*FLAHERTY, FRANCIS C.
Rank and organization: Ensign, U.S. Naval
Reserve. Born: 15 March 1919, Charlotte, Mich. Accredited to: Michigan.
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.
