USS Monssen (DD-436), a Gleaves-class destroyer, was the first ship of the United States Navy to be named for Mons Monssen, who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions aboard USS Missouri (BB-11) in 1904.

Attached to Destroyer Squadron 11, she served in the Atlantic from June 1941 until March 1942 in neutrality patrols and “short of war” operations between New England and Iceland. Often operating with Kearny of her squadron, Monssen was in port she received news that Kearny had been torpedoed, 17 October.

Mons Monssen was born 20 January 1867, at Bergen, Norway, and enlisted in the U.S. Navy 3 June 1889. Warranted gunner in 1904, he was serving in Missouri 13 April when a charge ignited while a...

USS Monssen (DD-436), Off the Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton, Washington, 7 May 1941. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center. Photo #: NH 97811. View of the ship's forward superstructure, with # 2 5"/38 gun mount, the pilothouse and Mark 37 gun director.

The first MONSSEN (DD-436) was appropriately named for a gunner aboard the USS MISSOURI. He was honored for his action on 13 April 1904, when a 12-inch gun exploded causing a conflagration similar to that which brought an end to the destroyer that bore his name.

Nov 4, 2020 · 145 crewmen lost, 101 survivors picked up by small craft and landed on Guadalcanal. Promoted to Commander between Dec. 1941 and Mar. 1942. Mons Monssen was born 20 January 1867, at Bergen, Norway, and enlisted in the U.S. Navy 3 June 1889.

The first Monssen (DD 436) was laid down 12 July 1939, by Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton, Washington; launched 16 May 1940; sponsored by Mrs. Mons Monssen, widow of Lieutenant Monssen; and commissioned 14 March 1941, Lt. Comdr. R. N. Smoot in command.

Launched May 16, 1940 as USS Monssen (DD-436) named for Lt. Mons Monssen sponsored by his widow Mrs. Sadie Monssen. Commissioned March 14, 1941 in the U.S. Navy (USN) under the command of Lt. Commander Roland N. Smoot.

Monssen (DD-436) in World War II: Documents, Photographs, Recollections . Needham, Massachusetts Privately published by the editor First Edition 1995 Revised 2001

Nov 8, 2023 · USS Monssen (DD-424) was a Gleaves class destroyer that took part in the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo, the invasion of Guadalcanal and the battle of the Eastern Solomons before being sunk during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal.