Captain Jack Pendleton Monroe

Monroe earned the Distinguished Service Medal; the Bronze Star Medal; the Commendation Ribbon with Bronze Star; the American Defense Service Medal; the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal; the American Campaign Medal; the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal; the World War II Victory Medal; the Navy Occupation Service Medal, Asia Clasp; and the National Defense Service Medal.

Jack Pendleton Monroe was born in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, on June 19, 1904, son of Jack P. and Florence Bowman Monroe. He attended Shaw High School in Cleveland, Ohio, before entering the U.S. Naval Academy from Ohio on August 2, 1923. As a Midshipman he was a member of the 150 pound crew and played class football.

Graduated and commissioned Ensign on June 2, 1927, he subsequently progressed in rank to that of Rear Admiral, his date of rank July 1, 1956.

After graduation from the Naval Academy in June 1927, he served for two years aboard the U.S.S. Tennessee, and in 1929 reported for flight training at the Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida. Designated Naval Aviator in January 1930, he was assigned to Scouting Squadron 9-S, aviation unit of the U.S.S. Northampton.

A year later he was transferred to Observation Squadron 3-B, attached to the U.S.S. Nevada. During a two-year period in 1932-34 he had shore duty at the Naval Air Station, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, where he commanded the Utility Unit of that station, and served in Patrol Squadron 4.

From 1934 through 1937 he was attached to Bombing Squadron 3 based first on the U.S.S. Ranger, later on the U.S.S. Lexington. Returning to the Naval Air Station, Pensacola, he served for one year as Planning Officer in the Assembly and Repair Department, and a second year as Aide to the Commandant.

In the summer of 1939 he assumed command of the U.S.S. Gannet, and a year later was assigned to the Staff of Patrol Wing Two, based at Pearl Harbor. In 1941 he joined the Staff of Commander Carrier Division One as Aide and Flag Lieutenant aboard the U.S.S. Saratoga. He was serving in that assignment when the United States entered World War II in December 1941.

He received a Letter of Commendation with Ribbon from the Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet, for "outstanding performance of duty in the line of his profession as Flag Lieutenant and Signal Officer on the Staff of the Air Task Group Commander in preparation for, during, and after the successful engagements with the enemy in the Coral Sea on May 7 and 8, 1942...".

Monroe was ordered next to the U.S.S. Bogue and was aboard that carrier escort when she participated in escort and anti-submarine operations in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater in early 1943. Upon his return to the United States in 1943 he was ordered to the Bureau of Aeronautics, Navy Department, Washington, D.C.

He received a Letter of Commendation, with authority to wear the Bronze Star on his Commendation Ribbon, from the Secretary of the Navy, as follows: "As head of the Armament Branch of the Engineering Division of the Bureau of Aeronautics from October 1943 to December 1944, you performed duties of vital importance with extraordinary foresight and efficiency in developing advanced aircraft armament, and in effecting sound armament installations in all types of Naval Aircraft...".

In January 1945 he assumed command of the U.S.S. Kadashan Bay (CVE-76). "For meritorious service as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. Kadashan Bay, operating as a unit of the Carrier Transport Squadron, Pacific Fleet, from February 6 to September 2, 1945..." he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. The citation states that he “successfully delivered large quantities of critically needed combat aircraft, aviation material and replacement pilots, ground and aircrewmen to bases in the forward area of the Pacific¼and contributed to the success of our forces¼”.

Detached from the Kadashan Bay after the the Japanese surrender he reported as commanding officer of the Naval Air Station, Sangley Point, Luzon, Philippine Islands, where he remained throughout 1946.

In March 1947, he was ordered to the staff of Commander Air Force, Pacific Fleet, as Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations and two years later was transferred to duty at the Naval Ordnance Test Station, Inyokern, California. He reported on 8 January 1951 to Commander Operational Development Force, Atlantic, and served as Chief of Staff and Aide until August 1952.

On 8 August 1952 he assumed command of the U.S.S. Tarawa CV-40 and remained in command of that carrier until August 1953. He was in command during the ship’s 1953 Mediterranean Cruise.

He next commanded the Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida, from September 1953 to June 1955. For the next year he was Chief, Naval Air Base Training, Pensacola, following which he trained as a helicopter pilot, earning his wings in June 1956. He then spent a year as Director of Operation 53 in the office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Navy Department.

In July 1956 he was promoted to Rear Admiral. At that time he became Commander, Middle East Force, until August 1957. On October 26, 1957 he reported as Commander Naval Air Missile Test Center, Point Mugu, California, and from July 1958 was assigned additional duty as Commander Pacific Missile Test Range, Point Mugu; in December 1958 this additional duty became his primary assignment until September 1961.

He then became Director of the newly established Development Facilities, Astronautics and Ranges Division, Operation 76, in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations.

On March 7, 1963 he reported as Commander Naval Forces, Philippines; Commander in Chief, Pacific Representative, Philippines; and from January 15, 1964 to January 1, 1965 had additional duty as Commander Naval Air Bases, Philippines.

On July 1, 1966 he was transferred to the Retired List of the U.S. Navy.

"For exceptionally meritorious service...as Commander U.S. Naval Forces, Philippines, and Commander in Chief, Pacific Representative, Philippines, from March 1963 to June 1966..." he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal.

The citation further states in part: "Exercising outstanding leadership, sound judgment, and keen foresight in coordinating military requirements throughout the area of his command, Rear Admiral Monroe, through persuasive negotiation, effectively promoted intercountry relations and established and nurtured effective channels for liason where none previously existed, thereby furthering United States prestige and good will with foreign nations.

"In addition to successfully meeting the monumental challenge of coordinating and providing logistic support to forces engaged in combat in Southeast Asia, he greatly facilitated increased communications capabilities by formulating and expediting communications improvements in shore stations under his command. As a result, these installations were advanced well ahead of original plans, thereby enabling timely direction of forces in sensitive politico-military operations...".

Shortly after arriving aboard the Tarawa in 1952, Admiral Monroe married Mrs. Phyllis G. Sandvig of Windsor, North Carolina. They had four children: Jack P. Monroe Jr., who served as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps; Janet Monroe; John C. Sandvig; and Richard G. Sandvig.

In 1998, Admiral Monroe was living in retirement in Pensacola, Florida.

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