The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Rear Admiral [then Captain] Charles Bowers Momsen (NSN: 0-56064), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander, Submarine Squadron TWO of the United States Pacific Fleet, during World War II. With unfailing patience and a careful analysis of the faulty performance of submarine torpedo exploders which resulted in an alarming number of duds occurring in attacks by submarines of this force, Rear Admiral Momsen personally supervised an investigation to determine the weakness of the exploder then in use and, correlating his own ideas with those submitted by others, succeeded in developing a vastly improved exploder which insured efficiency of our submarines in subsequent actions. During one experimental phase of the program when a war shot torpedo fired into a cliff failed to explode, he unhesitatingly, and at great risk of life, entered the water and assisted in the recovery of this live torpedo for further examination. By his professional skill, untiring persistence and devotion to the fulfillment of an essential mission, Rear Admiral Momsen contributed materially to the successful submarine warfare wages in the Pacific, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Rear Admiral [then Captain] Charles Bowers Momsen (NSN: 0-56064), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. SOUTH DAKOTA (BB-57), in operations against the enemy during the period 9 December 1944 5o 30 July 1945. During prolonged and arduous combat operations in the course of which his ship participated in numerous air actions and bombardments of enemy held shore defenses, he consistently maintained the fighting efficiency of his ship at a high level and made possible an impressive record of destruction inflicted upon the enemy. The effectiveness with which he fought his ship was a very material factor in keeping to a minimum damage inflicted by the enemy upon the force of which he was a part. His outstanding loyalty, professional skill, devotion to duty and coolness under fire were an inspiration to the officers and men under his command, and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Rear Admiral Momsen is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Rear Admiral [then Captain] Charles Bowers Momsen (NSN: 0-56064), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander Submarine Squadron TWO from February to November 1943; and as Commander Submarine Squadron FOUR from November 1943 to May 1944, with additional duty as Chief of Staff, Commander Training Command, Submarine Force, United States Pacific Fleet, from November 1943 to April 1944. Through his excellent judgment and able supervision of the squadrons under his command, Rear Admiral Momsen was responsible in a large way for the success of Submarine Squadron TWO and FOUR in completing many war patrols in enemy waters and in sinking many thousands of tons of hostile shipping. Skillfully and equitably discharging his duties as Chief of Staff, he contributed materially to the successful prosecution of submarine warfare in the Pacific area. His tireless devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.