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Maureen Flavin's pivotal role in the success of the D-Day invasion remained largely unknown for over a decade after World War II[2][3][4][5]. It wasn't until secret files were made public in 1956 that her contribution came to light[2].
In the years following the war, Flavin continued to run the remote post office in Blacksod, County Mayo, where she had worked as a young woman[3][4]. It wasn't until 1956, when secret files were declassified, that she learned of the significance of her weather reports in delaying the D-Day invasion from June 5 to June 6, 1944[2][3].
Flavin's accurate prediction of a storm brewing in the Atlantic on June 3, 1944 had prompted Allied commanders to postpone the invasion by 24 hours[3][4][5]. This decision proved pivotal, as the weather on June 6 was more favorable for the successful Allied landings in Normandy[3][4].
It wasn't until decades later, in 2021, that Flavin's role was officially recognized by the U.S. Congress[4][5]. A joint resolution honored her "skill and professionalism" in ensuring Allied victory, stating that her "legacy will live on for generations to come."[5]
Flavin's story gained wider attention in the lead-up to the 80th anniversary of D-Day in 2024[1][4]. Obituaries and news articles highlighted her crucial weather report, which had altered the course of World War II[4][5]. Her life and actions were celebrated as an example of how even small contributions can have a profound impact on history[2].