06/07/2022
Most experts say what he accomplished should have been impossible! Photo of Richard J. Flaherty in Vietnam 1968
Richard J. Flaherty was born with a rare blood disease that severely stunted his growth. His doctors predicted he would only grow to the height of 4-foot-7 inches and suffer from a lifetime of physical ailments. Richard defied their predictions and instead grew to 4-Foot-9 and 97-Pounds.
Coming from a family of military heroes Richard also wanted to do his part and serve his country. Most people laughed at the idea and all the military branches turned him down due to size requirements. But that didn't deter Richard he spent the next 3 years letter writing letters until he finally received a medical waiver. With the waiver the Army finally allowed him to join... but no one ever believed he would even make it through basic training.
His uniforms didn't fit, the equipment was too big, and he was required to carry a back pack during long marches that was almost the same weight as he was. Because of his leg length marching in step with the rest of his company was incredibly difficult but Richard kept up. All the obstacle courses were built for average size men but Flaherty with a little ingenuity conquered them all. No rules were ever changed for Richard...either he would sink or swim.
Richard Flaherty didn't just make it through basic training he would volunteer to become an elite paratrooper, a Screaming Eagle with the 101st Airborne. When he jumped out of planes the instructors would have to strap machine gun parts to his legs to help his descent so he wouldn't "float away" due to his weight. He was then accepted into Officer Candidate School and graduated in 1968 as a 2nd Lieutenant. Richard then deployed to Vietnam just in time to fight and lead his platoon in some of the bloodiest battles of the war the, "Tet Offensive."
After several months of fighting on the front lines many officers would accept assignments in the rear away from combat but not Richard. He would request to be transferred to Echo Company to be a Platoon leader in a RECON unit which engaged in dangerous search and destroy missions deep into enemy territory. By the time his first tour in Vietnam was finished, Richard Flaherty would receive The Silver Star, 2 Bronze Stars, & 2 Purple Hearts for his bravery.
If you think that's where Richard's story ends think again. Richard would return to the US and try for something even more impossible he would attempt to become an elite Green Beret with the 3rd Special Forces Group. Richard would not only complete his Green Beret training but he would be promoted to the rank of Captain and serve the 46th Company based in Thailand where some of their clandestine missions into Pink Zones "across the fence" and are still not talked about or declassified.
As incredible as all his accomplishments seem that's just the first half of his life story as his next chapters of undercover operations around the world seem closer to something out of a Tom Clancy book.
To learn more about the unbelievable life of America's smallest soldier please check out The Giant Killer book and documentary. Both are available worldwide. The book can be ordered on Amazon & Walmart as a Paperback, Audiobook, eBook and Hardcover.
The award winning documentary, The Giant Killer is available world wide on Amazon, Youtube, Tubi, VUDU, iTunes, Xumo, Google Play, Roku, Vuuzle and Hoopla.
The Giant Killer DVD with bonus footage is also sold on Amazon.
Flaherty Military Bio:
Special Forces Capt. Richard J. Flaherty AKA The Giant Killer - In December of 1967, was sent to Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Division. He served as a Platoon Leader with companies B, C, and D and as a Recon Platoon Leader with Echo company.
In January of 1969, he returned to CONUS and attended the Special Forces School at Fort Bragg and was then assigned to the 3rd Special Forces Group. Later that year he returned to South East Asia with the 46th Special Forces Company A-110 in Camp Pawai, Lopburi Thailand.
Captain Flaherty earned The Silver Star, 2 Bronze Stars, 2 Purple Hearts, the Air Medal, Gallantry Cross W/Silver Star, Army Commendation Medal, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, 3 Overseas Bars, Sharpshooter Badge W/Rifle Bar, Air Medal, Parachutist Badge, Vietnam Service badge.
