b. 20/10/1867 Bergen, Norway. d. 10/02/1930 Brooklyn, New York.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 13/04/1904 USS Missouri at sea, Caribbean Sea.
Mons Monssen MOH
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. He was commissioned lieutenant in July 1918 and he retired December 15, 1925.
MOH 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.
BURIAL LOCATION: CYPRESS HILLS NATIONAL CEMETERY, BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.
SECTION OS, GRAVE 190.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.
