Frank Woodrow O'Flaherty

Frank Woodrow O’Flaherty (February 26 1918 - June 6, 1942) was a United States naval pilot during the Second World War. During the Battle of Midway, his plane ran out of fuel and he was captured by the Japanese. After interrogation he was thrown overboard where he drowned.

Navy career

O’Flaherty entered the U.S. Naval Reserve on 25 September 1940 and was appointed Aviation Cadet 27 January 1941. He was commissioned Ensign, USNR, 12 September 1941 and ordered to active duty in carrier Scouting Squadron 6, attached to USS Enterprise (CV-6). As pilot of an airplane of Squadron VS-6 in the Battle of Midway, he participated in the devastating assault against the Japanese invasion fleet.

According to the History Channel's presentation "Battle 360: Vengeance at Midway", after completing a successful dive bombing run on the Japanese carrier group at Midway, he and his radioman/tail gunner AMM 1/c Bruno P. Gaido ran out of fuel. They were captured & interrogated aboard the Japanese destroyer Makigumo. Following interrogation, the Japanese sailors tied weights to their ankles and threw them overboard to drown. Postwar investigation revealed the most likely date of the murder was June 15.^[1]

Awarded the Navy Cross

Killed in action, 4 June 1942, pressing home his attacks in the face of a formidable barrage of anti-aircraft fire and fierce fighter opposition, he was awarded the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism.

Namesake

USS O'Flaherty (DE-340) was named in his honor. She was laid down by Consolidated Steel Corp., Orange, Texas, 4 October 1943; launched 14 December 1943; sponsored by Ensign Lavada M. O’Flaherty, N.N.C., sister of Frank O’Flaherty; and commissioned 8 April 1944, Lt. Comdr. D. W. Farnham in command.

References

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.

• Frank Woodrow O’Flaherty