Albert J Monger

RADM Albert J. (Jack) Monger, 89, passed away on July 7, 2015 at his home in San Diego, California after a courageous battle with lung cancer . He was born on January 30, 1926, in El Centro, California, and along with his sister Alice (Monger) Tupka, was raised by Roger and Helen Monger in Brawley, California.

Jack graduated from Brawley Union High School in 1943, and immediately joined the US Navy, attending UCLA as a Naval Aviation Cadet. The demand for Navy pilots created by WW II was such that after only two years of college he was sent directly to flight school. In 1947 Jack earned his Navy wings of gold and was commissioned an Ensign. Shortly afterward he made his first combat deployment to Korea with VF-191.

Following that deployment, Jack was on a brief training assignment to Corpus Christi, Texas, when he spotted the love of his life, Billie Jean O’Neal at a local drive-in. Another Korean War deployment followed just a few months later, but the couple was married upon his return in August 1951, and departed the next day for their next duty assignment in New Jersey. Always together, they lived at more than15 different duty stations and were the perfect Navy husband and wife team, raising six kids and handling numerous extended combat deployments.

Jack attended the Navy’s Test Pilot School in 1953, and later returned to UCLA for his bachelor’s degree in 1961. He later attended the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in 1970 and also earned an MBA from George Washington University. He was devoted to the Navy for 37 years and retired in 1980 with the rank of Rear Admiral

As a Navy pilot Jack participated in the Korean and Viet Nam Wars earning numerous personal awards for bravery including three Silver Stars, five Distinguished Flying Crosses and over 15 Air Medals. But the award he treasured most was the rare Presidential Unit Citation earned by the air wing he commanded,CVW-21,and the carrier Bonhomme Richard while deployed to Viet Nam in 1967 – an award he only learned of in 2014. Teamwork and sharing credit for success were hallmarks of his career.

Superb pilot skills, calm demeanor, a keen sense of humor and humbleness made him an exceptional pilot and an outstanding leader. During his remarkable career, he commanded an A-4 squadron (VA-93), a carrier air wing (CVW-21), an ammunition ship (USS MAUNA KEA, AE-22), an aircraft carrier (USS HANCOCK, CVA-19) and a carrier strike group (CARGRU-1).

Following Navy 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.

An avid golfer and competitor, Jack played a weekly “high stakes” game with several close friends, and was happiest when he came home with an extra dollar or two in his pocket. He was a member of the Golden Eagles and several alumni associations from Navy commands and groups where he served, as well as the Unconcerned Citizens of San Diego. He delighted in getting together with old shipmates and keeping up to date with their progress in life. His strong faith was an integral part of his character, and he was an active member of the St. Didacus parish near his home. Jack’s greatest joy was having his family around him and he delighted in sharing their journey through life.

Jack is survived by his six children and their spouses; son Jack Jr. (Darby) of Coronado, CA, daughters Leslie and Colleen of San Diego, CA, sons Justin (Eva) of Rockwall, TX and Paul (Robyn) of Annapolis, MD, and daughter Kelly (Bob) of Los Angeles, CA, 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: Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, www.mercyhome.org, 1-877-637-2955; Franciscan Missions, P.O. Box 130, Waterford, WI 53185, www.franciscanmissions.org; Covenant House, 461 Eighth Ave, NY, NY 10001, www.covenanthouse.org, 1-800-388-3888.

An online guestbook is available at www.merkleymitchell.com