Donald Wesley Monson, Capt., USN (Ret.)

Capt. Donald W. Monson, USN Retired - Don was born on November 4, 1919 in West Prairie, WI. to Martin and Ana Monson. Don passed away with his family by his side on February 19th in Fullerton, CA. He was married to his wife Etta McMaster Monson for 71 years and is survived by Etta and their four sons and their wives - John & Cathy Monson of Fullerton, CA, Tom and Pam Monson of Bernardo Heights in San Diego, CA., Chuck and Linda Monson of Bellevue, WA and Cliff and Paula Monson of Kirkland, WA. He is also survived by his sister Ruth Morley of Lincoln, NE and his brother Richard Monson of Cincinnati, OH. He was proceeded in death by his brother Bob Monson of Rock Island, IL. and twin brothers Chuck and Chet Monson. Don and Etta have 10 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Don served 32 years in the Navy and participated in both WWII and Vietnam. He was a carrier pilot with 718 carrier landings and flew the SB2C Dive Bomber (The Beast) in the South Pacific campaign. His first combat mission was aboard the USS Ticonderoga with VB-80 over the Philippines. Don was the recipient of Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, the Air Medal and several WWII campaign ribbons and a Vietnam Campaign ribbon. Don served as the commanding officer of VS-23, a squadron of S2F Anti-Submarine aircraft, based out of Los Alamitos Naval Air Station in 1959 and was the Executive Officer of the USS Bennington based out of Long Beach in 1964. Don was given command of the USS Maury AGS-16 based out of Pearl Harbor in 1967 and performed it's duties off the coast of Vietnam. He was an avid golfer and upon retirement he and Etta lived in Pinehurst, NC for 15 years before moving to Palm Desert, CA for ten years. For the past five years Don and Etta have lived in Fullerton at Morningside. He will be remembered as a great loving and thoughtful husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He will be greatly missed. A memorial service to celebrate his wonderful and full life will be held on Saturday February 28th at First Presbyterian Church of Fullerton at 3:00 PM. In lieu of flowers the family has suggested a memorial gift to First Presbyterian Church - Memorial Fund.