The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Captain Albert Jackson Monger (NSN: 0-504105), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer, U.S.S. HANCOCK (CVA-19) and Commander Task Group SEVENTY-SEVEN POINT FIVE, from 8 February to 14 September 1972, during combat operations against the enemy. Captain Monger displayed superior initiative, imagination, and perseverance in directing combat sorties against the enemy throughout the most critical hard fought operations of the Vietnam War, thereby contributing to the halt of a massive invasion of the Republic of Vietnam by North Vietnam forces. An exceptionally capable officer who was always responsive to the welfare of his men, his fine personal leadership promoted a continuing high state of morale, safety and well being within his command and contributed significantly to a sustained high level of combat effectiveness. His firm guidance and sound judgment were instrumental in the development of a highly effective HANCOCK/Attack Carrier Air Wing TWENTY-ONE combat team. Captain Monger’s dynamic leadership, tactical expertise and steadfast devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CaptainDivision:
U.S.S. Hancock (CVA-19)Action Date:
February 8 – September 14, 1972
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderRegiment:
Carrier Air Wing 21Division:
U.S.S. Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31)Action Date:
February 26 – July 30, 1967
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Commander Albert Jackson Monger (NSN: 0-504105), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander Attack Carrier Air Wing TWENTY-ONE, embarked in U.S.S. BON HOMME RICHARD (CVA-31), conducting strike operations in Southeast Asia during the period 26 February to 30 July 1967. Through his inspirational leadership, tireless efforts and high sense of duty, Commander Monger effectively led his Air Wing in all phases of combat operations, inflicting maximum damage upon the enemy. His superb airmanship and fearless courage served as an outstanding example for his pilots and was instrumental in the aggressive spirit and high morale maintained by the Air Wing throughout the cruise. His superlative knowledge and effective use of combat tactics, optimum employment of aircraft under his command, and the complete support of the well trained and dedicated officers and men of Carrier Air Wing TWENTY-ONE, resulted in an unsurpassed team effort. Commander Monger’s leadership, initiative, fearless courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Commander Monger is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderRegiment:
Attack Carrier Air Wing 21Division:
U.S.S. Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31)Action Date:
April 25, 1967
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Commander Albert Jackson Monger (NSN: 0-504105), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against hostile enemy forces in North Vietnam while serving as Commander Attack Carrier Air Wing TWENTY-ONE, embarked in U.S.S. BON HOMME RICHARD (CVA-31), on 25 April 1967. Assigned as the strike leader of a 28-aircraft strike against the Haiphong Ammunition Depot, Kien An, North Vietnam, Commander Monger used his extensive experience and knowledge to carefully plan the tactics and assign forces to specific tasks. He skillfully led the strike group to the target area. As he commenced a climb to roll-in altitude a volley of enemy surface-to-air missiles was fired directly at the strike group. After successfully evading this missile attack, Commander Monger resolutely positioned the group for attack and again was forced to evade a second volley of enemy missiles. During the third attempt to position the strike group, enemy fighters were sighted in the target area maneuvering for position on the last section of attacking aircraft. With great courage and exercising outstanding leadership he directed the group to a position where the deliver phase of attack was initiated. With disregard for his personal safety he concentrated on his own attack, delivered his bombs in the target, and personally accounted for two large buildings destroyed. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral Albert Jackson Monger (NSN: 0-504105), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commander Mine Warfare Command, Charleston, South Carolina, from November 1976 to May 1979. An extremely competent and resourceful leader, Rear Admiral Monger made continuous and cost effective improvements to the current mine stockpile and the mine/delivery vehicle interface. In an effort to increase the parameters of release of the Mark Fifty series mines form tactical aircraft, he proposed testing of these mines at faster speeds and lower altitudes. The test results proved that these current mines had greater capability than heretofore believed and as a result, aircraft attrition estimates during aerial mining in defended areas will be reduced substantially. Rear Admiral Monger’s development of a detailed Mine Countermeasures Plan with goals and objectives for 1985 integrated various research and development efforts into a required capabilities plan based on the threat. In addition, his comprehensive program to introduce appropriate mine warfare information into Navy and Defense Department policy guidance documents, and his briefings on Mine Warfare at all levels of command heightened interest in and support of mine warfare. Rear Admiral Monger’s distinctive accomplishments, outstanding leadership, mature judgment, and inspiring devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Legion of Merit
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit to Rear Admiral Albert Jackson Monger (NSN: 0-504105), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Assistant Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Air Warfare) from June 1979 through May 1980. Rear Admiral Monger’s aggressive and energetic efforts were directly responsible for significant advancements in naval aviation during this time frame. His outstanding contributions to the decision-making process came during a period when many critical and complex issues were addressed on current and long-range naval aviation programs. Among these were the F-18 program, the concepts for introducing VSTOL aircraft into the fleet, the aircraft carrier Service Life Extension Program, Naval Air Reserve programs and readiness, and the maintenance and upgrading of all aspects of material readiness. Rear Admiral Monger, through his outstanding professional knowledge and deep sense of personal responsibility, enhanced significantly the effectiveness of U.S. Naval Aviation. By his distinctive accomplishments, perseverance, and selfless devotion to duty, Rear Admiral Monger reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderBatallion:
Attack Squadron 93 (VA-93)Division:
U.S.S. Ranger (CVA-61)Action Date:
February 11, 1965
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander Albert Jackson Monger (NSN: 0-504105), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in combat with the enemy on 11 February 1965, while serving with and commanding Attack Squadron NINETY-THREE (VA-93), embarked in U.S.S. RANGER (CVA-61). As the flight leader of sixteen A-4C aircraft, Commander Monger led his group in the retaliatory air strike against Chanh Hoa, North Vietnam. Leading the group to the target area above an overcast and without navigational aids, he ordered the divisions to follow him in column at prescribed intervals to the target. Proceeding ahead, he descended through clouds to an altitude of 500 feet, navigating precisely to the target in restricted visibility. Despite intense anti-aircraft fire and adverse weather conditions, he calmly maneuvered his division into a precision low-level attack which inflicted extensive damage to the enemy installations. His bomb-burst on target materially assisted succeeding divisions in locating the target. Commander Monger’s aggressiveness, outstanding aerial leadership, and courageous action in the face of grave personal danger were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderBatallion:
Attack Squadron 93 (VA-93)Division:
U.S.S. Ranger (CVA-61)Action Date:
March 15, 1965
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander Albert Jackson Monger (NSN: 0-504105), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in combat with the enemy on 15 March 1965, while serving with and commanding Attack Squadron NINETY-THREE (VA-93), embarked in U.S.S. RANGER (CVA-61). Participating in the air strikes against Phu Qui Ammunition Depot in North Vietnam as the flight leader of twenty-four A-4C aircraft, Commander Monger played an essential role in the preliminary planning and briefing of the strike and led the flight o the point of final approach to the target. Detaching on signal, he led his division through inclement weather conditions and in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire to his assigned target and conducted a highly successful attack which resulted in fires and explosions in the target area. Commander Monger’s outstanding leadership, aggressiveness and courageous devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderBatallion:
Attack Squadron 93 (VA-93)Division:
U.S.S. Enterprise (CVA(N)-65)Action Date:
December 22, 1965
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander Albert Jackson Monger (NSN: 0-504105), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in combat with the enemy on 22 December 1965, while serving with and commanding Attack Squadron NINETY-THREE (VA-93), embarked in U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CVA(N)-65). As strike leader of 24 A-4C aircraft, Commander Monger led the group in a highly successful air strike against the Uong Bi Thermal Power Plant, a major source of power for the industrial complex of Hanoi-Haiphong, North Vietnam. Utilizing his expert knowledge of A-4C delivery tactics, he contributed significantly in the overall pre-flight planning phase and was singularly responsible for the final determination of the deliver maneuvers to be employed. In marginal weather conditions, Commander Monger skillfully led the group on a long over-water leg, and then at low level over mountainous enemy terrain to the target area, where he quickly and accurately assessed the tactical situation and directed the delivery maneuvers of the A-4C aircraft. Despite intense and highly accurate anti-aircraft fire, he calmly maneuvered his division into a precision low-level attack on the target, inflicting extensive damage to the enemy installation. Commander Monger’s aggressiveness, outstanding aerial leadership and courageous action in the face of grave personal danger were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderRegiment:
Carrier Air Wing 21Division:
U.S.S. Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31)Action Date:
May 30, 1967
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Fourth Gold Star in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander Albert Jackson Monger (NSN: 0-504105), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a pilot of a jet attack aircraft while commanding Attack Carrier Air Wing TWENTY-ONE, embarked in U.S.S. BON HOMME RICHARD (CVA-31), in action against hostile enemy forces in North Vietnam on 30 May 1967. As the designated leader of a coordinated air wing strike against the vital Phu Ly Railroad Bridge, Commander Monger planned, coordinated, and then led a brilliantly successful bombing attack. Making use of his extensive combat experience he devised a highly integrated, minutely detailed, and precisely timed operational plan. Maintaining tight tactical control throughout, he skillfully maneuvered the strike group over a circuitous route to the target while successfully evading an unexpected barrage of heavy caliber anti-aircraft fire. He then led the group in a precision bombing attack which resulted in the complete destruction of a very difficult target, severing a major link in the enemy’s North-South logistics route. Commander Monger’s imaginative planning, superb airmanship and courageous leadership in the flawless execution of a vitally important strike were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderRegiment:
Attack Carrier Air Wing 21Division:
U.S.S. Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31)Action Date:
June 11, 1967
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Commander Albert Jackson Monger (NSN: 0-504105), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commander Attack Carrier Air Wing TWENTY-ONE, embarked in U.S.S. BON HOMME RICHARD (CVA-31), in action against hostile enemy forces in North Vietnam on 11 June 1967. As the designated leader of an air wing strike, Commander Monger planned, coordinated, and led a highly successful bombing attack against Uong Bi Thermal Power Plant located ten miles from Haiphong. Because of its capacity for generating electrical power in North Vietnam, it was a highly strategic target and as such was strongly defended by anti-aircraft and surface-to-air missile sites. Commander Monger’s selection of and navigation over a difficult and circuitous route reduced en route anti-aircraft fire to a minimum. Upon arrival in the target area, Commander Monger so expertly maneuvered the strike group that they were able to accomplish devastating damage to the power plant despite very heavy anti-aircraft and surface-to-air missile opposition. Commander Monger’s outstanding leadership, thorough knowledge of combat tactics, superlative airmanship, and peerless courage in the face of grave personal danger were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.