He is survived by his mother Sally, his father George, his sister Sara, and his two brothers James and Joseph. More importantly, how different groups whether it be at Fort Campbell or at Pendleton or in Norfolk, at churches, how wanted to make sure his name and his story in his sacrifice continued on. Exploit isn't the right word - that happens right? They were providing overwatch security while joint and combined forces were conducting missions in the area. Requiescate in pace. Rose, thanks for bringing this story to life and adding it to the library of literature on Medal of Honor recipients. WHILE THE SEALS VIGILANTLY WATCHED FOR ENEMY ACTIVITY, AN INSURGENT THREW A HAND GRENADE FROM AN UNSEEN LOCATION, WHICH BOUNCED OFF PETTY OFFICER MONSOORS CHEST AND LANDED IN FRONT OF HIM. Words seem insufficient to recognize him as the most honorable, decent, unselfish, brave man who gave his life to save others. I mean, you can imagine Michael who gave everything he had to have to hang up and quit and ring that bell and be viewed by all of his classmates as a quitter. The parents of Master-At-Arms 2nd Class (SEAL) Michael A. Monsoor accepted the nation's highest military honor on behalf of their son during a White House ceremony April 8, 2008. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, All Major Military Award Recipients (PDF), Medal of Honor Recipient's Story of Overcoming Obstacles and Sacrifice, Transcript of Veterans Radio Host Jim Fausone's Interview with. USS Michael Monsoor commissioning ceremony honors legacy of Navy SEAL 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. He is buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego. Legal Statement. She co-wrote a book with George Monsoor. Michael Anthony Monsoor (April 5, 1981 September 29, 2006) was a United States Navy SEAL who was killed during Invasion of Iraq and posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. Thank-you for raising such a great son. A Navy SEAL sacrificed his life to save his comrades by throwing himself on top of a grenade Iraqi insurgents tossed into their sniper hideout, fellow members of the elite force said. USS Michael Monsoor (DDG-1001) will be commissioned into Navy service. Rea: I don't think we'll ever understand, Jim. In that split second, which is all that he had, he jumped on top of it and shielded the blast with his own body. At his funeral in San Diego, California, SEALs lined up on both sides of the route of the pallbearers and loudly slapped gold tridents from their uniforms on the wooden casket as a . Your act and demonstrated honor is a high standard for all of us. Received the Silver Star posthumously for previous heroic actions in Iraq on May 9, 2006 when he pulled a wounded teammate to safety while under hostile enemy fire. Copyright 2018 by Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC He attended Catholic Mass devotionally before operations, and often spoke lovingly of his family - his older brother, a police officer and former Marine for whom he held great respect; his sister, a nurse; and his younger brother, a college football player. By his courageous and selfless actions, he saved the lives of his two fellow SEALs and he is the most deserving of the special recognition afforded by awarding the Medal of Honor. I have looked at this picture over and over again and it speaks to me. There was only one access point for entry or exit and Monsoor was the only one who could have saved himself from harm. You had a chance to talk to some of these men. All of the older guys get fun jobs. Talk a little bit about the role and responsibility that goes with being that automatic weapon operator. I feel like it was about a hundred pounds extra the guys were telling me from bullets from his SAW Gun, which you probably could go into more specifics about, but I meant it was a huge automatic weapon. AS ENEMY ACTIVITY INCREASED, PETTY OFFICER MONSOOR TOOK POSITION WITH HIS MACHINE GUN BETWEEN TWO TEAMMATES ON AN OUTCROPPING OF THE ROOF. - Source A Navy Seal's Story Worth Remembering : NPR He has an older brother James and older . The 40th annual San Francisco Fleet Week kicked-off Oct. 4 with ship arrivals bringing together the San Francisco community, Marines, Coastguardsmen and Sailors to . Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. As shown at the end of the tribute video linked below, during Monsoor's funeral service, as the casket was taken from the hearse to the gravesite, fellow SEALs . I was part of their community. Rea:Right. An insurgent closed in and threw a fragmentation grenade into the overwatch position. Zumwalt-class destroyer USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001) moored at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPACT) 2022. Monsoor was engaged in a firefight in Ramadi when, according to the military report, he and another SEAL pulled a team member shot in the leg to safety while bullets pinged off the ground around them., On 29 September (2006), Monsoor was part of a sniper overwatch security position in eastern Ramadi, Iraq, with three other SEALs and eight Iraqi soldiers. You had middle school classes want to make videos and learned about his story. U.S. Navy via Getty Images . He was 25 years old. I don't think any of us can sit back and think oh it's so easy for everyone else, but it's hard for us to see past our own difficulty sometimes. ELEMENT SNIPERS THWARTED THE ENEMY'S INITIAL ATTEMPT BY ELIMINATING TWO INSURGENTS. Legal Statement. Instead, Monsoor chose to protect his comrades by the sacrifice of his own life. Imperial Beach Outlying Landing Field. An incredible athlete, Mike enjoyed snowboarding, body boarding, spear fishing, motorcycle riding, and driving his Corvette. U.S. Navy's newest stealth destroyer USS Monsoor christened - CNN He really wanted to protect them. Michael, being the man that he was, was aware of everything going on around him. [9], The display moved many attending the funeral, including President Bush, who spoke about the incident later during a speech stating: "The procession went on nearly half an hour, and when it was all over, the simple wooden coffin had become a gold-plated memorial to a hero who will never be forgotten."[9]. Monsoor yelled, Grenade! and dropped on top of the grenade prior to it exploding. The Mountain Warfare Training Facility Camp Michael Monsoor is located 50 miles east of San Diego, near the city of Campo. So many guys have named their kids after him because they just loved him so much. Everyone in the unit knows Petty Officer Michael A. Monsoor's career history and shares it with all new cadets. Security services could have stopped Manchester Arena attack if they acted on intelligence, and bomber's own family 'holds significant responsibility' for his radicalisation, damning report finds JN-052022-5602908. On September 29, 2006, an insurgent threw a grenade onto a rooftop where Monsoor and several other SEALs and Iraqi soldiers were positioned. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. 2nd Zumwalt-class destroyer christened in honor of Navy SEAL [1] He enlisted in the United States Navy in 2001 and graduated from Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Training BUD/S class 250 in 2004. The Navy on Saturday christened the guided missile destroyer USS Michael Monsoor (DDG-1001), named in honor of a Navy SEAL who was awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism in Iraq. His valorous conduct, exemplary leadership, and extraordinary self-sacrifice for his fellow service members have earned him the highest respect and gratitude of his fellow SEALs, the Navy, and our nation. An official website of the United States government, VA Vet Center (Supports vets, service members, and their families), Bush Confers Highest Military Decoration on Fallen Navy SEAL, Navy SEAL to Receive Medal of Honor Posthumously, Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. But we are strong. MICHAEL A. MONSOOR Monsoor was the first Navy SEAL to earn the Medal of Honor for actions in Iraq and the second Navy SEAL to receive the award since Sept. 11, 2001. Aviation_Intel. There were so many situations of people who are so moved by his act of charity that they too want to make an act of charity. And every day, brave men continued to push forward, into the fray. Market data provided by Factset. US Navy Seal Mike Monsoor - Awarded the Medal of Honor It's still hard for the men he saved - I would say 100% they feel a sense of guilt. Copyright 2023 Navy SEALs. Mike was one of the bravest men on the battlefield, never allowing the enemy to discourage him. THE ENEMY CONTINUED TO ASSAULT THE ELEMENT, ENGAGING THEM WITH A ROCKET-PROPELLED GRENADE AND SMALL ARMS FIRE. He's heading into his 20th year of service this summer. US Navy Medal of Honor recipient (19812006), Mountain Warfare Training Camp Michael Monsoor, Garden Grove High School Memorial Stadium. And then it just goes on from there, with the building of this ship. 120. How many times? The text of his citation reads: For service as set forth in the following. He wanted him, and to make sure anyone else who wanted to would get home, so he stayed. Fausone: And he gave them a gift, just like he gave a lot of people who have heard the story this gift. [3] His father is of Lebanese and Irish descent, and his mother has Irish ancestry. [14][15], For heroic achievement in connection with combat operations against the enemy as Task Unit Ramadi, Iraq, Combat Advisor for Naval Special Warfare Task Group Arabian Peninsula in Support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM from April to September 2006. Monsoor, a 25-year-old gunner, was killed in the explosion in Ramadi, west of Baghdad. While vigilantly watching for enemy activity, an enemy fighter hurled a hand grenade onto the roof from an unseen location. Element snipers thwarted the enemy's initial attempt by eliminating two insurgents. Thank-you for Michael's service & his and your sacrifices. Click to see a video showing the SEALs' tribute to Monsoor on YouTube. It is my honor to make it for him." Michael the Archangel by Guido Reni, Santa Maria della Concezione, Rome, 1636. As enemy activity increased, Petty Officer Monsoor took position with his machine gun between two teammates on an outcropping of the roof. 'MI5 exists to stop atrocities. TIL during the funeral of Navy SEAL Michael A. Monsoor, every Navy SEAL on the West Coast came to the funeral, took off their golden trident off of there own uniform and slapped it onto his wooden coffin covering the whole coffin in golden tridents. And then he had communications equipment. He continued to provide effective suppressive fire while simultaneously dragging the wounded SEAL to safety. Monica Hellstrm; THE RESCUE Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, Jimmy Chin, John Battsek, P. J. van . Named for a Medal of Honor recipient and Navy SEAL, USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001) will be commissioned Jan. 25. As his Task Unit Commander, I was asked to speak at a ceremony at the Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C., where his parents were presented with the Medal of Honor Flag. Michael just took all that on and he was never one to back down from anything. But then they started to take fire which happened pretty fast, and ultimately, a grenade was thrown on the rooftop. Instead, knowing what the outcome would be, he fell on the grenade to save the others from harm. President Bush Attends Medal of Honor Ceremony for Petty Officer Then you read about these guys in the story when Michael was in Italy and he was in this waiting pattern to go back to get a second chance. Duval's Top 10 September real estate: Queen's Harbour Colonial goes for $3.5 million. At his funeral in San Diego, California, SEALs lined up on both sides of the route of the pallbearers and loudly slapped gold tridents from their uniforms on the wooden casket as a tribute to their fallen comrade. He attended Dr. Walter C. Ralston Intermediate School and Garden Grove High School in Garden Grove, California and played tight-end on the school's football team, graduating in 1999. I want to hold my nephews and nieces again. Ramadi had been a violent and intense area for a very strong . As suspected, his parents wouldn't have known about it but probably gave them great comfort once they learned. Medal of Honor - Mike Monsoor | Snopes.com Although only . Rose, how did you get involved in helping write and shape this book? He was only the second SEAL to die in Iraq since the war began. Petty Officer Monsoor entered Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training in Coronado, Calif., and subsequently graduated with Class 250 on Sept. 2, 2004 as one of the top performers in his class. In the picture, his brother SEALs are nearbybut Mikey is out front. Medal of Honor - Michael Monsoor's Story | Military.com PO2 (EOD2) Mike Monsoor, a Navy Seal, was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously for jumping on a grenade in Iraq, giving his life to save his fellow Seals. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. [3][5], Monsoor was described as a "quiet professional" and a "fun-loving guy" by those who knew him. And Michael turned all of that away, Jim because he believed in a bigger ideal. He will inspire the crew, just as he inspired his teammates. SAN DIEGO - Zumwalt-class destroyer USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001) held a change of command. MASTER AT ARMS SECOND CLASS, SEA, AIR and LAND All rights reserved. PO2 Michael Anthony Monsoor - Military Hall of Honor One minute of prayer each night-Grass Roots Effort! INSTANTLY AND WITHOUT REGARD FOR HIS OWN SAFETY, HE THREW HIMSELF ONTO THE GRENADE TO ABSORB THE FORCE OF THE EXPLOSION WITH HIS BODY, SAVING THE LIVES OF HIS TWO TEAMMATES. BECOMING COUSTEAU Liz Garbus, Dan Cogan; COW Andrea Arnold, Kat Mansoor; FLEE Jonas Poher Rasmussen. He took a lot on and it says a lot about his character. Mikes gun is at the ready. A mutually supporting SEAL/IA position also killed an enemy fighter during the morning hours. USS Michael Monsoor Commissioning Ceremony Honors Legacy - California A fellow Navy Seal who knew and trained with Monsoor told TruthorFiction.com that he had already earned a Silver Star for Bravery and a Bronze Star for separate acts of valor. Instead, I smile at the Iraqi children when we pass them by. The Moving Funeral of Petty Officer Mike Monsoor-Truth! The reason I learned a little bit about it is my husband is an active-duty SEAL. As Mikes coffin passed, each SEAL, having removed his gold Trident from his uniform, slapped it down embedding the Trident in the wooden coffin. A couple of powerful statements. For those of us who were there, that picture of Mike captures all of this. Give us a little bit about how George is thinking about this, how the rest of the family is thinking about this? He aggressively stabilized each chaotic situation with focused determination and uncanny tactical awareness. He was a loyal friend and exceptional SEAL, and he is sorely missed by his brothers in Task Unit Bravo. This SEAL Was There the Night Chris Kyle Says He 'Knocked Out' Jesse Installation Site Map [12][13], For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy as Platoon Machine Gunner in Sea, Air, Land Team THREE (SEAL-3), Naval Special Warfare Task Group Arabian Peninsula, Task Unit Ramadi, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 9 May 2006. Perry, Tony, "Destroyer To Bear O.C. 230216-NO146-2001GULF OF ADEN (Feb. 16, 2023) Sailors from Republic of Korea Navy ship ROKS Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin (DDH975) assist civilian mariners from France, Feb. 16, 2023. ALTHOUGH ONLY HE COULD HAVE ESCAPED THE BLAST, PETTY OFFICER MONSOOR CHOSE INSTEAD TO PROTECT HIS TEAMMATES. This gun is nicknamed "The Pig" because of its squealing sound and because there's so much force when they're shooting it. Petty Officer Second Class (SEAL) Michael Anthony Monsoor. After BUD/S, he completed advanced SEAL training courses including parachute training at Basic Airborne School, Fort Benning, Ga., cold weather combat training in Kodiak, Alaska, and six months of SEAL Qualification Training in Coronado, graduating in March 2005. Rea: Michael had a crazy deployment and super high tempo operating throughout the whole thing, and then they were finally starting to wind down after about six months. While moving toward extraction, the Iraqi Army and Naval Special Warfare overwatch team received effective enemy automatic weapons fire resulting in one SEAL wounded in action. Michael obviously knew what was going down, as he was operating on this nightly basis. [2] His father also served in the United States military as a Marine. But there was more of a story there. Each time insurgents assaulted his team with small arms fire or rocket propelled grenades, he quickly assessed the situation, determined the best course of action to counter the enemy assaults, and implemented his plan to gain the best tactical advantage. INSTANTLY AND WITHOUT REGARD FOR HIS OWN SAFETY, HE THREW HIMSELF ONTO THE GRENADE TO ABSORB THE FORCE OF THE EXPLOSION WITH HIS BODY, SAVING THE LIVES OF HIS TWO TEAMMATES. During the funeral of Navy SEAL Michael A. Monsoor, every Navy SEAL on the West Coast came to the funeral, took off their golden trident off of their own uniform and slapped it onto his wooden coffin covering the whole coffin in golden tridents. Though he carried himself in a calm and composed fashion, he constantly led the charge to bring the fight to the enemy. It said who Michael Monsoor was, a little bit about him - just a titch - and something went off in my being, and it was like you've got to tell this boy's story. He entered Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training and graduated from Class 250 on September 2, 2004, as one of the top performers in his class. Those chaplains of whatever denomination are doing great work with our men and I was really interested to read that Michael Monsoor, this Medal of Honor recipient, had that kind of relationship with that kind of chaplain when he was in Iraq. May the Lord continue to comfort you. "And when it was all over, the simple wooden coffin had become a gold-plated memorial to a hero who will never be forgotten.. Brave men died or were wounded every day. But, he didn't give up. We're talking to Rose Rea and she wrote the book, "Defend Us in Battle," with George Monsoor who's the father of Navy SEAL Michael Monsoor, who received the Medal of Honor from President George Bush back in 2008 for his actions in 2006 in Iraq. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! [5], During the funeral, as the coffin was moving from the hearse to the grave site, Navy SEALs were lined up forming a column of twos on both sides of the pallbearers' route, with the coffin moving up the center. It was communion, it was Eucharist, it was confession. By his extraordinary guidance, zealous initiative, and total dedication to duty, Petty Officer Monsoor reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. All of the rest of the men, three SEALs, and the Iraqi interpreters, survived because of what Michael did for them willingly. Fact Check: General story of e-mail on sailor's funeral is true Michael Monsoor, a Navy Seal, sacrificed his life for his buddies on Sept 29th. Your parents and family are also remembered, as they too have borne the pain of your absence. He was the ultimate teammate. As enemy activity increased, Petty Officer Monsoor took position with his machine gun between two teammates on an outcropping of the roof. "We were at a SEAL bar in San Diego called McP's, and we were having a wake for one of our guys that just died, I believe it was Michael Monsoor. Can you talk to us a little bit about learning that part of the story, which I suspect his parents knew nothing about when he was over in Iraq? It is the first Navy combat ship named for fallen Master-at-Arms 2nd Class (SEAL) Michael Monsoor, who was posthumously . It is the first Navy combat ship named for fallen Master-at-Arms 2nd Class (SEAL) Michael Monsoor, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions while serving in Ramadi, Iraq, in 2006. A little-known tribute some Navy SEALs gave to a fallen comrade is gaining notice. As we approach the Anniversary of Mikey's sacrifice, I want to tell you about this man. Petty Officer Second Class Michael Anthony Monsoor was born April 5, 1981 in Long Beach, Calif. Michael grew up in Garden Grove, Calif., as the third of four children of George and Sally Monsoor. Immediately, Monsoor yelled "Grenade!" It is a city devastated by war. I served with him in the Military and I can tell you that he was humble and would do just about anything asked of him to help. He's such a cool dude, he's so masculine, so strong, and he was there. Home Haller Motorworx & Farm Equipment Magazine, AR 479 969-6464. You tell the story of Michael improving himself and getting through BUD/S. I love my country, my fellow SEALs, and the men fighting alongside us. Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael A. Monsoor, 25, Garden Grove; Navy SEAL MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT MICHAEL P. MURPHY - Navy Ex-Navy SEAL Jocko Willink: Remembering Michael Monsoor, who was killed The unit symbol is composed of Petty Officer Monsoor's Medal of Honor, SEAL Trident, and Master-at-Arms shield. They fought in 35 heated firefights; during these incidents Mike shot tens of thousands of 7.62 millimeter rounds to cover Delta Platoon's movement through streets that seemed to be paved with fire. Due to expected enemy action, the officer in charge repositioned him with his automatic heavy machine gun in the direction of the enemy's most likely avenue of approach. As I look at this picture, I hear a voice in a humble but confident tone. But George got to talk to Michael and tell him, "Hey, don't be a hero" and Michael responded, "I have no regrets." Multiple times that we shared in the book. The Early Years. Faith conquers all. and jumped onto the grenade, covering it with his body. The Moving Funeral of Petty Officer Mike Monsoor-Truth! 810773e545 - United States Department of State Lt. Michael P. Murphy, fondly referred to by friends and family as "Murph," was born May 7, 1976 in Smithtown, N.Y. and grew up in the New York City commuter town . And Jesse Ventura was in thereI was at the other end of the bar, but he said something kind of derogatory toward us losing guys or whatever and . While the SEALs vigilantly watched for enemy activity, an insurgent threw a hand grenade from an unseen location, which bounced off Petty Officer Monsoor's chest and landed in front of him. The ship honors Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Monsoor, a Navy SEAL who . The grenade hit Monsoor in the chest before falling to the ground. Master-at-Arms 2nd Class (SEAL) Michael A. Monsoor was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for diving onto a grenade to save his teammates in Ar Ramadi, Iraq, on September 29, 2006. You quit. In September 2006, Michael laid down his life for his brothers in arms. A Navy SEAL sacrificed his life to save his comrades by throwing himself on top of a grenade Iraqi insurgents tossed into their sniper hideout, fellow members of the elite . The grenade exploded seconds later and Monsoor's body absorbed most of the force of the blast. On April 8, 2008, Master at Arms, 2nd Class Michael Anthony Monsoor (4/5/81 to 09/29/06) , a Navy EOD Technician, was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously for jumping on a grenade . Live Well Plan Well Rest Well A half day breakfast seminar on Saturday March 18th, 2023, at the . This was a fitting send-off for a warrior hero. A relationship through how much they loved each other and then this brotherly love which ultimately grows and grows and then at the end, but after you saw how much he cared about his fellow squadmates didn't it almost make sense at the end as devastating as it was. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael A. Monsoor had been near the only door to the rooftop structure Sept. 29 when the grenade hit him in the chest and bounced to the floor, said four SEALs who spoke to The Associated Press this week on condition of anonymity because their work requires their identities to remain secret. The first, USS Zumwalt, is named after Elmo R. Zumwalt Jr., chief of naval operations from 1970 to 1974. The four had been working with Iraqi soldiers providing sniper security while U.S. and Iraqi forces conducted missions in the area. All rights reserved. USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001) - Navy Monsoor died on Sept. 29, 2006, and was buried in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego. [5][6], Monsoor enlisted in the United States Navy on March 24, 2001, and attended Basic Training at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, Illinois. I thought that was just so powerful. And from a mother's perspective, it's heartbreaking. We've talked a little bit about the reaction to this sacrifice, but does the family feel that the sacrifice going forward in a ripple effect, will that continue to go forward? This story is so incredible so it really gives people a perspective and a glimpse into who was this boy that made this split-second decision that changed lives forever. [5][6], A grenade was thrown onto the rooftop by an insurgent on the street below. Michael A. Monsoor Obituary - Death Notice and Service Information Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines, fighting together. Able to work in a promising business revenue and product pipeline organization. His face is calm, almost smilingdespite the obvious chaos and danger around him. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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