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| USN Gleaves-class destroyer 1,630 Tons 348' 3" x 36' 1" x 11' 10" 4 x 5" 38 guns 6 x .50 cal MG 6 x 20mm canons 10 x 21" torpedo tubes 2 x depth charge tracks  USN May 7, 1941  USN May 19, 1942 |
Ship History Built by Puget Sound Navy Yard in Bremerton. Laid down July 12, 1939 as Gleaves-class destroyer. 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. Afterwards, underwent a shakedown cruise. On June 27, 1941 assigned to the Atlantic Fleet, Destroyer Division 22 (DesDiv 22) and conducted neutrality patrols off New England and Iceland. On October 19, 1941 rendered aid to USS Kearny (DD-432) damaged by a torpedo fired by U-568 and continues patrols until U.S. entry into World War II. Wartime History On February 9, 1942 arrives Boston Navy Yard for overhaul then departs via the Panama Canal to join the Pacific Fleet. On March 31, 1942 arrives San Francisco and assigned to Task Force 16 (TF 16). On April 2, 1942 departs as part of the anti-submarine screen for USS Hornet (CV-8) for the Doolittle Raid then arrives Pearl Harbor and departs April 30, 1942 bound for the South Pacific arrives after the Battle of the Coral Sea then returns to Pearl Harbor on May 26, 1942 and two days later departs for Midway Atoll and participated in the Battle of Midway then returns to Pearl Harbor for a month then departs via Tongatapu Harbor for the Solomon Islands. On August 7, 1942 during the U.S. invasion of Tulagi with USS Buchanan (DD-484) provides fire support for U.S. Marines, 2nd Marine Regiment circling Gavutu and Tanambogo. Next, assigned to the screening force guarding the eastern approaches to Iron Bottom Sound. Afterwards, patrols the sea routes to Guadalcanal and escorts damaged USS Saratoga (CV-3) to Tongatapu Harbor. On September 18, 1942 returns to Guadalcanal to protect convoys and defend against Japanese warships then to Noumea. On November 8, 1942 departs Noumea as part of Task Group 67.4 (TG 67.4) escorting two cruisers and two other destroyers under the command of Rear Admiral Daniel J. Callaghan escorting transports with U.S. Marine reinforcements bound for Guadalcanal arriving November 12, 1942. In the afternoon, during an air raid her fire control radar went out due to a burned out transformer. At 6:30pm joins cruisers and destroyers of Task Group 67.4 (TG 67.4) proceeds eastward via Sealark Channel to screen for Task Group 67.1 withdrawing from the area via Tingo Channel. Afterwards, the warships sweep the Indispensable Strait then returns via Tingo Channel and enters Iron Bottom Sound to defend against the expected arrival of Japanese warships in column formation roughly three miles north of Kukum on Guadalcanal. Sinking History On November 13, 1942 at 1:40am at the start of the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal (Third Battle of the Solomon Sea), The weather was poor with a dark moon making visibility minimal. At the start of the engagement, Monssen was twelve in the column (second to last warship) off the north coast of Guadalcanal. At 1:50am Monssen fired five torpedoes aimed at Battleship Hiei with two hitting the port side. Monssen fired a second salvo of five torpedoes at another warships later identified as USS Atlanta (CL-51) with all missing. At 2:00am, opened fire with her guns at Japanese warships. At 2:03am Hiei opened fire at Monssen with her main and secondary batteries and scored at least 39 hits, including at least three from her main guns. At 2:23am burning and immobilized, the order to abandon ship was given. At daybreak, still burning and afloat, three of her crew: BM2c C. C. Storey, GM2c L. F. Sturgeon and F1c J. G. Hughes reboarded to rescue eight sailors still aboard, but three died before reaching safety. In the early afternoon, the burning destroyer exploded and sank into Iron Bottom Sound to the north of Guadalcanal at roughly Lat 9° 4' 30' S Long 159° 54' E. Fates of the Crew The surviving crew were rescued by boats and landing craft and put ashore on Guadalcanal with the wounded hospitalized. Seven of the rescued crew died of wounds and were buried in the American Cemetery on Guadalcanal. Awards For her World War II service, USS Monssen earned four battle stars. Shipwreck During 1992, the shipwreck was discovered by Dr. Robert Ballard in Iron Bottom Sound. The shipwreck is upright with the gun turrets turned to starboard. Memorials On October 30, 1943 launched was USS Monssen (DD-798) the second Navy warship named Monssen. References NARA U.S.S. Monssen - report of loss 16 November 1942 Naval History and Heritage Command - USS Monssen DD-436 Destroyer History Foundation - USS Monssen (DD-436) NavSource - USS Monssen (DD-436) Maritime Quest - USS Monssen DD-436 Roll of Honor Contribute
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