Namesake:
Vice Admiral Charles B. Momsen
Charles Bowers Momsen was born in Flushing, Long Island, New York, on
21 June 1896. He attended the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating with the
Class of 1920 in June 1919. Following initial service in battleships,
he was trained as a Submarine Officer and commanded three submarines in
1923-27. Following those commands, Momsen was assigned to the Bureau of
Construction and Repair. In 1929-32 he was actively engaged in the
development of a submarine escape breathing apparatus that came to be
known as the Momsen Lung.
During the remainder of the 1930s, he held positions in submarines and
surface ships and was in charge of Navy Experimental Diving. In 1939,
Commander Momsen was involved in the salvage of the sunken submarine
USS Squalus (SS-192). During World War II, he led two Submarine
Squadrons, including service at sea as a "Wolf Pack" commander, and
held other important staff and training positions. Captain Momsen was
commanding officer of the battleship USS South Dakota in December 1944
- July 1945.During 1945-51, Rear Admiral Momsen administered the
Japanese merchant marine, was Commandant of the Naval Operating Base at
Guam, served on the Navy's General Board and was Assistant Chief of
Naval Operations for Undersea Warfare. In May 1951, he took command of
the Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet, holding that position until June
1953, when he became Commandant of the First Naval District. He was
Commander, Joint Task Force Seven from April 1954 until September 1955,
when he retired with an increased rank on the basis of combat awards.
Vice Admiral Charles B. Momsen died on 25 May 1967.
|
Ship's Crest:
 The Shield:
Gold and Dark Blue represent the
Navy; Celeste (Light Blue) and arched chief symbolize world-wide
capability. The single nebula rompu represents the submarine rescue
chamber developed and tested by Vice Admiral Momsen and since used by
the Navy in submarine rescue operations. The upper portion of the
nebula is freed and rising from the main body to convey the function of
the rescue chamber and Momsen Lung, devices conceived and developed by
VADM Momsen to save trapped mariners from damaged and sunken
submarines. The demi-trident symbolizes advanced weaponry and sea-power
and its tines recall the attack pattern employed by VADM Momsen against
convoys of Japanese shipping during Word War II. The dolphins, derived
from the submariners' badge, and traditional friends of the sailor,
refer respectively to the diving community and the individual
submariners whose safety was the main concern of the Vice Admiral's own
diving skills and the equipment testing he conducted at grave personal
risk. Gold denotes achievement and excellence.
The Crest: The stylized Navy Cross
refers to
that awarded to VADM Momsen for his heroism as Commander of an attack
group of submarines against Japan's forces in the East China Sea during
World War II. The blue and gold riband recalls the Distinguished
Service Medal he received among many awards for his wartime service;
the two gold stars refer to the legion of Merit. The swords denote
readiness and ability to fight the cutlass represents the enlisted
sailor and submariner. Together, in the form of the letter "V", they
represent the Vice Admiral's Combat Awards. The Wreath, symbol of honor
and achievement, recalls the many and various decorations made to him
during his distinguished career. The Scarlet doubling on the riband
symbolizes courage and sacrifice and refers to Navy support to Marine
Corps forces. Gold denotes excellence.
Motto: "RISE ABOVE" Inscribed in
gold letters on a dark blue forked scroll doubled gold.
|
