Vincent Duncan Monroe

COMMANDER VINCENT DUNCAN MONROE was born on July 1, 1934. His home of record is Oaklyn, NJ. He served in the US Navy and attained the rank of Commander (CDR).

Commander Monroe was listed as missing in action on May 18, 1968. His status was later changed to killed in action. His remains were repatriated on August 23, 1978, and identified on September 11, 1978.

Synopsis (from the POW Network) as to the circumstances behind being listed as MIA:

Commander Charlie N. James, Jr. was a pilot assigned to Reconnaissance Attack Squadron 11 onboard the USS KITTY HAWK. On May 18, 1968, he launched in his RA5C Vigilante on a multi-aircraft reconnaissance mission over North Vietnam. His Radar/Navigator that day was Lt. Cdr. Vincent D. Monroe.

The Vigilante commenced its run and crossed the North Vietnam coastline as planned, proceeding toward Vinh Son, which was the primary target. James' and Monroe's aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire and started to spout flames burning uncontrollably. The pilot of one of the other aircraft on the mission transmitted to Monroe that his aircraft was hit, and he responded with, "I know." This was the last transmission received from James and Monroe.

The aircraft decelerated rapidly and plunged toward the ground. Other pilots momentarily lost sight of the crippled craft, and when again observed, approximately 10 seconds later, it impacted the ground. Intensive automatic weapons fire was in the area from many sites. Two parachutes were observed and emergency radio beepers heard. Search and rescue efforts were initiated. However, failure to establish voice contact with either flight member and the intensity of the anti-aircraft fire in the area necessitated termination of the effort. Electronic surveillance continued, but to no avail.

Radio Hanoi broadcasted the capture of two American pilots on May 18, 1968 in the general area of the loss of James and Monroe. Both men were classified Prisoner of War.

Vincent D. Monroe was promoted after his crash to Captain. It is appears that it will never be known if Commander Monroe died when his plane went down or if, as suspected, was taken prisoner and died while in captivity. The Department of Defense gives his dates of death as Nay 18, 1968. Captain Charlie N. James was released by the North Vietnamese on March 14, 1973.

Commander Monroe was survived by his wife Suzanne and son James Vincent Monroe. After his remains were returned to United States custody, he was buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia 

VINCENT DUNCAN MONROE
is honored on Panel 62E Line 21 of
the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

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