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.
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Awards Received
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Navy Cross
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 104 (May 18, 1929)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant Charles Bowers Momsen (NSN: 0-56064), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service to the government in the successful development of the escape device known as the “Lung”. During the early stages of its design and development Lieutenant Momsen, one of the inventors, courageously, repeatedly and voluntarily risked his life in conducting experiments of a nature such that there was little or no information available as to their probable results. In the later tests of the device when escapes were made from the U.S.S. S-4 submerged to depth as much as 206 feet, Lieutenant Momsen was not only the first person to venture the escape but was also the leading and guiding spirit in all subsequent ones. It is through the initiative, courage and perseverance of Lieutenant Momsen that the development of the “Lung”, which has been pronounced as the greatest single contribution to Submarine escape, has reached a successful conclusion and the device has been adopted as part of the regular equipment of all our submarines.
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Rear AdmiralAction Date:
November 1945 – October 1946
War Department, General Orders No. 20 (1947)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral Charles Bowers Momsen (NSN: 0-56064), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States in Japan from November 1945 to October 1946. Serving as Administrator, Naval Shipping Control Authority for the Japanese Merchant Marine, United States Pacific Fleet, Admiral Momsen directed the shipping of the Japanese Second Demobilization Bureau and the Japanese Civilian Merchant Marine in repatriating nearly six million people. He provided for the proficient training of Japanese crews, and resourcefully integrated United States and Japanese shipping into an effective organization which insured the safe and expeditious return of millions of displaced persons to their homes. Through his seasoned judgment, comprehensive knowledge and unremitting devotion to duty, Admiral Momsen contributed greatly to the fulfillment of occupational objectives.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Rear Admiral [then Captain]Division:
U.S.S. South Dakota (BB-57)Action Date:
December 9, 1944 – July 30, 1945
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”.)
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Rear Admiral [then Captain]Action Date:
February 1943 – April 1944
Commander Submarine Forces Pacific Fleet: Serial 02631 (November 12, 1945)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.
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Navy Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Rear Admiral [then Captain]Division:
Submarine Squadrons 3 & 4Action Date:
February 1943 – June 1944
Pacific Fleet Board Awards: Serial 56 (April 18, 1944)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Rear Admiral [then Captain] Charles Bowers Momsen (NSN: 0-56064), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism as Commander of a Coordinated Attack Group of Submarines operating in the enemy Japanese-controlled waters of the East China Sea from February 1943 through June 1944. A master of submarine warfare, Captain Momsen evolved a doctrine of attack whereby submarines could be organized into an attack group capable of operating deep in enemy-controlled waters while maintaining full striking power. As a result of his professional skill and resolute leadership, the submarines under his command sank five Japanese ships totaling over 38,000 tons and damaged eight ships totaling 63,000 tons. Much of the credit for the submarines’ aggressiveness and successful attacks, in spite of severe enemy counter-measures, was largely due to his efficient administration and inspiring leadership in coordinating these submarines into an efficient attack force. Commander Momsen’s conduct was at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service.