James P. Monaghan

JAMES P, MONAGHAN SOA # 27-GL – SFA # D-506, Captain, US Army, (Ret) passed away on December 7, 2012 at St Mary’s Hospital in Long Beach, California from complications relating to exposure to agent orange.  Jim was born on the 9th of August 1936 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He entered the Army in 1953 and his first major assignment was to the 557th QM Co (Abn), an Aerial Delivery Unit in France. His Special Forces Assignments started with the 7th Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg.  Then to 1st Special Forces Group Okinawa, Vietnam (A-421 Plei Mrong 1963, A-422 Ashau Valley 1964), and the Republic of China (Taiwan); 3rd Special Forces Group; 5th Special Forces Group (III Corps Mike Force A-302 1966; SOCPAC Okinawa;  10th Special Forces Group Germany;  5th Special Forces Group (B-56/Advisor to Team 162 Delta Project changeover to 81st Airborne Ranger Group 1970);  1st Special Forces Group Okinawa A-323 (SCUBA) and Army Readiness Region IX Presidio of San Francisco as Senior Enlisted Advisor to 3rd Bn, 12th Special Forces Group.  His many awards and decorations include the Silver Star, Soldier’s Medal, Purple Heart w/2 OLC, ARCOM w/”V” Device, Presidential Unit Citation, Meritorious Unit Citation, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Vietnamese Service Medal w/6 Campaign Stars, Master Parachutist Badge, SCUBA Badge, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry w/Palm, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry w/Silver Star, and Vietnam Parachute Badge.  Jim was President of Chapter 2, Founding Member of Chapter 23, and a member of Chapter 43, Special Forces Association. He was also the second President of Special Operations Association.  After his retirement in 1978 Jim was the Military Advisor in the production of the movies “Wild Geese 2”, “Blue Skies”, “Body Snatchers” and had a part in the movie “Chips and the War Dog”.  Jim is survived by his former spouse Marie (they were planning to get remarried); two daughters, Helen Monaghan, Patricia Monaghan Wilson; two granddaughters, Amanda, Angie; one great granddaughter, Aubrey. There are tentative plans for a Memorial Service to be held at Fort Bragg.  Burial will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a date to be determined and announced by the Arlington Cemetery.  James P was noted for always saying: “You might be out of sight, but you are never out of mind”.