Vice Admiral James Henry Flatley Jr. (June 17, 1906 – July 9, 1958) was a World War II naval aviator and tactician for the United States Navy (USN).

In late April, 1942, just prior to the Battle of the Coral Sea, Flatley was dispatched to USS Yorktown (CV-5) with orders to take command of Fighting Squadron 42 (VF-42).

After a few days, the issue was sorted out: Fenton was recognised as VF-42's commander, and Flatley was ordered back to the United States to form a new fighter squadron.

On 7 May, Flatley led a group of Grumman F4F Wildcat fighters to escort Douglas TBD Devastators from VT-5 in the attack that sank light carrier Shōhō.

During the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands on 26 October 1942, Flatley led several F4F Wildcat fighters to escort Grumman TBF Avenger torpedo bombers from VT-10 in a strike on Japanese carriers.

Later that day, his division of four F4F Wildcats encountered A6M Zeros from the carrier Jun'yō at higher altitude and deployed Thach Weave defensive tactics when they attacked.

[1] During the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal on 15 November 1942, Enterprise launched a strike force against the damaged battleship Hiei and Flatley's group of Wildcats provided escort.

[4] During the attack on the Shōhō, Flatley observed numerous torpedo and dive bombers wasting their ordnance on an already finished carrier, instead of diverting to other intact ships.

Flatley – along with John S. Thach and Butch O'Hare – was instrumental in communicating tactical advice throughout naval aviation, and changing the perception that the F4F Wildcat was inferior to the Japanese Zero.

Flatley later received a commendation for his bravery in retrieving wounded personnel after the carrier USS Bunker Hill (CV-17) was hit by kamikazes on May 11, 1945.

That evening, he led a division on combat air patrol in a fierce attack and resultant dispersal of a formation of enemy scouting planes, assisting in the destruction of two of them.

On all these occasions, Lieutenant Commander Flatley displayed the highest qualities of leadership, aggressiveness and complete disregard for his own personal safety.