James J. McMonagle

Major General James J. McMonagle last served on active duty as the Commanding General, I Marine Amphibious Force/Commanding General, 1st Marine Division, FMF, Camp Pendleton, California. He retired on August 1, 1988.

General McMonagle attended Central Catholic High School in San Antonio and graduated in 1949. He subsequently attended the University of Notre Dame, and upon graduation, received a B.S. degree in Physics. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps Reserve through the NROTC program.

After completing instruction in the 25th Special Basic Course, at The Basic School, Quantico, Va., he was assigned successively to the 3d Marine Division in Japan and to the 1st Marine Division in Korea and, later, at Camp Pendleton, Calif., where he served tours as rifle platoon commander, assistant S-3 and rifle company commander.

He augmented into the regular establishment during July 1955. In 1956, he attended the Communication Officers' Course and was subsequently transferred to the 2d Marine Division where he served in the Republic of Lebanon when U.S. Forces were requested to assist in quelling the 1958 crisis.

After being promoted to captain, he was ordered to duty aboard the USS DES MOINES (CA-134) as the Commanding Officer of the Marine Detachment. At that time the DES MOINES was the Sixth Fleet Flagship and was home ported at Villefranche, France. He was later transferred to Quantico where he served as an instructor at the Instructor Training School and attended the Amphibious Warfare School. While at Quantico, he was promoted to major.

Following graduation, he reported to the 1st Marine Division for duty and, shortly thereafter, was assigned to the Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, Calif. In July 1966, he was transferred to Oxford, Miss., where he served as the Marine Officer Instructor at the University of Mississippi.

In August 1968, General McMonagle joined the 3d Marine Division in the Republic of Vietnam. He served as S-4, 3d Marines, and, after promotion to lieutenant colonel, was assigned duty as the Regimental Executive Officer, 3d Marines, and as the Commanding officer, 2d Battalion, 3d Marines. For his service in Vietnam, he was awarded the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" and gold star in lieu of a second award. After Vietnam he served a tour of duty at Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington, D.C., in the G-1 Division, as Special Assistant for JCS Matters.

He returned to Quantico in February 1972. While there he served as S-3 of The Basic School; Assistant Director and Director of the Amphibious Warfare School; and Commanding Officer, Headquarters Battalion. } Between assignments at Quantico, he attended the Naval War College, Newport, R.I.

In May 1975, he was ordered to the Office of the Secretary of the Navy, where he served as the Special Assistant and Marine Corps Aide. During this tour of duty, he was promoted to colonel. He was reassigned to Headquarters Marine Corps in June 1976, serving successively as Ground Colonels Monitor and Head, Officer Assignment Branch. While serving in the latter assignment, he was selected for promotion to brigadier general in February 1979. He was advanced in that grade in March 1979 and assigned duty as the Assistant Division Commander, 3d Marine Division, FMF, Pacific, on Okinawa; and, while in that billet, served concurrently as Commanding General, 3d Marine Amphibious Brigade.

In May 1980 he assumed duty as the Assistant Depot Commander, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, Calif. Upon his advancement to major general on June 7, 1982, he was assigned duty as the Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruit Depot/Commanding General, Eastern Recruiting Region, Parris Island, S.C., on June 10. In August 1984, he was assigned duty as the Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower/Director, Personnel Management Division, Headquarters Marine last assignment on Aug. 13, 1986.