Flatley (FFG 21) - Naval Cruise Book

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Leader of the Pack P a PQMMtoa - , Ports Visited Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands Naples, Italy Gaeta, Italy Palma de Mallorca, Spain Cartagena, Spain Haifa, Israel Tunis, Tunisia Barcelona, Spain Palma de Mallorca, Spain

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He loved his country and the navy with a passionate devotion. I do not think he distinguished between the two because to him the Navy was the tool by which our precious national heritage would be protected. Vice Admiral James H. Flatley, Jr. was so eulogized by a dear friend and shipmate, a Navy chaplain, in 1958 when death of the 52 - year - old aviator - sailor ended one of the most illustrious careers in modern naval history. The enlisted man ' s admiral, as he was fondly called because of his abiding concern for their well- being, in fact entered World War II with enlisted pilots — the famed White Hat squadron which he joined as executive officer just days before Pearl Harbor. Flying from the carrier USS Yorktown with his enlisted comrades, he became one of the nation ' s earliest war heroes as the first American flier to shoot down the first enemy aircraft in the first American sea victory of the war during the battle of the Coral Sea. He won the Navy Cross for extraordianary heroism and conspicious courage during the days of the epic battle in which Americans, out - numbered eight to one., finally stemmed the tide of the Japanese sweep in the Pacific. Everything that followed only verified what we had learned at the start — that Jimmy Flatley was a giant among men. said the ships intelligence officer of the time. The tenacious warrior then assumed command of his own fighter squadron — soon to be known as the Grim Reapers — and lead them in countless storied battles from the USS Enterprise, when the Big E was the only U.S. carrier holding the battle line in the Pacific. He stood out from among his associates and shipmates like a diamond in a handful of glass. recalled another of his close friends. Born June 7, 1906 in Green Bay. Wisconsin, and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1929, Flatley ended World War II with more than 1,000 aircraft under his command — the largest force of such naval power in history. He planned and directed their attacks at Iwo Jima, Okinawa and. finally, against Japan itself. His post-war assignments included commands of the USS Block Island and the carrier USS Lake Champlain. Typically, both his ships were awarded the Navy ' s top citation for battle efficiency, distinguish- ing him as the first naval officer to win the conveted honor twice. Always concerned for the enlisted man, he initiated an education program to assure that every sailor could study for and obtain a high school diploma. It continues to this day, know informally throughout the Navy as Flatley High. Before cancer forced his premature retirement in 1958. he was Director of Air Warfare. During the war years he asked the chaplain and friend who was one day to deliver his eulogy: Put fire in their souls, Father. Because many of these men will give their lives for their country and they must know for what they are dying. His courage was based in deep religious faith, capsulized by his favorite biblical verses. John 16:33. Have courage. I have overcome the world. In additon to the Navy Cross, he earned the Distinguished Service Medal. Legion of Merit with Combat V . Distinguished Flying Cross with two Gold Stars. Bronze Star Medal and Commendation Ribbon with American Defense Service Medal, Asiatic - Pacific Campaign Medal with two Silver Stars for ten engagements, American Campaign Medal. World War II Victory Medal. National Defense Service Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one Bronze Star. JAMES H. FLATLEY JR. VICE ADMIRAL, U.S. NAVY