This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Gregg Baitinger, BM1
to remember
Monssen, Mons (MOH), LT.
If you knew or served with this Sailor and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
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."
Connecticut Class Battleship: Displacement 16,000 Tons, Dimensions, 456' 4" (oa) x 76' 10" x 26' 9" (Max). Armament 4 x 12"/45 8 x 8"/45, 12 x 7"/45 20 x 3"/50, 4 21" tt. Armor, 11" Belt, 12" Turrets, 3" Decks, 9" Conning Tower. Machinery, 16,500 HP; 2 vertical, triple expansion engines, 2 screws. Speed, 18 Knots, Crew 881.
Operational and Building Data: Laid down by New York, Naval Ship Yard, March 10 1903. Launched September 29 1904. Commissioned September 29 1906. Decommissioned March 1 1923. Stricken November 10 1923.
Fate: Sold November 1 1923 and broken up for scrap.
