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.
| Place of Birth | MI See More > |
| Birth Date | Mar 15, 1919 |
| Service Branch | U.S. Navy See More > |
| Division | USS Oklahoma (BB-37) |
| Conflict | World War II See More > |
| Date Of Action | Dec 07, 1941 |
| Location and Details | Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii |
| Accredited To | MI See More > |
