Mons Monssen

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Mons Monssen
January 20, 1867(1867-01-20) – February 10, 1930 (aged 63)
Mon Monssen
Place of birth Bergen, Norway
Place of death Brooklyn, New York
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Navy
Years of service 1889-1925
Rank Lieutenant
Unit USS Missouri (BB-11)
Awards Medal of Honor

Mons Monssen (20 January 1867–10 February 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).

Contents

[edit] Biography

Mons Monssen was born 20 January 1867 at Bergen, Norway and enlisted in the United States Navy 3 June 1889

Warranted gunner in 1904, he was serving in USS Missouri (BB-11) 13 April 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 was awarded the Medal of Honor.

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

He died at the Naval Hospital, Brooklyn, New York, 10 February 1930.

[edit] Medal of Honor citation

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

[edit] Namesake

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

[edit] See also

United States Navy Portal

[edit] References

This article includes text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.
  • Monssen. Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Naval Historical Center, Department of the Navy. Retrieved on 2005-10-28.