Retired Marine Colonel Thomas J. Flaherty has dedicated much of his life to ensuring the bravery of the young Marines he led in Vietnam is not forgotten. This commitment began on May 5, 1968, when then-Lieutenant Flaherty led his platoon into combat against a North Vietnamese Army regiment. Wounded three times while rescuing fellow Marines, he was evacuated to a naval hospital in Japan. Before fully recovering, he started writing award recommendations from his hospital bed, documenting the acts of courage he witnessed.
Years later, as a Colonel, Flaherty discovered that many of his recommendations had been downgraded during the approval process. Refusing to accept this as the final record, he began assembling military records, battlefield maps, operational reports, and firsthand accounts. His meticulous reconstruction of the battle, detailed on his website www.thomasjflaherty.com, ensures the events are preserved accurately.
Flaherty's efforts extend beyond personal recognition. He emphasizes that the story is about the young Marines, many only 18 or 19, who performed extraordinary acts of courage. The thousands of pages of documentation he has amassed over the years are dedicated to preserving their legacy. As firsthand witnesses become fewer, Flaherty believes it is increasingly important to protect the historical record and advocate for the recognition these Marines earned.
After leaving the Marine Corps, Flaherty built a nationally respected aviation law practice, but he has consistently redirected attention to the Marines he served with. His work continues today, driven by a sense of duty that began in a hospital room thousands of miles from home.
