Morton C. Mumma
Encyclopedia
Rear Admiral Morton Claire Mumma was a senior officer in the United States Navy
.
He was born on 24 August 1904 at Manila
, Philippine Islands. Attending the United States Naval Academy
, he graduated in the class of 1930.
One of his first commands was the submarine USS S-43
from 1935 until 1938. Original based at Pearl Harbor, the submarine relocated to Coco Solo, in the Panama Canal Zone, in 1936.
He was awarded the Navy Cross
on 13 December 1941 during World War II
, while serving aboard USS Sailfish
, after making contact with two Japanese destroyers, and bravely began a submerged attack; the destroyers detected her, dropping a couple of depth charge
s, while Sailfish fired two torpedoes. Despite a large explosion nearby, no damage was done, and the destroyers counterattacked with 18-20 depth charges.. The depth charging led Mumma to suffer a breakdown & he was relieved.
Later assigned to patrol boats, he became commander of PT boats in the South-West Pacific. Mort Bay, was named by Australian hydrographers in Commander Mumma's honour.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
.
He was born on 24 August 1904 at Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
, Philippine Islands. Attending the United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
, he graduated in the class of 1930.
One of his first commands was the submarine USS S-43
USS S-43 (SS-154)
USS S-43 was a third-group S-class submarine of the United States Navy. Her keel was laid down on 13 December 1920 by the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation in Quincy, Massachusetts. She was launched on 31 March 1923 sponsored by Mrs. John H. Brown, and commissioned on 31 December 1924 with...
from 1935 until 1938. Original based at Pearl Harbor, the submarine relocated to Coco Solo, in the Panama Canal Zone, in 1936.
He was awarded the Navy Cross
Navy Cross
The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...
on 13 December 1941 during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, while serving aboard USS Sailfish
USS Sailfish (SS-192)
USS Sailfish , a , was originally named Squalus.Her keel was laid on 18 October 1937 by the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine, as Squalus, the only ship of the United States Navy named for the squalus. She was launched on 14 September 1938 sponsored by Mrs. Thomas C...
, after making contact with two Japanese destroyers, and bravely began a submerged attack; the destroyers detected her, dropping a couple of depth charge
Depth charge
A depth charge is an anti-submarine warfare weapon intended to destroy or cripple a target submarine by the shock of exploding near it. Most use explosives and a fuze set to go off at a preselected depth in the ocean. Depth charges can be dropped by either surface ships, patrol aircraft, or from...
s, while Sailfish fired two torpedoes. Despite a large explosion nearby, no damage was done, and the destroyers counterattacked with 18-20 depth charges.. The depth charging led Mumma to suffer a breakdown & he was relieved.
Later assigned to patrol boats, he became commander of PT boats in the South-West Pacific. Mort Bay, was named by Australian hydrographers in Commander Mumma's honour.