About the Author: Captain Alexander G. "Sandy" Monroe

By Sharron D'Angelo
HRNM Volunteer

Editor’s Note: Readers of our blog will not have missed the contributions of HRNM volunteer, Captain Alexander G. “Sandy” Monroe, USN (Ret.). Captain Monroe has authored nineteen blogs—and counting—contributing over 1,000 service hours since first volunteering in 2017. His articles span a wide variety of naval history topics that combine original research and engaging writing. We wanted to recognize his efforts and share a brief biography with our readers. The following interview was conducted by HRNM volunteer Sharron D’Angelo. To learn more about volunteering at HRNM visit: Join our Crew!

Alexander “Sandy” Monroe was born in New Haven, CT, to Dr. and Mrs. Willys M. Monroe. His father was a physician in the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) and attained the rank of captain. Dr. Monroe served in the Coast Guard as a medical officer and later various shoreside hospital assignments in the USPHS. His mother was a dietitian and became a homemaker to take care of Sandy and his sister Susan. Eventually they moved to Richmond, where Dr. Monroe accepted a position as a hospital pathologist and visiting faculty member at the University of Virginia Medical School.

Then First Lieutenant Alexander G. Monroe underway aboard USS Henley (DD 762) in 1969.

A below-average student in the public schools, Sandy did not perform as well as his parents expected. When his parents discovered Christchurch School near Urbanna, VA, he was sent there at the age of 17 to complete his junior and senior year of high school. The all-boys school was associated with the Episcopal Church and set high expectations for academics, character, and discipline. Suddenly Sandy had to do “new” things such as make his bed, clean his room, take care of himself, and get to classes on time. He vividly remembers having to wait on his teachers’ table at meal time, a humbling experience. He had to participate in regular physical exercise. With all the personal attention and encouragement, Sandy thrived. He graduated at the top of his class with honors in English. It was a turning point in his life.

Receiving an ROTC scholarship to the University of Virginia, Sandy embarked on the next step in his journey. It was not easy for him, but he applied himself diligently and graduated four years later. He earned a B.A. degree “with Distinction” in English. Prior to commissioning, he served as a midshipman on USS Corry (DDR 817) and was deployed to Key West, Florida. Later he served as Gunnery Officer/Underway Officer of the Deck on USS Aucilla (AO 56) and then at U.S. Naval Amphibious School, Little Creek, VA.

Three years later, Sandy was released from active duty. He enrolled at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg and at the same time joined the U.S. Navy Reserves. Upon earning his M.A. in government, he joined the city manager’s staff in Richmond, Virginia. During his tenure, the city experienced racial tension and housing issues. Sandy was called upon to improve communications with citizens to solve and prevent problems in municipal service delivery. He retired as the City Records Manager/Archivist after a 34-year career.

Captain Alexander G. Monroe while serving as a member of the Command Historian’s Office at the United States Atlantic Command in October 1994.

With the flexibility provided by his work, Sandy was able to continue Naval Reserve activities and served in a variety of commands, including USS Henley (DD 762), Inshore Undersea Warfare Group 5-2, and Tactical Air Control Squadron Twenty-Three. It was Sandy’s reserve duties that first officially linked him with U.S. naval history, as the first executive officer of Naval Reserve Naval History, VTU 0615. This was the first reserve command to support the Naval Historical Center (now the Naval History and Heritage Command). In this role, Sandy deployed to the Arabian Gulf during Operation Earnest Will and to NAVBASE GTMO during the first iteration of humanitarian care given to Haitian migrants there. Sandy is co-author of the official history of USCINCLANT humanitarian care rendered to Haitian Migrants (1991-93) and sole author of the official history of USCINCLANT assistance to civilian law enforcement authorities, the “drug war” (1989-97). Each unclassified book-length work is held in the Library of Congress.

Retired from the Navy Reserve in September 1993, Sandy continued to participate with NR Naval History VTU 0615. He was a major contributor to the first command history of USACOM and the 60th anniversary edition of a history of United States Joint Forces Command. Sandy earned the Defense Meritorious Service Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal for his contributions. He has written historical articles appearing in Sea History magazine and in the Journal of the Council on America’s Military Past. He is author of In Service to Their Country: Christchurch School and the American Uniformed Services.

Captain Alexander G. Monroe volunteering in the HRNM exhibit galleries.

Sandy continues to serve the U.S. Navy in his role at HRNM, where in addition to writing blogs, he also tracks down answers to historical research inquiries and engages with the public in the museum galleries. Sandy’s unique combination of interests, skills, and experience makes him well-positioned to support the museum and its visitors. In turn, Sandy finds it rewarding to give back to the Navy and remain connected to an important part of his life.

Links to Published Blogs by Captain Monroe:
6.8.17 Hampton Roads Naval Museum: A Fifty-Year Wound
6.28.18 Captain Paul Merwin and the Renaissance of Naval Station Norfolk
8.8.18 Naval Station Norfolk's Silent Sea Stallion
3.29.19 Hampton Roads Naval Museum: The Silent Screwtop of VAW-123, Part 1
6.27.19 Hampton Roads Naval Museum: The Silent Screwtop of VAW-123, Part 2
5.12.20 Hampton Roads Naval Museum: Saving the Venezuela and Other Rescues
12.11.20 Hampton Roads Naval Museum: Summer of '67: Training for the Fleet
3.18.21 A Tragedy on Granby Street: Part 1
3.25.21 Hampton Roads Naval Museum: A Tragedy on Granby: Part 2
7.29.21 Hampton Roads Naval Museum: Beans, Bullets, Black Oil, and Drink Cups: Fleet Logistic Support in the Cuban Missile Crisis
11.4.21 Hampton Roads Naval Museum: Book Review: Sea Stories, My Life in Special Operations
1.12.22 Hampton Roads Naval Museum: LST 333's Rendezvous with War: Loss of a Norfolk Ship
3.13.22 Hampton Roads Naval Museum: LST 333's Rendezvous with War: Loss of a Norfolk Ship
4.7.22 Hampton Roads Naval Museum: Patrol Craft on the Rivers of Vietnam
9.8.22 USS Santee: The Fleet Oiler that Became an Aircraft Carrier
11.3.22 Two Sisters for Normandy: USS Raven (AM 55) and USS Osprey (AM 56)
3.23.23 Hampton Roads Naval Museum: Flights of the Albatross, 1955-1967
5.18.23 Hampton Roads Naval Museum: The President Warfield, Haganah Ship Exodus, and Citizens of Norfolk, Virginia
7.13.23 Hampton Roads Naval Museum: An Ill Wind that Blew USS Yancey (AKA 93) No Good