Evening star., 1954-06-02
Society News
Coast Guard Cause
OF Gala Reception
New Commondont and Mrs. Richmond
Fete Retiring Commondont O'NeiII
By Doisv CIeIond
Society News
By Doisy CIeIond

~SbSy
The brand-new Commandant
Of the Coast Guard and Mrs.
Alfred c. Richmond entertained
at a reception last evening.
Their guests Of honor were the
Commandant and Mrs. Merlin
O'Neill. The party was scheduled
from 6 to 8 and took place at the
Army Navy Country Club.
The former commandant was
in mufti-to wit a white dinner
jacket. His successor had been
sworn into Office at 10:30 yester-
day morning and he therefore
seemed to almost set a record for
becoming civilian.
The party was gay and made
up Of the service set" almost
entirely. Guests arrived sparSely
at first and then almost in droveS
the number probably reaching
about 200. All seemed on the
most part to be old friends and
seemed to SENSE a festive oc-
caSion.
Become Full AdmiroI
A receiving line formed in the
main room as you walk into the
club. It was made up first of
an aide to Vice Admiral Merlin
O'Neill, Comdr. w. S. Bakutis,
who introduced the guests: then
the new Commandant and Mrs.
Richmond, next Mrs. O'Neill and
finally the main man of the party
"a young and dashing looking
retired Coast Guard Comman-
dant.
The invitations for the party
went out in the names of Rear
Admiral and Mrs. Richmond in
honor of Vice Admiral and Mrs.
ONeill. Well it takes a fast per-
son to keep up with the services
for those titles had changed in
the short few days from the time
the invitations were issued to the
time the guests arrived for the
gala reception.
Vice Admiral O'Neill had be-
come a full admiral on retire.
ment and Rear Admiral Rich
mond had become a vice ad-
miral when he took on the
responsibilities as commandant.
Always be alert when with the
Armed Services.
The admirals' wives were love-
ly and turned out in pastel
frocks. Mrs. Richmond's was an
aqua with matching shoes and
Mrs. O'Neill wore a becoming
French blue frock fashioned with
q square neckline. Both COM
pleted their costumes with pur-
pie orchids pinned to their
dresses.
Mrs. Priest q Bit Lote
The most popular spot for
guests to gather was the room to
the left which not only supplied
a Sumptuous buffet and bar but
a great blessing for yesterday
air conditioning. The guests ar
rived, went through the receiv-
ing line at a quick pace and on
to the room of plenty. The hosts
and guests of honor seemed to be
in agreement as the receiving
line was broken up at TIA with
still some important guests about
to arrive.
Those who had to look for
the RichmondS and the O'Neills
included the Assistant Secretary
of the Treasury and Mrs. H.
Chapman Rose and former
Assistant Secretary of the Treas
ury and Mrs. Edward Foley.
Another couple coming a bit
late for the first how-do-you-
dos was the Treasurer of the
United States Ivy Baker Priest
and her husband, Mr.. Roy F.
Priest. Mrs. Priest looked about
her and saw all the top brass
and laughed as she said that
her husband was an admiral,
too. American Air Lines had
given him that rank.
The hosts and guests of honor
received before the flag of the
United States and the Coast
Guard standard. The latter has
a field Of white with a blue
eagle which is clutching 13 ar
rows, symbol of the first 13
Colonies. Competing the decor
were. spring flowers mainly in
the shades Of red, white and blue.
Daughter Attends
Admiral and Mrs. O'Neill's
daughter Mics Mo ,.iIxyva N,NYa;1J