James Henry Flatley III (born January 9, 1934 in

San Diego San Diego ( , ; ) is a city on the Pacific Ocean coast of Southern California located immediately adjacent to the Mexico–United States border. With a 2020 population of 1,386,932, it is the eighth most populous city in the United State ...

), is a retired rear admiral in the

United States Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...

. A naval aviator, fighter pilot, and test pilot, he is the son of Vice Admiral James H. Flatley.

Education

Flatley is a 1956 graduate of the

United States Naval Academy The United States Naval Academy (US Naval Academy, USNA, or Navy) is a federal service academy in Annapolis, Maryland. It was established on 10 October 1845 during the tenure of George Bancroft as Secretary of the Navy. The Naval Academy ...

. He later received an MBA from Auburn University.

Career

Lockheed KC-130F Hercules aboard USS Forrestal (CVA-59) on 30 October 1963

While a

lieutenant A lieutenant ( , ; abbreviated Lt., Lt, LT, Lieut and similar) is a commissioned officer rank in the armed forces of many nations. The meaning of lieutenant differs in different militaries (see comparative military ranks), but it is often ...

at the Naval Air Test Center at

NAS Patuxent River Naval Air Station Patuxent River , also known as NAS Pax River, is a United States naval air station located in St. Mary’s County, Maryland, on the Chesapeake Bay near the mouth of the Patuxent River. It is home to Headquarters, Naval Air Sys ...

, Maryland, Flatley and his fellow crew members, LCDR Walter W. "Smokey" Stovall and Aviation Machinist's Mate (Jet). V 1st Class Ed Brennan, made history when they completed 21 full-stop landings and takeoffs in a

Lockheed C-130 Hercules The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is an American four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built by Lockheed (now Lockheed Martin). Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally desig ...

aboard the aircraft carrier ; it was the largest plane, with the heaviest load, ever to successfully land on a carrier. Flatley later commanded the aircraft carrier . While serving as the commanding officer of the in 1980, he completed his 1,500th arrested landing in an F-4 Phantom. He retired in 1987. Awards he received during his career include the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross and the

Air Medal The Air Medal (AM) is a military decoration of the United States Armed Forces. It was created in 1942 and is awarded for single acts of heroism or meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight. Criteria The Air Medal was establish ...

. He has also been inducted into the U.S. Naval Aviation Carrier Hall of Fame and the South Carolina Aviation Hall of Fame.

Recent times

In a June 2017 tribute article, Flatley discussed his history in the field of aviation and reflected on his and the Flatley family's legacy, estimating that the "extended Flatley family has accumulated more than 6,100 incident/accident-free arrested carrier landings."Lucas, Jake (2017). "Tales of Valor - A special kind of family." ''Moultrie News'' (June 28, 2017).
Retrieved October 26, 2019.

Personal life

Rear Admiral Flatley is married to Nancy Monica Christie of Norfolk, Virginia. They have six children. Their two oldest sons, James H. Flatley IV and Joseph F. Flatley are Navy fighter pilots and their youngest daughter Kara is 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. RADM Flatley's father was James H. Flatley, the first air group commander and World War II fighter ace and the Pacific theater namesake for carrier aviations Safety Award – The Flatley Award.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Flatley, James H., 03 1934 births Living people United States Naval Academy alumni United States Naval Aviators Recipients of the Air Medal Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States) Auburn University alumni Recipients of the Silver Star United States Navy rear admirals (upper half)