During World War II, USS Flying Fish patrolled the waters off of Midway, Taiwan, Iwo Jima and the Marianas Islands. While under the command of Commander Robert D. Risser, and Lieutenant Commander Julian T. Burke, Flying Fish received 12 battle stars and was credited with damaging a Japanese battleship. She was also one of the first boats to be outfitted with mine detection gear for use in the Sea of Japan. The flag shows that Flying Fish had sunk six warships and 13 merchant vessels in its 12 war patrols by late May 1945.