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Francis C. Flaherty Branch of Service: U.S. Navy Rank: Ensign Hometown: Charlotte, MI Honored By: Mike W. Reeser Biography Francis C. Flaherty was born in Charlotte, Michigan on March 15, 1919. In July of 1940 he enlisted in the Naval Reserve, and was commissioned an Ensign in December of 1940. During the December 7th Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, he was serving aboard the USS Oklahoma. As the ship was capsizing, Ensign Flaherty remained aboard in a gun turret, holding a flashlight so others in the turret could see to escape. For his sacrificial heroism on that occasion, Ensign Francis Flaherty was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. Citation for Medal of Honor: Awarded posthumously 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 December 7, 1941. When it was seen that the USS Oklahoma was going to capsize and the order was given to abandon ship, Ensign Francis Flaherty remained in a turret, holding a flashlight so the remainder of the turret crew could see to escape, thereby sacrificing his own life.