A house RESOLUTION

 

TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF JAMES H. FLATLEY III, RETIRED REAR ADMIRAL OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY, AND TO EXTEND THEIR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS LARGE AND LOVING FAMILY AND HIS MANY FRIENDS.

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives were saddened to learn of the death of retired Rear Admiral James H. Flatley III at the age of ninety-one on December 12, 2025; and

 

Whereas, born in San Diego, California, on January 9, 1934, he was the oldest of four boys born to James H. Flatley Jr. and Dorothy May McMurray, and he followed in his father's distinguished footsteps as a World War II ace by becoming a distinguished naval aviator himself; and

 

Whereas, during his thirty-one years of active military service, he logged 4,460 flight hours in over thirty different aircraft and was the first aviator to complete 1,608 carrier landings. In 1963, he successfully executed multiple carrier landings aboard the USS Forrestal (CV-59) while piloting the C-130 Hercules, the largest aircraft ever to land on a carrier; and

 

Whereas, Admiral Flatley's decorations included the Distinguished Service Metal, Silver Star, 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 with the numeral 24 to indicate over 350 combat missions, Navy Commendation Medal with Combat "V," and Presidential Unit Citation with Bronze Star. During his third tour in the Vietnam War, he was commander of Fighter Squadron VF 31. More than all the medals he received, he felt the greatest accomplishment of his career was that he brought home every member of that squadron to their anxious and loving families; and

 

Whereas, together with his beloved wife, Nancy Monica Christie, he reared six fine children: James IV, Joseph, Mary Kiteley, Michael, Kathleen, and Kara Brophy. His children blessed him with the affection of twenty-two loving grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren with two more on the way currently. Adding to his pride in all of his offspring, three of his six children followed his path into military service, along with seven of his grandchildren; and

 

Whereas, upon retiring from the Navy, Mr. Flatley served as director of Government Programs at Cambridge Research Corp and then as general manager and chairman of the board of Intermarine USA. In 1994, he and his wife moved to Charleston where he served the state as CEO of Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum, transforming Patriot's Point into the state's largest tourist attraction; and

 

Whereas, he served as chairman of the Board for Roper St. Francis Healthcare and Mt. Pleasant and of the board of the South Carolina Maritime Security Commission, charged with reestablishing and overseeing the South Carolina Naval Militia. He served on the board of directors for the USS Yorktown Foundation and the National Medal of Honor Center for Leadership and was a member of the Golden Eagle Association, the USO World Board of Governors, the United States Naval Institute, the Red River Valley River Rats, the Association of Naval Aviation, the Surface Naval Aviation, the Naval Submarine League, and the United States Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation. For his significant contributions, he was honored with the coveted Order of the Palmetto; and

 

Whereas, during a life devoted to his country, his community, and his family, Jim Flatley was a man of strong faith and was deeply committed to his church, Saint Benedict Catholic Church.  His impact on naval aviation, the Charleston community, and the lives of those whom he loved and with whom he served will be remembered for generations. The members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are grateful for the life and legacy of Jim Flatley and for the example of courage, sacrifice, and commitment to service he set for all who knew him. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, express their profound sorrow upon the passing of James H. Flatley III, retired Rear Admiral of the United States Navy, and extend their deepest sympathy to his large and loving family and his many friends.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family of James H. Flatley III.

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