The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal (Posthumously) to Vice Admiral James Henry Flatley, Jr., United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Officer in Charge, U.S. Naval Aviation Safety Activity and later, Commander U.S. Naval Air Bases, FIFTH Naval District. A strong advocate of aviation safety, Vice Admiral Flatley developed a sound aviation training program. In July 1956, he moved to the office of the Chief of Naval Operations as Head, Special Weapons Plans Branch, Strategic Plans Division; and, in October 1957, became Director, Air Warfare Division. He displayed broad capability and sound judgment in planning, coordinating and directing the development of improved aviation weapons systems, thus assuring greater readiness of naval combatant forces.
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Awards Received
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Navy Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Navy Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderBatallion:
Fighting Squadron 42 (VF-42)Division:
U.S.S. Yorktown (CV-5)Action Date:
May 7 & 8, 1942
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander James Henry Flatley, Jr., United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane and Executive Officer of Fighting Squadron FORTY-TWO (VF-42), attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Battle of the Coral Sea on 7 and 8 May 1942. As leader of the fighter escort for our own planes attacking an enemy Japanese carrier on 7 May, Lieutenant Commander Flatley fearlessly engaged enemy fighters, destroying one and assisting in the destruction of another with no loss to his escort group. That evening, he led a division on combat air patrol in a fierce attack and resultant dispersal of a formation of enemy scouting planes, assisting in the destruction of two of them. On 8 May, fighting persistently and at great odds, he again led a division of the combat air patrol in a courageous attack against enemy aircraft attacking our surface forces and destroyed an enemy fighter harassing our anti-torpedo plane patrol and assisted in the destruction of two others. On all these occasions, Lieutenant Commander Flatley displayed the highest qualities of leadership, aggressiveness and complete disregard for his own personal safety.
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Legion of Merit
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Captain James Henry Flatley, Jr., United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Operations Officer on the Staff of Commander First Carrier Task Force, Pacific, from 6 December 1944 through 28 May 1945. Captain Flatley planned and conducted air operations in support of amphibious landings for the conquest of Iwo Jima and Okinawa strikes against Tokyo, the Kure Naval Base and Kyushu, support missions in the vicinity of our landings and an air attack on major units of the Japanese Fleet on 7 April 1945. When hits on the flagship by suicide bombers required the Task Force Commander to shift his flag, Captain Flatley swiftly re-established control of operations and expertly carried out his assignment during a protracted series of bitterly fought air engagements. (Captain Flatley is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderBatallion:
Fighting Squadron 10 (VF-10)Action Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Commander James Henry Flatley, Jr., United States Navy, was awarded a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Fighter Pilot in Fighting Squadron TEN (VF-10), during World War II.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderBatallion:
Fighting Squadron 10 (VF-10)Action Date:
November 13 – 15, 1942
Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 316 (July 1943)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander James Henry Flatley, Jr., United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Fighter Pilot in Fighting Squadron TEN (VF-10), in repeatedly leading his squadron against Japanese surface and air forces in the face of heavy anti-aircraft and enemy fighter opposition, destroying at least ten enemy aircraft and inflicting heavy damage by strafing enemy combatant ships, transports, and shore installations while serving as Commander of a Fighting Squadron attached to a United States Aircraft Carrier in the Solomon Islands area from 13 to 15 November 1942.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderBatallion:
Fighting Squadron 10 (VF-10)Action Date:
January 30, 1943
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander James Henry Flatley, Jr., United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Fighter Pilot in Fighting Squadron TEN (VF-10), during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomons Islands Area, 30 January 1943. While leading a combat air patrol, he sighted a formation of twelve Japanese torpedo planes maneuvering for position to attack one of our cruisers. Immediately he led his section into the attack and, pursuing the hostile aircraft through the anti-aircraft barrage, shot down one large enemy torpedo bomber and damaged another which was subsequently dispatched by one of his wing mates.