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<p><em>Edward Michael “Fly” Flanagan Jr.</em> was born in Saugerties, NY to Edward Michael Flanagan Sr. and Marie Sinnott Flanagan on July 13, 1921. He graduated from Saugerties High School in 1937, attended Staunton Preparatory School in 1938, and entered the United States Military Academy in June 1939. His military career spanned 35 years, three wars and 98 parachute jumps. He was a graduate of the World War II-shortened Class of January 1943.</p>
<p>Upon graduation from West Point, Edward M. Flanagan Jr. went to Jump School at Fort Benning, GA and was assigned to the 11th Airborne Division. During World War II, he was a parachute artillery battery commander and made a combat jump on Luzon, Philippines on February 4, 1945 with the 11th Airborne Division. By April 1945 he was a major and the G-3 (Air) of the 11th Airborne Division. In August 1945 Edward M. Flanagan Jr. was the staff officer responsible for moving the 11th Airborne Division from Luzon to Okinawa and then to Japan for the initial occupation of that country. After returning to the States, he married the love of his life, Marguerite Farrell of Kingston, NY, on December 26, 1945. He served for three years with the 82nd Airborne Division, attended the Air Command and Staff College, and served on the faculty of the Artillery School at Fort Sill, OK. From May 1953 until December 1954, he commanded the 674th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion of the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team (“Rakkasans”) during the Korean War.</p>
<p>Upon returning from Korea, he attended the Armed Forces Staff College, served as assistant SGS to the Army Chief of Staff, attended the Army War College and served three years on the faculty of the Naval War College. While there, he earned an M.A. in political science from Boston University. From 1962 to 1966, Edward M. Flanagan Jr. commanded the 3rd Armored Division Artillery and served as the SGS of USAREUR. He was promoted to brigadier general in October 1966.</p>
<p>Edward M. Flanagan Jr. served in Vietnam from January 1967 until August 1968 as the Assistant Division Commander of the 25th Infantry Division, Director of the MACV Training Directorate, and as DCSOPS of the Third Marine Amphibious Force. He returned to Fort Bragg, NC to serve as the Commanding General of the John F. Kennedy Center for Special Warfare. He was promoted to major general in 1970, and later served as the Commanding General of the 1st Infantry Division. In 1972 he was promoted to lieutenant general and became Army Comptroller. In 1974 he served as the Deputy Commanding General of the Eighth U.S. Army. From 1975 to 1978, Edward M. Flanagan Jr.’s final post was Commanding General of the Sixth U.S. Army at the Presidio of San Francisco, CA. He retired from the U.S. Army in July 1978.</p>
<p>During his career, he became a master parachutist and an Army aviator and moved his family some 20 times. Upon retiring from the Army in 1978, he managed a Beaufort and Hilton Head law firm for six years. It was during this time that he renewed his interest in writing. His first book, The Angels: A History of the 11th Airborne Division 1943-1946, was published in 1948. After retiring in 1978, he published more than 100 articles on military subjects, including 45 pieces for ARMY’s “Before the Battle” series. He has had 11 books published. His last book, Airborne, was published in 2003.</p>
<p>Throughout his life, Edward M. Flanagan Jr. was devoted to his family, his country, and his faith. He was a devout Catholic and frequently served as a lector in the parishes where he attended Mass. He was a skillful tennis and squash player and a tough competitor, winning the Men’s Senior Championship of California while stationed at the Presidio of San Francisco. He enjoyed running and encouraged his children to do the same. When running was no longer an option, he walked with his wife or biked near his Lady’s Island home. He enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles and sang in a barbershop quartet.</p>
<p>Edward M. Flanagan Jr. is survived by his wife of 73 years, Marguerite Farrell Flanagan, and five children: Edward Michael III and wife, Donna; Maureen McNeill and husband, Dan K. McNeill Sr.; Terrence and wife, Cheryl; Kathleen and husband, Benjamin; and Patricia. He also had three grandchildren: Dan K. McNeill Jr., John Flanagan, and Alison Salisbury; and two great-grandchildren, Paige and Maeve McNeill.</p>
<p>Edward M. Flanagan Jr. passed away on November 7, 2019.</p>
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