William J. Flanagan Jr.
William J. Flanagan Jr. | |
|---|---|
 Admiral William J. Flanagan Jr. | |
| Born | March 27, 1943 Jesup, Georgia, U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1967–1996 |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Commands held | US Atlantic Fleet Western Atlantic North Atlantic Treaty Organization Striking Fleet Striking Fleet Atlantic Second Fleet Destroyer Squadron 5 USS Kidd (DDG-993) USS Bronstein (FF-1037) |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
| Awards | Defense Distinguished Service Medal Navy Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit (4) |
Admiral William John Flanagan Jr. (born March 27, 1943) is a retired United States Navy four star admiral who served as Commander in Chief, United States Atlantic Fleet from 1994 to 1996.[1][2]
Early life and education[edit]
Flanagan was born in 1943[3] in Jesup, Georgia.[4] In addition to his bachelor's degree in marine transportation, Flanagan received a Master of Arts degree in political science from the American University in 1974 and graduated from Harvard Business School in 1980.[3][5]
[edit]
Bud Flanagan entered active duty service in 1967. He began his initial sea tours in USS DUBUQUE (LPD-8) and USS PARSONS (DDG-33). During these assignments to the Pacific Fleet he participated in combat operations during the Vietnam Conflict.
Initial shore assignment was to the Bureau of Naval Personnel (BUPERS) when he served as the Executive Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Naval Personnel for Personal Affairs (CNP) which included the development of Human Goals and Equal Opportunity initiatives.
Selected as the 1973 Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Fellow, Flanagan reported to Admiral Bud Zumwalt for duty on his personal staff. He lead the initiative for complete restructuring of surface warfare officer training, as well as gaining approval of the surface warfare insignia for officer and enlisted warriors.
In addition, he was detailed to the White House Staff to develop the U.S. Coherent Space Policy. Upon completion of this assignment, he reported to Admiral James L. Holloway III, the 20th Chief of Naval Operations. Flanagan developed the CNO Objectives Program which encapsulated the management objectives the CNO staff would focus on during his tenure.
Returning to sea, Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) Flanagan assumed command of USS BRONSTEIN (FF-1037) which included a Western Pacific deployment during which Bronstein participated in the evacuation of Vietnamese to safe havens under U.S. control.
During this tour Bronstein received the Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 23 Battle Efficiency “E” and the Pacific Fleet Gold Anchor Award for the best retention in the Pacific Fleet Destroyer Force.
Assignment to Washington DC followed where Commander (CDR) Flanagan served as the Administrative Aide to the Secretary of the Navy. During this tour he was selected as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men of America and recognized in DOD with the Arthur S. Flemming Award.
Returning to sea duty, he reported as Commanding Officer to USS KIDD (DDG-993), the lead ship of a new class of guided missile destroyers. CDR Flanagan deployed to the Mediterranean and Indian Oceans. During this tour Kidd earned the DESRON 10 Battle “E” Award and the Silver Anchor Award for Retention.
The Office of Legislative Affairs (OLA) was Captain (CAPT) Flanagan’s next assignment where he was responsible for all Navy surface ship procurement programs in the US House of Representatives and US Senate. This included achieving the initial approval of the DDG-51 program, a new start in surface combatants.
Assignment as the Deputy Chief of Legislative Affairs for the U.S. House of Representatives followed where he coordinated all congressional, U.S. Department of the Navy (DON) business and constituent support. Navy/ Marine Corps program support, congressional hearings, and delegation visits to the Navy and Marine Corps operating forces.
CAPT Flanagan returned to sea as the Commander, DESRON 5. This duty included working up the Kitty Hawk Battle Group for service in the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean, culminating in an around the world deployment. During this tour, he was selected for Rear Admiral (lower half) (RDML).
Washington, DC was the destination for his first flag officer assignment, where he detailed as the Director of Surface Warfare. In this capacity he was responsible for developing the architecture and financing of the Navy’s Shipbuilding Program.
RDML Flanagan’s follow-on assignment was the Navy’s Chief of Legislative Affairs where he was responsible for the conduct of the department for Navy’s congressional business. Upon completion of this duty, Flanagan was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as a Vice Admiral (VADM) and returned to sea as Commander, Second Fleet (COMSECONDFLT), Commander, Striking Fleet Atlantic (COMSTRIKFLTLANT), and Commander, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Striking Fleet.
Admiral Flanagan commenced the duties of Commander-in-Chief, US Atlantic Fleet (CINCLANTFLT) and Commander-in-Chief, Western Atlantic (CINCWESTLANT), and served until his retirement in 1997.
Military awards[edit]
- U.S. Military decorations
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Defense Distinguished Service Medal |
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal (with one gold award star) |
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Legion of Merit (with three bronze award stars) |
 |
Meritorious Service Medal (with one gold award star) |
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Joint Service Commendation Medal |
 |
Navy Commendation Medal (with one gold award star) |
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Combat Action Ribbon |
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Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon (with three bronze service stars) |
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Battle Efficiency ribbon (with three Battle E devices) |
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Navy Expeditionary Medal |
 |
National Defense Service Medal (with bronze service star) |
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Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal |
 |
Vietnam Service Medal (with four bronze service stars) |
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Humanitarian Service Medal |
 |
Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon |
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Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation (Republic of Vietnam) |
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Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation (Republic of Vietnam) |
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Vietnam Campaign Medal (Republic of Vietnam) |
References[edit]
- ^ "William Flanagan: Executive Profile & Biography". Businessweek. Retrieved 2012-09-12.[dead link]
- ^ "For couple who lived 9/11 horror, there are no words for the grief". HamptonRoads.com/PilotOnline.com. The Virginian-Pilot. September 11, 2006. Retrieved 2012-09-12.
- ^ a b Services, United States Congress Senate Committee on Armed (September 3, 1994). Nominations Before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Second Session, 103d Congress: Hearings Before the Committee on Armed Services, United States Senate, One Hundred Third Congress, Second Session, on Nominations of William J. Perry ... February 2, 3, 24; March 10, 17, 24; April 12, 14, 26; May 5, 12; June 16, 17; July 12; September 1, 14, 29; October 4, 5, 1994. U.S. Government Printing Office. pp. 821–823. ISBN 9780160463860 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Admiral William J. Flanagan, USN, Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet". USS Cheyenne (SSN 773) Commissioning Norfolk, Virginia (PDF). p. 12. Retrieved 2022-03-15.
- ^ "High Profile: Admiral William J. Flanagan". Daily Press. Retrieved 2013-01-06.
- 1943 births
- Living people
- People from Jesup, Georgia
- Massachusetts Maritime Academy alumni
- United States Navy personnel of the Vietnam War
- American University alumni
- Harvard Business School alumni
- Recipients of the Meritorious Service Medal (United States)
- Recipients of the Legion of Merit
- United States Navy admirals
- Recipients of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal
- Recipients of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal