U.S. Marine Corps Vietnam veteran and journalist Joseph “Morgan” Strong passed away at his Herbertsville home on April 19, he was 83. Morgan served with the 1st Marine Division and was seriously injured in combat. He received multiple awards for his bravery including the Purple Heart and Distinguished Service Award from The State of New Jersey. After returning from Vietnam, he advocated strongly for increasing veteran care and benefits, particularly those who were affected by Agent Orange earning a citation from President Carter for Outstanding Community Achievement.
Always determined to hear all the voices related to the political turmoil in the world, he studied international relations and completed his PhD studies at the New School for Social Research in New York City. He began his long career in international journalism, interviewing notable figures such as Yasser Arafat, Muammar Gaddafi, Jerry Adams, and Stephen Hawking among many others. He interviewed controversial Middle Eastern political figures, ignoring the risk of danger in the quest for understanding all sides of a story. Later Morgan was embedded as a journalist during Operation Desert Storm.
He tried his hand at politics running for political office in the New York 21st Congressional District but ultimately decided that his voice would be better served through journalism.
He was worried about food insecurity in his own community and made donations to the food pantry as often as he could. He volunteered for the Herbertsville First Aid as a driver for many years. He was also a proud member of MENSA and the Triple Nine Society. Morgan was very proud of his Irish heritage and became a dual citizen of the Republic of Ireland in 1985.
He loved sitting on his deck with a cup of coffee watching wildlife in the Manasquan River. He made sure to keep the bird feeder well stocked and looked forward to the hummingbirds returning in the Spring.
He was married to his devoted and caring wife Thea for 51 years, with whom he built a life that included adventures around the world.
He died at home in the house that he loved, surrounded by family. As with everything he did, he left this world on his own terms. He will be remembered for his unwavering passion for journalism and his determination to always tell the other side of the story. He will be remembered for his electric charisma and quick wit as well as a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather.
He is survived by his wife Thea, his daughter Joëlle, son Morgan, his two grandchildren Brennan and Riley, son-in-law Jeff, and Daughter-in-Law, Lorena. Numerous brothers and sisters-in-law in the Netherlands, and many nieces and nephews both in the Netherlands and locally.
A Memorial Service will be held Thursday April 27, 2023 from 3:00-7:00 pm at Van Hise and Callagan Funeral Home, 812 Arnold Ave., Pt. Pleasant Beach. Cremation will be private. A Military Honor Ceremony Funeral will be held at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery.
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