Ensign John R. Monaghan (26 March 1873 â 1 April 1899) was an officer in the United States Navy during the SpanishâÂÂAmerican War.
Born in Chewelah, Washington Territory Monaghan was a part of the first graduating class of Gonzaga University, and ultimately graduated from the Naval Academy in June 1895. For the next two years, as a Passed Midshipman, he served in the cruiser , flagship of the U.S. Asiatic Station. Promoted to the rank of Ensign in July 1897, he was next assigned to the monitor and gunboat , both of which operated along the West Coast of the Americas. In July 1898, during the SpanishâÂÂAmerican War, he became an officer of the cruiser , 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 Samoans, 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 friendâÂÂone rifle against many, one brave man against a score of savages. He knew he was doomed. He could not yield. He died in heroic performance of duty."
A statue commemorating his death was erected in 1906 in downtown Spokane, Washington. The inscription reads: "During the retreat of the allied forces from the deadly fire and overwhelming number of the savage foe, he alone stood the fearful onslaught and sacrificed his life defending a wounded comrade Lieutenant Philip V. Lansdale United States Navy."
Legend has it that Monaghan's ghost haunts the Monaghan Music Mansion located on Gonzaga University's campus.
Two ships, , have been named for him.