SC H4871

South Carolina House of Representatives expresses sorrow upon the death of Rear Admiral James H. Flatley III, who passed away on December 12, 2025, at age 91

Flatley served 31 years in active military service, logging 4,460 flight hours and completing 1,608 carrier landings—a record for naval aviators—including historic C-130 Hercules landings on the USS Forrestal in 1963

Military decorations included the Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Legion of Merit with four Gold Stars, Distinguished Flying Cross with two Gold Stars, Bronze Star Medal, and Air Medal indicating over 350 combat missions in Vietnam

After retiring from the Navy, Flatley served as CEO of Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum in Charleston, transforming it into South Carolina's largest tourist attraction, and chaired the board of Roper St. Francis Healthcare

Resolution directs that a copy be presented to Flatley's family, which includes his wife Nancy, six children, 22 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren