Congressional Medal of Honor Society

Stories of Sacrifice

or
  • Filter Recipient Database here
    • Service Branch
    • Conflict / Era
    • Additional Filters
      -  
    or

World War II - U.S. Naval Reserve

Francis Charles Flaherty

Details
  • Rank: Ensign
  • Conflict/Era: World War II
  • Unit/Command:
    U.S.S. Oklahoma
  • Military Service Branch: U.S. Naval Reserve
  • Medal of Honor Action Date: December 7, 1941
  • Medal of Honor Action Place: Pearl Harbor, Hawaii Territory, USA
Citation

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, Ens. Flaherty remained in a turret, holding a flashlight so the remainder of the turret crew could see to escape, thereby sacrificing his own life.

Medal of Honor Recipient Francis C. Flaherty
Medal of Honor Recipient Francis C. Flaherty
Additional Details
  • Accredited to: Michigan
  • Awarded Posthumously: Yes
  • Presentation Date & Details: March 6, 1946

    Presented to his Brother

  • Born: March 15, 1919, Charlotte, Eaton County, MI, United States
  • Died: December 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor, HI, Hawaii (Territory)
  • Buried: Maple Hill Cemetery (reinterred from the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl), Honolulu, HI), Charlotte, MI, United States
  • Location of Medal: Michigan Heroes Museum, Frankenmuth, MI
 

Questions? For More Information Contact Us!