Vice Admiral James Henry Flatley Jr., born on June 17, 1906, and passed away on July 9, 1958, was an accomplished naval aviator and tactician during World War II. Serving in the United States Navy (USN), he became a fighter ace, credited with successfully shooting down six enemy aircraft in aerial combat.
Flatley was born in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and graduated from St. Norbert College. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1929 earned his wings as a pilot in 1931.
After his service as Commander Air Group Five (CAG-5) on the USS Yorktown (CV-10), where he played a crucial role in introducing the F6F Hellcat to combat in August 1943, Flatley, at the age of 36, did not participate in any further combat flying.
Even after the war, he continued serving in the Navy and played a significant role in the postwar air-training program. After a year as the commanding officer of the escort aircraft carrier USS Block Island (CVE-106), Flatley became actively involved in assessing and improving the Navy’s aviation safety record.
On June 2, 1958, Flatley retired from his distinguished career in the Navy. And was awarded the rank of Vice Admiral.
In Green Bay, there is a park named Admiral Flatley.
the Navy bestows an annual award called the Admiral Flatley Memorial Award, which recognizes outstanding aviation safety achievements by an aircraft carrier, amphibious ship, their embarked air wing, and Marine expeditionary unit.
The United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps (USNSCC) has a division in Green Bay is also named in his honor.
Continuing the family’s legacy, Admiral Flatley’s son, James H. Flatley III, followed in his father’s footsteps and became a naval aviator and test pilot, eventually attaining the rank of rear admiral.
Furthermore, Admiral Flatley’s grandsons, James H. Flatley IV and Joseph F. Flatley, also joined the naval ranks as officers and aviators. They carried on the family’s tradition of serving their country in the Navy.
