Remembering Veterans – One Family’s Legacy
By Ron Montonye - Pierce County Veterans Service Officer | Dec 19, 2020
Richard Morris Monger was born in Rugby on June 14, 1919. He attended the local schools, graduating from Rugby High School in 1937. On May 12, 1941, Richard was inducted into the U.S. Army and assigned to Camp Claiborne, Louisiana. Early in 1942 he was transferred to the medical detachment of the 162nd Infantry. Later in 1942 he went with this division to Australia and about a year later went to New Guinea. On July 30, 1943, Richard was killed in action while he was administering aid to a fallen comrade. His remains were initially interred in New Guinea in the United States Armed Forces Cemetery, Finschhafen. His body was later returned to the United States and reinterred at Priscilla Watts Cemetery in Rugby. Private Monger was the first man from the city of Rugby to lose his life in action during World War II. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and the Silver Star “For gallantry in action at ***,***, New Guinea on 30 July 1943.” The Silver Star is the third highest medal for heroism, just below the Medal of Honor and the Distinguished Service Cross.