This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Gregg Baitinger, BM1
to remember
Monssen, Mons (MOH), LT.
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Contact Info
Home Town Tolleshaug
Last Address Brooklyn, New York
Date of Passing Feb 10, 1930
Location of Interment Cypress Hills National Cemetery (VA) - Brooklyn, New York
Mons Monssen was a chief gunners mate serving on USS Missouri (BB-11) on April 13, 1904 when a charge ignited while a 12-inch gun was being loaded for target practice. Eighteen officers and men lost their lives. Monssen entered the burning magazine through the scuttle and threw water on the fire with his hands until a hose was passed to him. For his actions he received the Medal of Honor a month later.
Monssen was warranted as a gunner on May 27, 1904 and promoted to chief gunner on May 27, 1910. He was commissioned lieutenant in July 1918 and he retired December 15, 1925. He died at the Naval Hospital, Brooklyn, New York.
Other Comments:
Two Navy ships have been named USS Monssen in honor of Lieutenant Mons Monssen:
USS Monssen (DD-436), was a Gleaves-class destroyer that served from 1940 until sunk during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal in 1942.
USS Monssen (DD-798), was a Fletcher-class destroyer that served from 1943 until 1957.
Medal of Honor Citation:
"Serving on board the U.S.S. Missouri, for extraordinary heroism in entering a burning magazine through the scuttle and endeavoring to extinguish the fire by throwing water with his hands until a hose was passed to him, 13 April 1904."
1902-1904, GM-0000, USS Missouri (BB-11)
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Maine Class Battleship: Displacement 12,500 Tons, Dimensions, 393' 11" (oa) x 72' 3" x 26' 8" (Max), Armament 4 x 12"/40 16 x 6"/50, 6 x 3"/50 2 x 18" tt. Armor, 11" Belt, 12" Turrets, 4" Decks, 10" Conning Tower. Machinery, 16,000 IHP; 2 vertical, Inverted, triple expansion engines, 2 screws. Speed, 18 Knots, Crew 561.
Operational and Building Data: Laid down by Newport News, Shipbuilding, Newport News VA., February 7, 1900. Launched December 28, 1901. Commissioned January 12, 1903. Decommissioned September 8, 1919. Stricken July 1, 1921.
Fate: Sold January 26, 1922 and broken up for scrap.
