- Mons Monssen
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Mons Monssen
Mon MonssenBorn January 20, 1867
Bergen, NorwayDied February 10, 1930 (aged 63)
Brooklyn, New YorkPlace of burial Cypress Hills National Cemetery 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 (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).
Contents
Biography
Mons Monssen was born January 20, 1867 at Bergen, Norway and enlisted in the United States Navy June 3, 1889
Warranted gunner in 1904, he was serving in USS Missouri (BB-11) April 13, 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.
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 includes 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. http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/m13/monssen-i.htm. Retrieved 2005-10-28.
- "Mons Monssen". Claim to Fame: Medal of Honor recipients. Find a Grave. http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=10104. Retrieved 2008-10-29.
- "MOH Citation for Mons Monssen". HomeofHeroes.com. http://www.homeofheroes.com/moh/citations_peace/monssen_mons.html. Retrieved 2006-06-08.
Categories:- 1867 births
- 1930 deaths
- Navy Medal of Honor recipients
- United States Navy officers
- Foreign born Medal of Honor recipients
- Burials at Cypress Hills National Cemetery
- American people of Norwegian descent
- People from Bergen
- Norwegian emigrants to the United States
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