Shipmates,

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of a good friend and past Guest Speaker at our 2022 Charleston Reunion. 

RADM Flatley was a great man and inspiring leader! I was most fortunate to be in his squadron and have him select me to be his wingman for combat missions during the Vietnam War. After his very successful naval career he initially went into corporate work but found his true civilian calling leading and improving the Patriot's Point Naval Museum in Charleston for many years. More important he was rooted in family values and was very active in his church. He always remembered his shipmates who all revered him. I loved that man!

Throw a nickel on the grass!

Capt. Craig G. Honour, USN (Ret) CO USS Seattle 1991-1993

Rear Admiral James Henry Flatley III, USN (Ret)

from information provided by RADM Samuel J. Cox (SES), USN (Ret), Director of Naval History, and from the J Henry Stuhr Funeral Chapel, Mount Pleasant SC website: www jhenrystuhr.com

Rear Admiral James H. Flatley III, USN (Ret), affectionately known to friends, colleagues and family as “Jim”, “Skipper”, “Admiral”, and “Pops”, passed away in his sleep on December 12, 2025, weeks before celebrating his 92nd birthday.

Born on January 9, 1934 in San Diego, CA to parents, James H. Flatley Jr. and Dorothy May McMurray, Jim lived a life devoted to his country, his community, and most importantly to his family.

The oldest of four boys, RADM Flatley followed in his father’s distinguished footsteps as a WWII ace by becoming a distinguished Naval Aviator himself. During his 31 years of active military service, he logged 4,460 flight hours in over thirty different aircraft, and was the first to complete 1,608 carrier landings. One of his most notable contributions to Naval Aviation occurred in 1963, when he impressed the community by successfully executing multiple carrier landings aboard the USS Forrestal (CV-59) while piloting the C-130 Hercules, the largest aircraft to ever land on a carrier.

“Skipper” was most proud of his leadership during his third tour in the Vietnam War. As Commanding Officer of Fighter Squadron 31 (VF-31), he felt the greatest accomplishment of his career was bringing home every member of his squadron to their anxious and loving families.

Upon retiring from the Navy, RADM Flatley served as Director of Government Programs at Cambridge Research Corp, and then as GM and Chairman of the Board of Intermarine USA. Jim and Nancy moved to Charleston, SC in 1994, where he served the state of South Carolina
as CEO of Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum, and was instrumental in transforming Patriots Point into the state’s largest tourist attraction. He proudly served as Chairman of the Board for Roper St. Francis Healthcare and Mt. Pleasant, remaining a valued trustee until his passing. In addition, Admiral Flatley was appointed Chairman 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, the National Medal of Honor Center for Leadership, and was a member of
the Association of Naval Aviation, the Golden Eagle Association, the USO World Board of Governors, the United States Naval Institute, the Red River Valley River Rats, the Surface Navy Association, the Naval Submarine League, and was an Emeritus member of the United States Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation.Jim is survived by his devoted and beloved wife of 67 years, Nancy Monica Christie, their six children, James IV (Christine), Joseph (Bridget), Mary Kiteley (Rex II), Michael (Jill), Kathleen, Kara Brophy (Rich), 22 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, with 2 more on the way currently. Three of Jim’s six children followed his path into military service along with 7 of his grandchildren.

His impact on Naval Aviation, the Charleston community, and the lives of those he loved and served with will be remembered for generations

A graveside service with full military honors will be held in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.          

Fair winds and following seas, God’s humble servant.