NOTAM 11-2015 (Monger)

Golden Eagle NOTAM
RADM Albert J. (Jack) Monger, USN (Ret)

Dear Golden Eagles,

It is my sad duty to inform you that RADM Albert J. (Jack) Monger, USN (Ret), 89 years old, made his Last Take-Off on 7 July 2015 at his home in San Diego, CA, after a courageous battle with lung cancer. Jack was born on January 30, 1926 in El Centro, CA, and, along with his sister Alice (Monger) Tupka, was raised by Roger and Helen Monger in Brawley, CA.

Jack graduated from Brawley Union High School in 1943. He and a friend had saved up some money to take an airplane ride and he loved the ride so much that he decided to enlist in the US Navy in the V-12/Tarmac program in Nov 1943. He attended UCLA for 2 years as a Naval Aviation Cadet, entered flight training in July 45 and earned his wings on June 27, 1947.  He received Operational Training in the F6F, then went to Corpus Christie, TX, for  All Weather Flight Training. While  in Corpus he spotted the love of his life, Billie Jean O'Neal, at a local drive in. He joined VF-91,  flying F8Fs, deploying to Korea on board USS Princeton from Dec 50 to June of 51. He married Billie shortly after his return in Aug 1951 and departed the next day for their next duty assignment in New Jersey.  He served in VX-3 for a year developing carrier instrument approaches, mechanical Landing signal officer evaluations, and testing rocket firing pods on board F9F and F2H aircraft. Always a pair, they lived at more than 15 different duty stations and were the perfect Navy husband and wife team, raising six kids and handling numerous extended combat deployments.

He attended the US Naval Test Pilot School class  #9, served at Tactical Test Division for a year testing F2H-3 and 4s,  then returned to the US Naval Test Pilot School as a flight instructor through Nov 54. He was assigned as Regulus Control Pilot and Officer-in-Charge of Detachment "A"  Guided Missile Group 2 deployed in USS Randolph 9/56 through 2/57. He spent a year at Monterey Line school then went to USS Oriskany as Assistant Ops, Training and Weapons Officer through Aug 60. He received his Five Term BS Degree from UCLA in Jul 62 and then went to USAF War College Command and Staff Course through 6/63.
Jack went through A-4 training in VA-125 RAG  and then was assigned XO and CO of VA-93 deployed to Vietnam in USS Ranger and USS Enterprise from 12/63 to 2/65. He was selected as Carrier Air Wing Commander (CAG-21) and returned to Vietnam in USS Hancock and USS Bon Homme Richard where he flew A-4, F-8, A-1, A-3, E-1 and RF-8 aircraft from 6/66 through 10/67. He was awarded a Silver Star for planning and leading his squadrons on a highly successful Haiphong POL strike.  His combat awards include 3 Silver Star Medals, 2 Legion of Merit with Combat "Vs," 5 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 17 Air Medals, 3 Navy Commendation Medals  with Combat "V," and 3 Navy Unit Commendations.

He became the A-7 Program Coordinator on OPNAV Staff (Op-506) for development and fleet introduction of the A7-A/B/E Corsair ll for two years  and attended Industrial College of the Armed Forces and received an MBA degree from George Washington University in 1970. From 9/70 until 8/71, he was Commanding Officer of USS Mauna Kea (AE-22) deployed to Vietnam when the ship won the Pacific "E" for ammunition ships. Jack took command of USS Hancock (CVA-19) in Oct 71 and deployed to Vietnam for one and a half tours through Jun 73.

He was assigned Chief of Staff, COMNAVAIRPAC from 7/73 to 9/74 and selected for Flag and assigned as COMTRAPAC through 5/75. He deployed in USS Midway as COMCARGRU ONE to the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf from 5/75 to 12/76 and then became Commander, Mine Warfare Command for two and a half years responsible for USN mine stockpiles and personnel worldwide,  including liasison with USAF mine delivery squadrons. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal by the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for rejuvenating mine warfare in the USN and developing NATO Allies participation. His last assignment was as  Assistant DCNO for Air Warfare (OP-05B)  for a year until he retired in June of 1980. Jack was a member of the 4 "Cs" Club sponsored by LTV Aircraft for pilots who have flown the Corsair l, Corsair ll, Cutlass and Crusader. During his Navy career, he  piloted 79 different models of Navy and Air Force aircraft with no accidents. Superb pilot skills, calm demeanor, a keen sense of humor and humbleness made him an exceptional aviator and leader.

Following retirement, Jack and Billie lived briefly in Thousand Oaks, CA, where Jack was an executive for ARCO Solar and built some of the first solar power installations. They eventually settled in San Diego in 1981 where Jack ran Monger Industries until finally retiring in 2009. Jack and Billie were married for 55 years until Billie's passing in 2006. Jack is survived by his six children and their spouses:  son Jack Jr. (Darby) of Coronado, CA; daughters Leslie and Coleen of San Diego; sons Justin (Eva) of Rockwell, TX; and Paul (Robyn) of Annapolis, MD; and daughter Kelly (Bob) Lacivita of Los Angeles. Also surviving Jack is his niece Sandy (Tupka) Hart of San Leandro, CA and nephew Tracy Tupka of El Centro, CA. Nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren also survive him.

Services will be held at St. Didacus Catholic Church, 4772 Felton St. San Diego, with a viewing and Rosary at 4:30 PM on Tuesday, July 14, and a memorial Mass at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, July 15. He will be interred at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery with his wife Billie.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to any one of Jack's favorite charities:

Jack will be missed!

In Sadness,
Don Boecker-Pilot