| Commander Russell Flynn |
| Dedication and Bio |
Tribute to USS HAROLD J. ELLISON (DD864)
Finest assignment in my entire career- HAPPY
JACK -a special ship always ready, crew and officers worked as an outstanding team. Won
two E’s, first in DESRON 4 and then in DESRON 36 during my tour. Two exciting Med
tours, each with critical world tensions and each included separate duty in the Persian
Gulf, and on the last we saw and heard SPUTNIK. And I remember how well the crew kept all
Machinery and electronics maintained and working in spite of intense heat and red dust in
the Red Sea and Arabian Sea. Four trips through the Suez Canal, special sights and great
learning experience as we led the convoy each time. And SIXTH Fleet maneuvers and
exercises, always on line and out in front. I’ll never forget our sonarmen and our
aggressive pursuit of submarines, some not ours. And how we were Designated by COM6THFLT
to pick up and distribute Midshipmen on summer cruises to the entire Sixth Fleet and how
hard our officers and men worked to get our midshipmen qualified as OOD, CIC watch
Officers and engineering duty watch officers. And underway replenishments- SIXTHFLT style-
full speed Approach-back down-Admiral "Cat" Brown asks, "Who has
Conn?" Ellison responds "Midshipman 1st Class Scott" our way of
saying Gotcha. Then later, riding out East Coast hurricanes, huge winds and waves, many
seasick. Through storm center information, carrier badly damaged and our damage post
office deck house cracked. Finally, yard period and Fram II, such display of dedicated
performance by entire crew to get Ship’s Force work done on time..
My sincere thanks to all who served with me. Russell F. Flynn,
Captain U.S.N. Retired
Commanding Officer USS Harold J. Ellison (DD-864) from July 5, 1957 when he relieved Commander Maurice E. Wall U.S.N. (165675/1100) until July 30,1959 when relieved by Commander Thomas E. Bass U.S.N. (192288/1100.
Biography while Commanding Officer.
Commander Russell F. Flynn was born in Leesville, Conn. He began his military career by enlisting in the U.S.Army with intention of attending the U.S. Military Academy. However, while attending the Army West Point Preparatory School, he obtained an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy and graduated as a member of the class of 1942, in December 1941. During WWII he served as Signal Officer of the U.S.S. Mississippi (BB41) and Communication Officer of U.S.S. Pennsylvania (BB38). He participated in the amphibious operations in the South Pacific, at Attu in the Aleutians, Leyte Gulf and Linguyen Gulf in the Philippines, the battle of Siragao Strait, and was on board Pennsylvania when she took an aircraft Torpedo at Okinawa the day before the war ended. Since that time he has served 2 years as Communications Officer of U.S.S. Iowa 9 (BB61), Executive Officer of U.S.S. Gainard (DD706) and U.S.S. Watts (DD567), and on the staff of Commander Carrier Division 16. In 1944, he completed the The Applied Communications course at the Postgraduate School at Annapolis, MD. And from 1948 to 1951 he was assigned as communication instructor for the General Line School at Monterey, Ca. Commander Flynn’s most recent duty was in the Office of CNO where he supervised Naval and Allied Communications Doctrine and Procedures. His wife and five children reside in Norfolk, VA.
Subsequent Career Biography
Commander Flynn was then assigned to the Atlantic ASW Tactical School as Head Tactical Trainer and then as Operational Communications and Planning Officer for CINCLANTFTL/CINCLANT/SACLANT. In July 1961 he was promoted to Captain USN and was extremely busy during the Cuban Crisis and the subsequent Naval Blockade. In March 1963, he assumed Command of U.S.S. MOUNT MCKINLEY (AGC7) while the ship was participating as amphibious flagship, Sixth Fleet. The following year he became Commanding Officer, U.S. Naval Communications Station, Norfolk,Va. and he retired from the naval service in July 1966. He commenced his civilian career Employed by Western Union Corp. in the Government Division in McLean, Va. occupying various management positions for the Automated Digital Network (AUTODIN). His final position was Program Manager AUTODIN II until his retirement August 15,1978. Since that date, he and his wife (former - Belle W. Welch of Anne Arundel Co, Md.) Have greatly enjoyed their waterfront home at St. Micheals, Md. On the Milles River off Chesapeake Bay and visits from their six children and 12 grandchildren. He has been active in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary since 1979 and has enjoyed many on the water activities…
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