Chief Gunner's Mate Mons Monssen was a sailor in the U.S. Navy who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on April 13, 1904 aboard U.S.S. Missouri at Sea, Caribbean Sea — a peacetime act of courage recognized in the Interim 1899 - 1910 period. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Missouri. Monssen was 37 years old.
2 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on May 1904 — presented by Pres. Theodore Roosevelt. He later rose to the rank of Lieutenant.
Monssen was born on January 20, 1867 in Bergen, Norway — one of 22 recipients born in Norway. Monssen died on February 10, 1930, at the age of 63. He is buried at Cypress Hills National Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.
Official 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.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Places
From the archives
Additional information is available in Navy General Order 43, dated April 14, 1921:
"The records of the department show that while at target practice off Pensacola, Fla., on April 13, 1904, an accident occurred in the after turret of the Missouri whereby the lives of 5 officers and 28 enlisted men were lost. That the ship was in immienent danger of destruction by explosion owing to the blazing fire in contact with the thin copper tanks containing smokeless powder in one of the 12-inch magazines. That by the prompt action of [Robert E.] Cox and two gunners mates the fire was brought under control and the loss of the Missouri, together with her crew, was averted."
The other two men mentioned above also received the Medal of Honor: Charles S. Schepke and Robert E. Cox.
Timeline
- January 20, 1867Born in Bergen, Norway
- April 13, 1904Act of valor — U.S.S. Missouri at Sea, Caribbean SeaAge 37. U.S.S. Missouri
- May 1904Medal of Honor presentedPresented by Pres. Theodore Roosevelt
- February 10, 1930DiedAge 63.
- Resting placeCypress Hills National CemeteryBrooklyn, New York
Biography
Mons Monssen (January 20, 1867 – February 10, 1930) was a Norwegian-American sailor in the United States Navy who received the Medal of Honor for heroism while serving about the USS Missouri (BB-11).
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