devotion to duty and extraordinary courage on board USS Oklahoma (BB-37) during the 7 December 1941 Japanese raid on Pearl Harbor.
Halftone reproduction, copied from the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1948, The Navy", page 184.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 93KB; 590 x 765 pixels

 



Medal of Honor citation of Ensign Francis C. Flaherty, USNR (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 184):

"For conspicuous devotion to duty and extraordinary courage and complete disregard of his own life, above and beyond the call of duty, during the attack on the Fleet in Pearl Harbor, by Japanese Forces on 7 December 1941. When it was seen that the U.S.S. Oklahoma was going to capsize and the order was given to abandon ship, Ensign Flaherty remained in a turret, holding a flashlight so the remainder of the turret crew could see to escape, thereby sacrificing his own life."


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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Page made 30 December 2000