Mobile (LKA 115) - Naval Cruise Book

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CDR JOHN J. FLYNN, JR. COMMANDING OFFICER (JUNE 1973- AUGUST 1975) Commander John J. Flynn, Jr. a native of Newport, Rhode Island, has served in a wide range of seagoing assignments since entering the naval service as a recruit in the Naval Reserve in 1954. Following graduation from Manhattan College, New York, in 1956, he completed training in the Reserve Officer Candidate Program and was com- missioned an ensign later that year. He was promoted to com- mander in 1969. Commander Flynn ' s first tour of duty in the USS ABBOT (DD629) included serving in the billets of First Lieutenant, ASW, and Gunnery Officer. Following submarine training in 1959, he served in the Sub- marines RED FISH and BUGARA. After a tour as an in- structor at the submarine school, New London, in 1964, Commander Flynn received training at the Naval Guided Missel School, Dam Neck, VA. In Fleet Ballistic Missile (Polaris) Navigation System. He subsequently made five deterrent missions aboard the USS WOODROW WILSON (SSBN-624) as navigator and operations officer (1964-1967). Commander Flynn served as executive officer and navigator of the USS REDFISH (SS-395) from 1967 till 1968 when he reported to the staff of com- mander Anti-Submarine Warefare Force U.S. Atlantic Fleet as a command watch of- ficer and operations analyst. In 1970, he attended a course of instruction in joint military planning at the Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Va. Upon graduation in 1971, he reported to the USS DENVER (LPD-9) as executive officer were he served until assuming command of MOBILE in June 1973. Commander Flynn has been awarded the Bronze Star, the combat action and Navy unit commendation ribbons plus other service and campaign medals.

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CAPT. WILLIAM SPRUNK, JR. COMMANDING OFFICER (AUGUST 1975- PRESENT) A native of New York City, New York, Captain Sprunk, Jr attended Auburn University where he received his degree in Electrical Engineering. He was later graduated from the Of- ficer Candidate Program And commissioned an ensign on 4 April 1952. Following his com- missioning. Captain Sprunk attended various aviation schools as a student. After receiving his wings as a Naval Aviator he became active in the area of avionics and was sub- sequently stationed with VW-3 in a typhoon reconnaissance squadron in June 1954. After serving various tours, which in- cluded a one year tour in the Republic of Vietnam as a C-47 Pilot in 1966, Captain Sprunk became Executive Officer and eventually Commanding Officer of VS Squadron 31. Captain Sprunk holds a MBA from George Washington University and in August of 1967 he attended the Naval Warfare Course at the Naval War College. Captains Sprunk ' s last shipboard tour was as Operations Officer and Ex- ecutive Officer aboard the USS WASP (CVS-13) from 1970- 1972. From 1972 until he assumed Command of MOBILE, Captain Sprunk has been attached to the Bureau Of Naval Operations in Washington DC. In the Aviation Procurment Programs and Budgets Department. Captain Sprunk has been awarded two air medals, the Navy ' s Commendation Medal with Combat V , the Navy Unit Commendation and two combat and action ribbons. Other cam- paign and service medals are as follows: The Navy Ex- peditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Viet- nam Service, and the Republic of Vietnam Service Medal