John R. Monaghan
Encyclopedia
Ensign
John R. Monaghan (26 March 1873 - 1 April 1899) was an officer in the United States Navy
.
, Monaghan graduated from the Naval Academy
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 USS Monadnock and gunboat USS 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 USS Philadelphia
, which was then the Pacific Station's flagship.
In March 1899 Ensign Monaghan, onboard Philadelphia, was sent to the troubled Samoan Islands
. On 1 April, while serving ashore with a combined unit of British
, Americans
and Samoa
ns, his force was ambushed by another group of rebel Samoans. When his unit's leader, Lieutenant Philip Lansdale
, 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."
Ensign
An ensign is a national flag when used at sea, in vexillology, or a distinguishing token, emblem, or badge, such as a symbol of office in heraldry...
John R. Monaghan (26 March 1873 - 1 April 1899) was an officer in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
.
Biography
Born in Chewelah, WashingtonChewelah, Washington
Chewelah is a city in Stevens County, Washington, United States. Chewelah was labeled Chiel-Charle-Mous on the 1897 U. S. Land Office Map. The population was 2,607 at the 2010 census which was a 19.3% increase over the 2000 census.-History:...
, Monaghan graduated from the Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
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 USS Monadnock and gunboat USS Alert
USS Alert (AS-4)
The third USS Alert was an iron-hulled screw steamer gunboat in the United States Navy. The lead ship in her class, Alert was destined for a long Naval career, serving from 1875 to 1922, a period of 47 years, including service as a submarine tender in World War I...
, both of which operated along the West Coast of the Americas. In July 1898, during the Spanish-American War
Spanish-American War
The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
, he became an officer of the cruiser USS Philadelphia
USS Philadelphia (C-4)
The fourth USS Philadelphia , also known as "Cruiser No. 4", was a cruiser of the United States Navy.She was laid down 22 March 1888 by William Cramp and Sons, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, launched 7 September 1889, sponsored by Miss Minnie Wanamaker, daughter of merchant and philanthropist John...
, which was then the Pacific Station's flagship.
In March 1899 Ensign Monaghan, onboard Philadelphia, was sent to the troubled Samoan Islands
Samoan Islands
The Samoan Islands or Samoa Islands is an archipelago covering in the central South Pacific, forming part of Polynesia and the wider region of Oceania...
. On 1 April, while serving ashore with a combined unit of British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, Americans
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Samoa
Samoa
Samoa , officially the Independent State of Samoa, formerly known as Western Samoa is a country encompassing the western part of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It became independent from New Zealand in 1962. The two main islands of Samoa are Upolu and one of the biggest islands in...
ns, his force was ambushed by another group of rebel Samoans. When his unit's leader, Lieutenant Philip Lansdale
Philip Lansdale
Philip Van Horne Lansdale was an officer in the United States Navy.-Biography:Lansdale, born in Washington, D.C., graduated as Passed Midshipman from the Naval Academy 18 June 1879. Commissioned ensign 1 June 1881, he served on Asiatic, North Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Pacific Stations...
, 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."