USS Monssen (DD-798)
The USS Monssen (DD-798) served in the U.S. Navy for nearly two decades in the mid-20th century. She was named for Lieutenant Mons Monssen who was stationed at New York during World War I. Monssen was laid down as a Fletcher-class naval vessel.
Construction
Monssen was laid down at Staten Island, New York by the Bethlehem Steel Corporation in June 1943, launched in October, and commissioned in February 1944 with Commander Barnhart A. Feutsch in command. Carrying a crew of 273, Monssen had a range of 6,500 nautical miles at 15 knots and was armed with ten 21-inch torpedo tubes, five 5-inch anti-aircraft guns, four 1.1-inch anti-aircraft guns, and four 20-millimeter anti-aircraft guns.
Naval History
Monssen arrived at San Diego on escort duty and then sailed for Pearl Harbor in May 1944. The destroyer then took part in the operations at Saipan in June and then the Battle of the Philippine Sea. In July, Monssen served during the bombardment of Tinian and provided fire support to protect troops onshore. Monssen also operated during troop movements through Leyte Gulf in October.
In January 1945, Monssen took part in the operations at Lingayen Gulf, where she battled Japanese suicide planes, and then served with aircraft carriers during strikes on Tokyo. Monssen conducted radar picket and plane guard duties in support of the Okinawa assault, and then sailed north of the island to intercept enemy vessels. She participated in raids on the Ryukyu Islands, Hokkaido, and Honshu in June. Monssen sailed to the west coast in mid-August, but while en route was ordered back to Japan for occupation duty.
Monssen arrived on the west coast in late September and was decommissioned at San Diego with the Pacific Reserve Fleet in April 1946. Reactivated in October 1951, Monssen was assigned to the Atlantic Fleet, at Newport, Rhode Island, in March 1952 until May 1954. Monssen was then deployed with the 7th Fleet to the Far East, and patrolled off Korea and the Taiwan Straits from June until October. She was then assigned to duty in the Atlantic, decommissioned at Boston in September 1957, and then transferred to the Philadelphia Reserve Group in 1962. While being moved, Monssen grounded at Beach Haven Inlet, New Jersey for six weeks. Monssen was sold for scrap to the Union Minerals & Alloys Corporation in 1963.
Asbestos Risk on the USS Monssen (DD-798)
Nearly every compartment aboard Monssen was contaminated by material containing asbestos fibers. Engineering sections employed asbestos fibers more widely than did others. Asbestos was a common ingredient in cement, adhesives, mortar, seals and valves.
The more frequently a sailor was exposed to asbestos-containing materials, the greater his odds of developing mesothelioma. Legal recourse exists for Navy veterans with ailments caused by asbestos. You can learn about these diseases, treatment options, and your legal rights by requesting our free information kit. Just complete the form on this page and we’ll send you this valuable guide.
Sources
Haze Gray & Underway. Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. DD-798.
http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/destroy/dd798txt.htm
NavSource Naval History. Monssen (DD-798).
http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/798.htm
