Radm James_H._Flatley_III

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fannum

Senior Airman
383
911
Sep 23, 2022
Radm James_H._Flatley_III passed 10/12/25

Rear Admiral Flatley married the former Nancy Monica Christie of Norfolk, Virginia. They have six children. Their two oldest sons, James Henry IV and Joseph are Navy fighter pilots and their youngest daughter Kara is a Naval Academy graduate, a Lieutenant in the Supply Corps and is married to Richard Brophy a Navy fighter pilot. Her sister, Mary, is married to Rex Kiteley a Navy flight surgeon. Their remaining son and daughter, Pat and Kate, lead normal American lives.


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RADM Flatley's father was the USS Yorktown's first Air Group Commander and World War II fighter ace and the Pacific theater's namesake for carrier aviation's Safety Award - The Flatley Award. The Flatley Family Poses with the Hellcat Christened for James H Flatley, Jr.

As the Flight Test Carrier Suitability Project Pilot for the C-130 Carrier Feasibility Study, completed 29 Touch & Go and 21 Full Stop landings aboard USS Forrestal (CV-59), November 1963. Awarded DFC.

His decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star Medal, Legion of Merit with four Gold Stars, Distinguished Flying Cross with two Gold Stars, Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V", Air Medal with Silver Star and with numeral 24 indicating 350 combat missions, Navy Commendation Medal with Combat "V" and Silver Star, Navy Achievement Medal with Combat "V", the Presidential Unit Citation with Bronze Star and lesser U.S. and Foreign Awards.

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In sixty-five months of operational command in the carrier aviation environment, his units never suffered the loss of an aircraft under his responsibility.

First U. S. Navy carrier aviator to accumulate 1,600 carrier landings.

As Commanding Officer of VF-31, led the "Tomcatters" in winning both the Battle "E" and CNO Safety Award during VF-31's/Saratoga's only combat deployment: 2,200 squadron combat missions without personnel or aircraft injury or loss.

As Commanding Officer of USS Saratoga (CV-60) led "Sara" and crew to Arliegh Burke Award as most improved carrier in the Atlantic Fleet.
 
Radm James_H._Flatley_III passed 10/12/25

Rear Admiral Flatley married the former Nancy Monica Christie of Norfolk, Virginia. They have six children. Their two oldest sons, James Henry IV and Joseph are Navy fighter pilots and their youngest daughter Kara is a Naval Academy graduate, a Lieutenant in the Supply Corps and is married to Richard Brophy a Navy fighter pilot. Her sister, Mary, is married to Rex Kiteley a Navy flight surgeon. Their remaining son and daughter, Pat and Kate, lead normal American lives.


View attachment 860425

RADM Flatley's father was the USS Yorktown's first Air Group Commander and World War II fighter ace and the Pacific theater's namesake for carrier aviation's Safety Award - The Flatley Award. The Flatley Family Poses with the Hellcat Christened for James H Flatley, Jr.

As the Flight Test Carrier Suitability Project Pilot for the C-130 Carrier Feasibility Study, completed 29 Touch & Go and 21 Full Stop landings aboard USS Forrestal (CV-59), November 1963. Awarded DFC.

His decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star Medal, Legion of Merit with four Gold Stars, Distinguished Flying Cross with two Gold Stars, Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V", Air Medal with Silver Star and with numeral 24 indicating 350 combat missions, Navy Commendation Medal with Combat "V" and Silver Star, Navy Achievement Medal with Combat "V", the Presidential Unit Citation with Bronze Star and lesser U.S. and Foreign Awards.

View attachment 860427

In sixty-five months of operational command in the carrier aviation environment, his units never suffered the loss of an aircraft under his responsibility.

First U. S. Navy carrier aviator to accumulate 1,600 carrier landings.

As Commanding Officer of VF-31, led the "Tomcatters" in winning both the Battle "E" and CNO Safety Award during VF-31's/Saratoga's only combat deployment: 2,200 squadron combat missions without personnel or aircraft injury or loss.

As Commanding Officer of USS Saratoga (CV-60) led "Sara" and crew to Arliegh Burke Award as most improved carrier in the Atlantic Fleet.
Jim was a tremendous history source and a complete gent. Never too busy to contribute to a worthwhile project, including his description of F-4s dropping mines off Haiphong!
As I recall, he said that VF-31 was one of only two Phantom squadrons that completed a deployment without losses.
 
Jim was a tremendous history source and a complete gent. Never too busy to contribute to a worthwhile project, including his description of F-4s dropping mines off Haiphong!
Where could we find that description?

I am familiar with the A-6/A-7 role in mining, but marginal knowledge of F-4 aspect. I'm a VF-31 alumnus, but five years before their '72 MiG killing deployment. (btw, that VF-31 Sam Flynn/Bill John F-4J MiG killer is at the Smithsonian Dulles facility) F-4 MiG Killer! The story of the only VF-31's aerial victory of the Vietnam War - The Aviation Geek Club

Per the Haiphong mining, I feel 95% of online videos are inaccurate, slanted and/or full of egos and endless un-needed clickbait extending trash. This one isn't bad, but for some odd, apparently AI images, though just in minor details like insignia.
mining of haiphong - Search Videos
 

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