COMMANDING OFFICER
	Commander William Patrick Flanagan, U.S. Navy was born in Whitestone, L. I., New York on 17 March 1910, which accounts for the assignment of his middle name.  He attended St. Luke's Parochial School, Flushing High School, Bennett College and George Washington University.      His career at sea started in merchant marine vessels of the United States Lines and the United Fruit Company, while attending schools intermittently, and advanced as a deck officer.  He received his original commission as Ensign, USNR, in 1937 and reported for active duty in the Navy in December 1939.  He advanced through the various grades until, on November 5, 1945, he was promoted to his present permanent rank.  In 1946 he transferred to the regular navy.      He completed lighter-than-air flight training in 1942 at NAS, Lakehurst, N.J. and served as pilot of ASW Patrol Airships for almost three years.  His first assignment in the Navy was on board the U.S.S. CAPELLA (AK 13) where he remained for thirty months, the last year of which was as Navigator.  He also served as Executive Officer of the U.S.S. GENERAL G.M. RANDALL (AP115) and Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. COMET (AP 166).      In March 1948 he and Vesper Nelson, of Chicago, were married and shortly thereafter he was ordered to ADAK in the Aleution Islands as Commanding Officer of the Naval Station there.  After returning to the U.S. from ADAK he spent two years in San Francisco, and was on duty in the U.S. Naval Control of Shipping Office there, when he was ordered to the U.S.S. AULT (DD 698). He assumed command of the U.S.S. AULT (DD 698) on 15 March 1952.