Michigan Man Gave His Life During Japan's Attack On Pearl Harbor

On this day in 1941, Japan launched an air assault on Pearl Harbor and leading us to war. Here is a Michigan man who lost his life helping his fellow sailors.

We often see memorials for the ships that sank and can even look down upon the wreckage of the USS Arizona. Not too often do we see the memorials of the men in their hometown.

Ensign Francis C. Flaherty, as inscribed on this monument in Charlotte, Michigan, went above and beyond the call of duty. During the attack on the fleet in Pearl Harbor by Japanese forces on 7 December 1941. Flaherty, assigned to the U.S.S. Oklahoma remained in a gun turret with a flashlight, lighting the way for other sailors to find their way out of the sinking ship and losing his life while saving others. Flaherty received the Medal Of Honor for his actions.

I made several attempts to find his family members through queries online and at the Charlotte Courthouse and museum but could not find any of his family.

Maybe this will find them and serve as a thank you to Ensign Flaherty for his service to our country.