Vice Admiral, World War II naval ace and tactician for the United States Navy. USS Flatley (FFG-21) named for him.
VADM JAMES H. FLATLEY JR. DIVISION HISTORY
PART I
VADM JAMES H. FLATLEY JR.
VADM James H. Flatley Jr. was born in Green Bay, Wisconsin on June 17, 1906 and graduated from St. Norbert College in Green Bay. He joined the Navy graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1929. He received his Navy Gold Aviator wings in 1931. VADM Flatley Jr. was a World War II ACE and as the executive officer of Fighter Squadron VF- 42 he took part in the Battle of the Coral Sea in May 1942. For actions during the battle he was awarded the ―Navy Cross‖ for extraordinary heroism and conspicuous courage. He died in 1958 at the age of 52.
After the Battle of the Coral Sea he was sent to the U.S. to become the commanding officer of VF-10 (fighter squadron 10) – the Grim Reapers and he became known as Reaper Leader. He never flew in combat after August 31, 1943.
Commands held: Commanding Officer VF -10, Commander Air Group 5 (CAG) USS YORKTOWN (CV-10) and Commanding Officer of USS BLOCK ISLAND an Escort Carrier (CV-106) & USS LAKE CHAMPLAIN (CV-39).
During his Naval Career he was awarded the following: Navy Cross, two Distinguished Flying Crosses for heroism, Bronze Star, Distinguished Service Medal, and a Presidential Unit Citation.
Lt. James H. Flatley Jr. married Dottie McMurray (1908-2008) in January, 1933. They had four sons. Jim, Brian, Pat and David. Jim and Brian graduated from the Naval Academy and both became aviators. All four sons served in the Navy.
His son Jim went on to be selected for Rear Admiral (RET 1987). He became famous as a NAVY Lieutenant landing a Marine Corps C-130 Hercules aircraft on the deck of a moving aircraft carrier – USS Forrestal (CVA-59) in October, 1963. He went on to perform twenty-nine Touch and Go's and 21 full stop landings aboard the aircraft carrier.
A C-130E from the 2nd Airlift Squadron, Pope AFB, N.C., flies over the Atlantic Ocean along the North Carolina coast. The C-130 Hercules primarily performs the intra-theater portion of the airlift mission. The aircraft is capable of operating from rough, dirt strips and is the prime transport for paradropping troops and equipment into hostile areas. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Howard Blair)
Landing such a huge four engine aircraft aboard an aircraft carrier has never been done since. The plane is presently on dis- play at the National Museum of Naval Aviation located at Naval Air Station – Pensacola, FL. When given this new assignment he thought somebody was pulling his leg. He said – ―Operate a C–130 off an aircraft carrier? Somebody's got to be kidding.
The original VADM JAMES H. FLATLEY JR. PARK in Green Bay, WI was located in downtown Green Bay. Construction along the Fox River in downtown Green Bay forced the park to be relocated in the spring of 2009 to another site along the Fox River. It was rededicated on May 30, 2009. Rear Admiral James H. Flatley III (Ret) the pilot of the C-130 was present as the master of ceremonies honoring his also famous father the Vice-Admiral.
VADM Flatley Jr. Division USNSCC and USNLCC cadets took part in the re-dedication ceremony. They also had the opportunity to have lunch with and meet Rear Admiral James Henry Flatley III who served as the master of cere- monies at the dedication. He is the son of VADM Flatley.
In 1984 VADM Flatley Jr. was selected and then approved by the CNO (Chief of Naval Operations) for placement into the NAVAL AVIATION HALL OF HONOR at the National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola, Florida. Seventy Nine individuals have been enshrined in the Hall of Honor which ―recognizes individuals for extraordinary achievement‖ in Naval Aviation.
VADM James H. Flatley Jr. was often referred to as "the enlisted man's Admiral" because of his concern for the welfare of the enlisted personnel and their families.
Flatley remained in the Navy after the war and became a key figure with the Navy's postwar air-training program. After commanding the escort aircraft carrier USS Block Island (CVE-106) for a year, Flatley became deeply involved with assessing naval aviation's disastrous safety record and ultimately helped develop the Naval Aviation Safety Center, today's Naval Safety Center.
After the war he was training director of the Naval Air Station Corpus Christi in Corpus Christi, Texas Air Station; commander of the Naval Air Station Olathe in Olathe, Kansas (which was renamed "Flatley Field" from 1962–1969); and commander of the Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Virginia followed by command of the carrier USS Lake Champlain (CV-39). He also held various staff positions. He retired from the Navy on June 2, 1958 and was promoted to vice admiral concurrent with his retirement. He died barely a month after his retirement at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, on July 9, 1958.
VADM JAMES H. FLATLEY JR. DIVISION HISTORY
PART I
VADM JAMES H. FLATLEY JR.
VADM James H. Flatley Jr. was born in Green Bay, Wisconsin on June 17, 1906 and graduated from St. Norbert College in Green Bay. He joined the Navy graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1929. He received his Navy Gold Aviator wings in 1931. VADM Flatley Jr. was a World War II ACE and as the executive officer of Fighter Squadron VF- 42 he took part in the Battle of the Coral Sea in May 1942. For actions during the battle he was awarded the ―Navy Cross‖ for extraordinary heroism and conspicuous courage. He died in 1958 at the age of 52.
After the Battle of the Coral Sea he was sent to the U.S. to become the commanding officer of VF-10 (fighter squadron 10) – the Grim Reapers and he became known as Reaper Leader. He never flew in combat after August 31, 1943.
Commands held: Commanding Officer VF -10, Commander Air Group 5 (CAG) USS YORKTOWN (CV-10) and Commanding Officer of USS BLOCK ISLAND an Escort Carrier (CV-106) & USS LAKE CHAMPLAIN (CV-39).
During his Naval Career he was awarded the following: Navy Cross, two Distinguished Flying Crosses for heroism, Bronze Star, Distinguished Service Medal, and a Presidential Unit Citation.
Lt. James H. Flatley Jr. married Dottie McMurray (1908-2008) in January, 1933. They had four sons. Jim, Brian, Pat and David. Jim and Brian graduated from the Naval Academy and both became aviators. All four sons served in the Navy.
His son Jim went on to be selected for Rear Admiral (RET 1987). He became famous as a NAVY Lieutenant landing a Marine Corps C-130 Hercules aircraft on the deck of a moving aircraft carrier – USS Forrestal (CVA-59) in October, 1963. He went on to perform twenty-nine Touch and Go's and 21 full stop landings aboard the aircraft carrier.
A C-130E from the 2nd Airlift Squadron, Pope AFB, N.C., flies over the Atlantic Ocean along the North Carolina coast. The C-130 Hercules primarily performs the intra-theater portion of the airlift mission. The aircraft is capable of operating from rough, dirt strips and is the prime transport for paradropping troops and equipment into hostile areas. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Howard Blair)
Landing such a huge four engine aircraft aboard an aircraft carrier has never been done since. The plane is presently on dis- play at the National Museum of Naval Aviation located at Naval Air Station – Pensacola, FL. When given this new assignment he thought somebody was pulling his leg. He said – ―Operate a C–130 off an aircraft carrier? Somebody's got to be kidding.
The original VADM JAMES H. FLATLEY JR. PARK in Green Bay, WI was located in downtown Green Bay. Construction along the Fox River in downtown Green Bay forced the park to be relocated in the spring of 2009 to another site along the Fox River. It was rededicated on May 30, 2009. Rear Admiral James H. Flatley III (Ret) the pilot of the C-130 was present as the master of ceremonies honoring his also famous father the Vice-Admiral.
VADM Flatley Jr. Division USNSCC and USNLCC cadets took part in the re-dedication ceremony. They also had the opportunity to have lunch with and meet Rear Admiral James Henry Flatley III who served as the master of cere- monies at the dedication. He is the son of VADM Flatley.
In 1984 VADM Flatley Jr. was selected and then approved by the CNO (Chief of Naval Operations) for placement into the NAVAL AVIATION HALL OF HONOR at the National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola, Florida. Seventy Nine individuals have been enshrined in the Hall of Honor which ―recognizes individuals for extraordinary achievement‖ in Naval Aviation.
VADM James H. Flatley Jr. was often referred to as "the enlisted man's Admiral" because of his concern for the welfare of the enlisted personnel and their families.
Flatley remained in the Navy after the war and became a key figure with the Navy's postwar air-training program. After commanding the escort aircraft carrier USS Block Island (CVE-106) for a year, Flatley became deeply involved with assessing naval aviation's disastrous safety record and ultimately helped develop the Naval Aviation Safety Center, today's Naval Safety Center.
After the war he was training director of the Naval Air Station Corpus Christi in Corpus Christi, Texas Air Station; commander of the Naval Air Station Olathe in Olathe, Kansas (which was renamed "Flatley Field" from 1962–1969); and commander of the Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Virginia followed by command of the carrier USS Lake Champlain (CV-39). He also held various staff positions. He retired from the Navy on June 2, 1958 and was promoted to vice admiral concurrent with his retirement. He died barely a month after his retirement at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, on July 9, 1958.
Vice Admiral, World War II naval ace and tactician for the United States Navy. USS Flatley (FFG-21) named for him.
VADM JAMES H. FLATLEY JR. DIVISION HISTORY
PART I
VADM JAMES H. FLATLEY JR.
VADM James H. Flatley Jr. was born in Green Bay, Wisconsin on June 17, 1906 and graduated from St. Norbert College in Green Bay. He joined the Navy graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1929. He received his Navy Gold Aviator wings in 1931. VADM Flatley Jr. was a World War II ACE and as the executive officer of Fighter Squadron VF- 42 he took part in the Battle of the Coral Sea in May 1942. For actions during the battle he was awarded the ―Navy Cross‖ for extraordinary heroism and conspicuous courage. He died in 1958 at the age of 52.
After the Battle of the Coral Sea he was sent to the U.S. to become the commanding officer of VF-10 (fighter squadron 10) – the Grim Reapers and he became known as Reaper Leader. He never flew in combat after August 31, 1943.
Commands held: Commanding Officer VF -10, Commander Air Group 5 (CAG) USS YORKTOWN (CV-10) and Commanding Officer of USS BLOCK ISLAND an Escort Carrier (CV-106) & USS LAKE CHAMPLAIN (CV-39).
During his Naval Career he was awarded the following: Navy Cross, two Distinguished Flying Crosses for heroism, Bronze Star, Distinguished Service Medal, and a Presidential Unit Citation.
Lt. James H. Flatley Jr. married Dottie McMurray (1908-2008) in January, 1933. They had four sons. Jim, Brian, Pat and David. Jim and Brian graduated from the Naval Academy and both became aviators. All four sons served in the Navy.
His son Jim went on to be selected for Rear Admiral (RET 1987). He became famous as a NAVY Lieutenant landing a Marine Corps C-130 Hercules aircraft on the deck of a moving aircraft carrier – USS Forrestal (CVA-59) in October, 1963. He went on to perform twenty-nine Touch and Go's and 21 full stop landings aboard the aircraft carrier.
A C-130E from the 2nd Airlift Squadron, Pope AFB, N.C., flies over the Atlantic Ocean along the North Carolina coast. The C-130 Hercules primarily performs the intra-theater portion of the airlift mission. The aircraft is capable of operating from rough, dirt strips and is the prime transport for paradropping troops and equipment into hostile areas. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Howard Blair)
Landing such a huge four engine aircraft aboard an aircraft carrier has never been done since. The plane is presently on dis- play at the National Museum of Naval Aviation located at Naval Air Station – Pensacola, FL. When given this new assignment he thought somebody was pulling his leg. He said – ―Operate a C–130 off an aircraft carrier? Somebody's got to be kidding.
The original VADM JAMES H. FLATLEY JR. PARK in Green Bay, WI was located in downtown Green Bay. Construction along the Fox River in downtown Green Bay forced the park to be relocated in the spring of 2009 to another site along the Fox River. It was rededicated on May 30, 2009. Rear Admiral James H. Flatley III (Ret) the pilot of the C-130 was present as the master of ceremonies honoring his also famous father the Vice-Admiral.
VADM Flatley Jr. Division USNSCC and USNLCC cadets took part in the re-dedication ceremony. They also had the opportunity to have lunch with and meet Rear Admiral James Henry Flatley III who served as the master of cere- monies at the dedication. He is the son of VADM Flatley.
In 1984 VADM Flatley Jr. was selected and then approved by the CNO (Chief of Naval Operations) for placement into the NAVAL AVIATION HALL OF HONOR at the National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola, Florida. Seventy Nine individuals have been enshrined in the Hall of Honor which ―recognizes individuals for extraordinary achievement‖ in Naval Aviation.
VADM James H. Flatley Jr. was often referred to as "the enlisted man's Admiral" because of his concern for the welfare of the enlisted personnel and their families.
Flatley remained in the Navy after the war and became a key figure with the Navy's postwar air-training program. After commanding the escort aircraft carrier USS Block Island (CVE-106) for a year, Flatley became deeply involved with assessing naval aviation's disastrous safety record and ultimately helped develop the Naval Aviation Safety Center, today's Naval Safety Center.
After the war he was training director of the Naval Air Station Corpus Christi in Corpus Christi, Texas Air Station; commander of the Naval Air Station Olathe in Olathe, Kansas (which was renamed "Flatley Field" from 1962–1969); and commander of the Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Virginia followed by command of the carrier USS Lake Champlain (CV-39). He also held various staff positions. He retired from the Navy on June 2, 1958 and was promoted to vice admiral concurrent with his retirement. He died barely a month after his retirement at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, on July 9, 1958.
VADM JAMES H. FLATLEY JR. DIVISION HISTORY
PART I
VADM JAMES H. FLATLEY JR.
VADM James H. Flatley Jr. was born in Green Bay, Wisconsin on June 17, 1906 and graduated from St. Norbert College in Green Bay. He joined the Navy graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1929. He received his Navy Gold Aviator wings in 1931. VADM Flatley Jr. was a World War II ACE and as the executive officer of Fighter Squadron VF- 42 he took part in the Battle of the Coral Sea in May 1942. For actions during the battle he was awarded the ―Navy Cross‖ for extraordinary heroism and conspicuous courage. He died in 1958 at the age of 52.
After the Battle of the Coral Sea he was sent to the U.S. to become the commanding officer of VF-10 (fighter squadron 10) – the Grim Reapers and he became known as Reaper Leader. He never flew in combat after August 31, 1943.
Commands held: Commanding Officer VF -10, Commander Air Group 5 (CAG) USS YORKTOWN (CV-10) and Commanding Officer of USS BLOCK ISLAND an Escort Carrier (CV-106) & USS LAKE CHAMPLAIN (CV-39).
During his Naval Career he was awarded the following: Navy Cross, two Distinguished Flying Crosses for heroism, Bronze Star, Distinguished Service Medal, and a Presidential Unit Citation.
Lt. James H. Flatley Jr. married Dottie McMurray (1908-2008) in January, 1933. They had four sons. Jim, Brian, Pat and David. Jim and Brian graduated from the Naval Academy and both became aviators. All four sons served in the Navy.
His son Jim went on to be selected for Rear Admiral (RET 1987). He became famous as a NAVY Lieutenant landing a Marine Corps C-130 Hercules aircraft on the deck of a moving aircraft carrier – USS Forrestal (CVA-59) in October, 1963. He went on to perform twenty-nine Touch and Go's and 21 full stop landings aboard the aircraft carrier.
A C-130E from the 2nd Airlift Squadron, Pope AFB, N.C., flies over the Atlantic Ocean along the North Carolina coast. The C-130 Hercules primarily performs the intra-theater portion of the airlift mission. The aircraft is capable of operating from rough, dirt strips and is the prime transport for paradropping troops and equipment into hostile areas. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Howard Blair)
Landing such a huge four engine aircraft aboard an aircraft carrier has never been done since. The plane is presently on dis- play at the National Museum of Naval Aviation located at Naval Air Station – Pensacola, FL. When given this new assignment he thought somebody was pulling his leg. He said – ―Operate a C–130 off an aircraft carrier? Somebody's got to be kidding.
The original VADM JAMES H. FLATLEY JR. PARK in Green Bay, WI was located in downtown Green Bay. Construction along the Fox River in downtown Green Bay forced the park to be relocated in the spring of 2009 to another site along the Fox River. It was rededicated on May 30, 2009. Rear Admiral James H. Flatley III (Ret) the pilot of the C-130 was present as the master of ceremonies honoring his also famous father the Vice-Admiral.
VADM Flatley Jr. Division USNSCC and USNLCC cadets took part in the re-dedication ceremony. They also had the opportunity to have lunch with and meet Rear Admiral James Henry Flatley III who served as the master of cere- monies at the dedication. He is the son of VADM Flatley.
In 1984 VADM Flatley Jr. was selected and then approved by the CNO (Chief of Naval Operations) for placement into the NAVAL AVIATION HALL OF HONOR at the National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola, Florida. Seventy Nine individuals have been enshrined in the Hall of Honor which ―recognizes individuals for extraordinary achievement‖ in Naval Aviation.
VADM James H. Flatley Jr. was often referred to as "the enlisted man's Admiral" because of his concern for the welfare of the enlisted personnel and their families.
Flatley remained in the Navy after the war and became a key figure with the Navy's postwar air-training program. After commanding the escort aircraft carrier USS Block Island (CVE-106) for a year, Flatley became deeply involved with assessing naval aviation's disastrous safety record and ultimately helped develop the Naval Aviation Safety Center, today's Naval Safety Center.
After the war he was training director of the Naval Air Station Corpus Christi in Corpus Christi, Texas Air Station; commander of the Naval Air Station Olathe in Olathe, Kansas (which was renamed "Flatley Field" from 1962–1969); and commander of the Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Virginia followed by command of the carrier USS Lake Champlain (CV-39). He also held various staff positions. He retired from the Navy on June 2, 1958 and was promoted to vice admiral concurrent with his retirement. He died barely a month after his retirement at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, on July 9, 1958.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
