Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Colman
E.
O’Flaherty
KIA (WWI)
April 24, 1878

–

October 1, 1918

Cemetery:

A.B.M.C. Meuse-Argonne

Colman O’Flaherty was born in Ireland ,where he received his early education, and continued his studies at Lyons, France, before coming to Canada and then the United States.. He was ordained a Roman Catholic priest at Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in September 1901, and spent the next nine years at Chamberlain and Kimball, supervising construction of seven church buildings including Columbus College at Chamberlain. In 1910 he was assigned to Holy Family Church at Mitchell, South Dakota, where he was instrumental in the development of Notre Dame Academy there. Prior to World War I he was commissioned as a U. S. Army chaplain, serving in France until he was killed in action. He was the first Catholic chaplain killed in World War I.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Chaplain’s Corps)

    Regiment:

    28th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 1, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 28, 1921

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Chaplain’s Corps) Colman E. O’Flaherty, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 28th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, on 1 October 1918, Chaplain O’Flaherty displayed conspicuous gallantry in administering to the wounded under terrific fire, exposing himself at all times, to reach their side and give them aid. In the performance of this heroic work he was killed.