Medal of Honor: Francis C. Flaherty – World War II – December 7, 1941

Name: Francis Charles Flaherty
Rank: Ensign
Organization: U.S. Naval Reserve
Unit: USS Oklahoma (BB-37)
Place and Date: Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Territory of Hawaii – 7 December 1941
Entered Service At: Michigan
Born: March 15, 1919 – Charlotte, Michigan
Departed: December 7, 1941 (Killed in Action)
Accredited To: Michigan

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Summary of Action

During the opening minutes of the attack on Pearl Harbor, USS Oklahoma took multiple torpedo hits and began to capsize rapidly. Deep inside the ship, Ensign Francis C. Flaherty was with the crew of a turret when the order came to abandon ship.

In the darkness and confusion of a vessel rolling onto her side, escape was nearly impossible. Recognizing that the others could not find their way out, Flaherty remained behind. Holding a flashlight aloft, he illuminated the compartment so his turret crew could see to climb out and escape before the ship overturned.

He refused to leave his position until they were clear. Moments later, Oklahoma rolled completely, trapping him inside and claiming his life.

His calmness under catastrophic conditions, and his decision to sacrifice himself so his shipmates could survive, remains one of the most selfless acts recorded on Battleship Row that day.

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Medal of Honor 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.