Mons Monssen

Mons Monssen (January 20, 1867–February 10, 1930) was a sailor in the United States Navy who received the Medal of Honor for heroism while serving about the USS Missouri (BB-11).

Mons Monssen
Mon Monssen
Born(1867-01-20)January 20, 1867
Tolleshaug, Norway
DiedFebruary 10, 1930(1930-02-10) (aged 63)
Brooklyn, New York
Place of burial
Cypress Hills National Cemetery
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service/branchUnited States Navy
Years of service1889–1925
RankLieutenant
UnitUSS Missouri (BB-11)
AwardsMedal of Honor

Biography

Mons Monssen was born January 20, 1867 on a farm in Tolleshaug, Norway and enlisted in the United States Navy on June 3, 1889.

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.[1]

He was commissioned lieutenant in July 1918 and he retired December 15, 1925.

He died at the Naval Hospital, Brooklyn, New York, February 10, 1930 and is buried at Cypress Hills National Cemetery.

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization. Chief Gunner's Mate, U.S. Navy. Born: January 20, 1867, Norway. G.O. No.: 160, May 26, 1904.

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.

Namesake

See USS Monssen for the two ships named in his honor.

See also

References
This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.
  • "Monssen". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Naval History & Heritage Command, Department of the Navy. Retrieved 2005-10-28.
  • "Mons Monssen". Claim to Fame: Medal of Honor recipients. Find a Grave. Retrieved 2008-10-29.
  • "MOH Citation for Mons Monssen". HomeofHeroes.com. Retrieved 2006-06-08.
  1. Register of Commissioned Officers of the United States Navy, 1913. p.p. 110-111.
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