Colman O'Flaherty
Encyclopedia
Rev. Colman E. O'Flaherty (1874–1918), was an Irish
born American recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross
during World War I
.
was born in Carraroe
, Ireland
on April 24, 1878. He received his early education in Ireland and continued his studies at Lyons, France where he became fluent in French and at Montreal, Canada. He was ordained at Sioux Falls on September 15, 1901 and spent the next nine years at Chamberlain
and Kimball
during which time he was responsible for the construction of seven church buildings including Columbus College at Chamberlain. In 1910 he was appointed to take charge of the Holy Family Church at Mitchell
where he was instrumental in the development of Notre Dame Academy at Mitchell.
He joined the American Expeditionary Force
and was sent to France during World War I
and served as a chaplain
with the 28th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division . He was killed in action by shellfire on October 1, 1918. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross
, the citation of which read: For extraordinary heroism near Very
, France
, Chaplin O'Flaherty displayed conspicuous gallantry in administering to the wounded under terrific fire, exposing himself at all times to reach their sides, and give them aid. In the performance of this work, he was killed.
He was the older brother of Mayor of Galway
Michael O'Flaherty
(elected 1950) and uncle of Patrick O'Flaherty
(born 1928, elected 1964).
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
born American recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross
Distinguished Service Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army, for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree...
during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.
Biography
O'FlahertyO'Flaherty
Ó Flaithbertaigh, Gaelic-Irish surname, anglicized as O'Flaherty-Overview:This Gaelic-Irish surname is written as "Ua Flaithbertach" or "Ua Flaithbertaig" in Old Irish and Middle Irish texts....
was born in Carraroe
Carraroe
An Cheathrú Rua is a village in County Galway, Ireland. The village is within the Irish-speaking region of Connemara, and is famous for its traditional fishing boats known as Galway Hookers. Its population is widely dispersed over Carraroe peninsula between Greatman's Bay and Casla Bay...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
on April 24, 1878. He received his early education in Ireland and continued his studies at Lyons, France where he became fluent in French and at Montreal, Canada. He was ordained at Sioux Falls on September 15, 1901 and spent the next nine years at Chamberlain
Chamberlain, South Dakota
Chamberlain is a city in Brule County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 2,387 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Brule County. Chamberlain is home to the Akta Lakota Museum and Cultural Center, which profiles the lives of nomadic Plains Indians...
and Kimball
Kimball, South Dakota
Kimball is a town in Brule County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 703 at the 2010 census.-History:Kimball was first known as Stake 48 on the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad line going west out of Mitchell, South Dakota. In 1880, the first homestead claims were made in the...
during which time he was responsible for the construction of seven church buildings including Columbus College at Chamberlain. In 1910 he was appointed to take charge of the Holy Family Church at Mitchell
Mitchell, South Dakota
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 14,558 people, 6,121 households, and 3,599 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,475.7 people per square mile . There were 6,555 housing units at an average density of 664.4 per square mile...
where he was instrumental in the development of Notre Dame Academy at Mitchell.
He joined the American Expeditionary Force
American Expeditionary Force
The American Expeditionary Forces or AEF were the United States Armed Forces sent to Europe in World War I. During the United States campaigns in World War I the AEF fought in France alongside British and French allied forces in the last year of the war, against Imperial German forces...
and was sent to France during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and served as a chaplain
Chaplain Corps (United States Army)
The Chaplain Corps of the United States Army consists of ordained clergy who are commissioned Army officers as well as enlisted soldiers who serve as assistants. Their purpose is to offer religious services, counseling, and moral support to the armed forces, whether in peacetime or at war.-Army...
with the 28th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division . He was killed in action by shellfire on October 1, 1918. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross
Distinguished Service Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army, for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree...
, the citation of which read: For extraordinary heroism near Very
Very
Very may refer to:*Very *Very *Very, an album by Miki Furukawa*Very *Véry, a commune in the Meuse department in France*Very, a mail order store, part of the Shop Direct Group...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Chaplin O'Flaherty displayed conspicuous gallantry in administering to the wounded under terrific fire, exposing himself at all times to reach their sides, and give them aid. In the performance of this work, he was killed.
He was the older brother of Mayor of Galway
Mayor of Galway
The office of Mayor of Galway is an honorific title used by the of Galway City Council. The Council has jurisdiction throughout its administrative area which is the city of Galway – the largest city in the province of Connacht, in the Republic of Ireland. The office was originally established by a...
Michael O'Flaherty
Michael O'Flaherty
Professor Michael O'Flaherty is an Irish academic human rights lawyer and a member since 2004 of the United Nations Human Rights Committee , the expert body that oversees compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights...
(elected 1950) and uncle of Patrick O'Flaherty
Patrick O'Flaherty (mayor)
Patrick O'Flaherty was Mayor of Galway from 1964 to 1965 and from 1973 to 1975.-Biography:O'Flaherty was from Upper Dominick Street and one of six children. He boarded at Blackrock College, Dublin as well as been locally educated, graduating from University College, Galway in 1950 with a B.A....
(born 1928, elected 1964).