The U.S. Navy planned to give one of its own a spectacular sendoff Friday afternoon in San Diego.
Just before 2 p.m., 4 FA/18s planned to conduct a “Missing Man Formation” in honor of fallen Navy pilot, Rear Admiral Albert Jackson Monger. The jets were set to fly from Imperial Beach over North Island along the coast to Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.
Monger joined the Navy in 1943, immediately after high school graduation. He earned his Navy wings of Gold in 1947, and served his first combat tour in Korea in 1953.
Monger met his wife Billie at a drive-in in Corpus Christi, Texas while on temporary duty, and after a brief deployment the couple wed in 1951. The two were married 55 years until Billie’s passing in 2006 after living at 15 duty stations together.
Monger retired in 1980 after a 37-year career as a Navy pilot. He fought in both Korea and Vietnam and was awarded three Silver Stars, five Distinguished Flying Crosses and over 15 Air Medals.
He also received one of the most prestigious military awards only last year - the rare Presidential Unit Citation earned for extraordinary heroism against an armed enemy. The award was given to the air wing he commanded, CVW-21, and the carrier Bonhomme Richard while deployed to Vietnam in 1967.
Monger lost his battle with lung cancer at 89 years-old on July 7, leaving behind six children, nine grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
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The military first performed a Missing Man Flyby in 1938 for Major General Oscar Westover who died in a plane crash. It has been used since then to honor fallen pilots.
Monger was 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 his favorite charities: Mercy Home for Boys & Girls; Franciscan Missions or Covenant House. An online guestbook to pay respects to Monger is available here.
