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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
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Photo # NH 47734:  Ensign John R. Monaghan, USN

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Ensign John R. Monaghan, USN (1873-1899)

John Robert Monaghan was born on 26 March 1873 in Chawelah, Washington. He was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy in 1891, graduating in June 1895. For the next two years, as a Passed Midshipman, he served in the cruiser Olympia, flagship of the U.S. Asiatic Station. Promoted to the rank of Ensign in July 1897, he was next assigned to the monitor Monadnock and gunboat Alert, both of which operated along the West Coast of the Americas. In July 1898, during the Spanish-American War, he became an officer of the cruiser Philadelphia, which was then the Pacific Station's flagship.

In March 1899 Ensign Monaghan's ship was sent to the troubled Samoan Islands. On 1 April, while serving ashore with a combined unit of British, Americans and Samoans, his force was ambushed by another group of Samoans. When his unit's leader was wounded, Ensign Monaghan seized a rifle and attempted to rescue the injured officer. The official report of the action stated: "The men were not in sufficient numbers to hold out any longer, and they were forced along by a fire which it was impossible to withstand. Ensign Monaghan did stand. He stood steadfast by his wounded superior and friend - one rifle against many, one brave man against a score .... He knew he was doomed. He could not yield. He died in heroic performance of duty."

Four U.S. Navy ships have been named in honor of Ensign John R. Monaghan: USS Monaghan (Destroyer # 32, later DD-32) of 1911-1934; and USS Monaghan (DD-354) of 1935-1944.

This page features the only view we have of John R. Monaghan.


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Photo #: NH 47734

Ensign John R. Monaghan, USN


Contemporary photograph of an 1897 vintage artwork portrait.
Ensign Monaghan was killed in action at Samoa on 1 April 1899.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 86KB; 500 x 765 pixels

 


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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Page made 27 February 2005