Thank-you again for Michael's service and your sacrifice. It was an appropriate position for a Catholic young man named after the warrior angel, Saint Michael. Get email updates about Michael A. Monsoor delivered directly to your inbox. Obituary. Failed to delete memorial. As Mike's coffin passed, each SEAL, having removed his gold Trident from his uniform, slapped it down embedding the Trident in the wooden coffin. Try again later. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! On that day, Monsoor was part of a sniper overwatch security position with three other SEALs and eight Iraqi Army (IA) soldiers. October 14, 2019 | Fort Sam Houston, TX. [7] After BUD/S, he completed advanced SEAL training courses including parachute training at Basic Airborne School, cold weather combat training in Kodiak, Alaska, and six months of SEAL Qualification Training in Coronado, California, graduating in March 2005. But we are strong. As for his family, please accept my deepest sympathy. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Are you sure that you want to delete this flower? I know these grunts are not just Soldiers and Marines, but fathers and brothers and sons. For these actions, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. 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. Navy Destroyers Sport Large Satcom Domes On Their Flight Decks For Big On the last day of his life, on a rooftop in Ramadi, Navy SEAL Michael A. Monsoor was assigned to protect three SEAL snipers. The picture shows Michael walking at the head of his platoon, through the war-torn streets of Ramadi. Leave a sympathy message to the family in the guestbook on this memorial . An emotional Donald Winter quoted a passage from scripture already remembered by so many to describe Michael Monsoor. If you are proud too, please pass this on. ), As President George W. Bush said of the event during the April 2008 Medal of Honor ceremony, "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.". Medal of Honor - Michael Monsoor's Story | Military.com IN THE EARLY MORNING, INSURGENTS PREPARED TO EXECUTE A COORDINATED ATTACK BY RECONNOITERING THE AREA AROUND THE ELEMENT'S POSITION. 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. Delta Platoon executed a broad spectrum of combat operations in and around Ramadi. Paul Anthony Halladay, his platoon chaplain, was with Michael as he passed away approximately 30 minutes later. He is survived by his mother Sally, his father George, his sister Sara, and his two brothers James and Joseph. To me, they're worth dying for, because there's a bond between brothers, and that bond transcends blood. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. In May of 2006, during his first month in Iraq, his unit came under fire during counter-terrorist operations. He continued to provide effective suppressive fire while simultaneously dragging the wounded SEAL to safety. I miss my mother, my father, my sister, and my brothers. The trident is a U.S. Navy special warfare badge worn by SEALs. This is a carousel with slides. Most notably, the Army Infantry, Navy SEAL and Iraqi Army combined force helped to pacify the most violent city in Al Anbar province setting conditions for the Sunni Awakening. As we approach the Anniversary of Mikey's sacrifice, I want to tell you about this man. The grenade hit Monsoor in the chest and fell onto the floor. Forrest Vosler received the Medal of Honor for saving the life of another airman despite his catastrophic President Joe Biden on Thursday presented the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military award for valor in combat Jon and Andrew Erwin's grandfather Henry Eugene "Red" Erwin, Sr. was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his President Joe Biden presents the Medal of Honor to retired Army Col. Ralph Puckett Jr. for conspicuous gallantry during Charles H. Coolidge passed away April 6, 2021 at the age of 99. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. Instead, he dropped onto the grenade to shield the others from the blast. In April 2008, Michael Monsoor (who had already been posthumously awarded the Silver Star for his actions in a 9 May 2006 incident, when he and another SEAL pulled a wounded team member to safety amidst gunfire) was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. ", Army Ranger Legend Ralph Puckett Receives Medal of Honor, World War II Hero Charles Coolidge Receives Medal of Honor in 1945, Crews Work to Save WWII Ship Taking on Water, See the Final 'Top Gun: Maverick' Trailer, War Crimes Watch: She's Working to Make Putin Pay, Sniper Videos, Sniper Rifles, Sniper Kills: The Best of the Best. Summary of eRumor: The eRumor describes the funeral of Navy petty officer Mike Monsoor, who lost is own life in Iraq to save the lives of other Navy SEALs. English [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. A burial will be held on Wednesday, May 3rd 2023 at the King David Memorial Gardens (7482 Lee Hwy, Falls Church, VA 22042). Petty Officer 2nd Class Monsoor sacrificed his life to save his comrades by throwing himself on top of a grenade that Iraqi insurgents tossed into their sniper hideout. Her life was, by any reasonable measure, marred by tragedy, yet she maintained a quiet strength and an amazing sense of humor that kept her at peace. ELEMENT SNIPERS THWARTED THE ENEMY'S INITIAL ATTEMPT BY ELIMINATING TWO INSURGENTS. After the engagements, the local populace blocked off the roads in the area with rocks to keep civilians away and to warn insurgents of the presence of his Coalition sniper element. He immediately leapt to his feet and yelled "grenade" to alert his teammates of impending danger, but they could not evacuate the sniper Oops, we were unable to send the email. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. His mother, Sally, when visiting him, said he hardly ever stopped running. Petty Officer Second Class (SEAL) Michael A. Monsoor will receive the Medal of Honor posthumously in a ceremony at the White House April 8, 2008. The video, however, shows that the casket was stationary, and the SEALs placed the pins on the casket, then pounded them into the wood. In the morning, his team observed four enemy fighters armed with AK-47s reconnoitering from roads in the sector to conduct follow-on attacks. PO2 Michael Anthony Monsoor - Military Hall of Honor He carried the extra 100 lbs, without complaint, in temperatures as high as 130 degrees. For service as set forth in the following CITATION: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Automatic Weapons Gunner for Naval Special Warfare Task Group Arabian Peninsula, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 29 September 2006. . Monsoor, a 25-year-old gunner, was killed in the explosion in Ramadi, west of Baghdad. This should be front-page news instead of the crap we see everyday. ALTHOUGH ONLY HE COULD HAVE ESCAPED THE BLAST, PETTY OFFICER MONSOOR CHOSE INSTEAD TO PROTECT HIS TEAMMATES. SEAL's Name", Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Training, jumped onto the grenade, covering it with his body, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia, United States Department of Veterans Affairs, "Complications Grow for Muslims Serving in U.S. Military", "Sailor Killed in Iraq Awarded Medal of Honor", "A Fitting Tribute to a Slain Navy SEAL Gains Attention", "Medal of Honor for Navy Officer in Iraq", "President Bush Attends Medal of Honor Ceremony for Petty Officer Michael A. Monsoor, U.S. Navy", "U.S. Navy Recipients of the Silver Medal for Actions Since September 11, 2001", "Monsoor Avenue, Krulak Way at new vets cemetery", "SECNAV Names New Zumwalt-Class Destroyer USS Michael Monsoor", "Department of the Navy Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 Budget Estimates Justification of Estimates February 2018", "Dedication event for Monsoor Stadium set", "Garden Grove High School dedicates new stadium in honor of fallen war hero", "Navy SEAL who sacrificed life for team honored at school in Southern California", "Navy SEAL's sacrifice earns Medal of Honor", "Pentagon-sourced video clip of White House ceremony honoring Petty Officer Second Class (SEAL) Michael A. Monsoor", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Michael_A._Monsoor&oldid=1146745939, This page was last edited on 26 March 2023, at 18:28. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. 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 lined up in two columns to slap and embed the gold Tridents (a pin, pictured above, awarded for successful completion of SEAL Qualification Training) from their uniforms onto the top of Monsoor's coffin: (We believe the photograph of the coffin displayed above was actually taken at the funeral of fellow SEAL James Suh, who gave his life in Afghanistan on 28 June 2005. 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. He then reentered a grueling SEAL program where only 23% pass, graduated at the top in the class of 2005 and was assigned to Delta Platoon. [2] His father also served in the United States military as a Marine. Nimitz is in U.S. 7th Fleet conducting routine operations. The unit symbol is composed of Petty Officer Monsoor's Medal of Honor, SEAL Trident, and Master-at-Arms shield. Like most fighting ships, its namesake will be woven into . Example: [Collected via e-mail, July 2008]. Are you sure that you want to delete this photo? based on information from your browser. Death is everywhere. Faith conquers all. 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. In the picture, his brother SEALs are nearbybut Mikey is out front. Michael Monsoor is a hero for all the world to know about and appreciate. During the Battle of Ramadi, SEAL Team Three was sent to Ramadi, Iraq in April 2006 and assigned to train Iraqi Army soldiers. Michael enlisted in the U.S. Navy March 21, 2001, and attended Basic Training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. The grenade hit Monsoor in the chest and fell onto the floor. As enemy activity increased, Petty Officer Monsoor took position with his machine gun between two teammates on an outcropping of the roof. He immediately leapt to his feet and yelled "grenade" to alert his teammates of impending danger, but they could not evacuate the sniper hide-sight in time to escape harm. He will receive the award for his actions in Ar Ramadi, Iraq on Sept. 29, 2006. Add to your scrapbook. It is obviously very humbling to be here today, as it was humbling to be on the battlefield of Ramadi with my fellow SEALs and 2/28 Brigade Combat Team, the Iron Soldiers, and then 1/1 AD, the Ready First Combat Team, which was formed up by our brothers from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines and included such hallowed units as the 1st of the 506th Band of brothers, the 1-37 Bandits, and the 3/8 Marines. He placed him in a small, confined sniper hide-sight between two SEAL snipers on an outcropping of the roof, which allowed the three SEALs maximum coverage of the area. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. In the first phase of training, he broke his heel. Everyone in the unit knows Petty Officer Michael A. Monsoor's career history and shares it with all new cadets. Without hesitation and showing no regard for his own life, he threw himself onto the grenade, smothering it to protect his teammates who were lying in close proximity. [5][6], A grenade was thrown onto the rooftop by an insurgent on the street below. 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 (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Peter Burghart/Released). Instead I smile at the Iraqi children when we pass them by. Black Vietnam Vet Finally Awarded Medal of Honor, The Bravery of Medal of Honor Recipient Tech Sgt. FOR CONSPICUOUS GALLANTRY AND INTREPIDITY AT THE RISK OF HIS LIFE ABOVE AND BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY AS AUTOMATIC WEAPONS GUNNER FOR NAVAL SPECIAL WARFARE TASK GROUP ARABIAN PENINSULA, IN SUPPORT OF OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM ON 29 SEPTEMBER 2006. On March 31, 2008, the United States Department of Defense confirmed that Monsoor would posthumously receive the Medal of Honor. Monsoor died on Sept. 29, 2006, and was buried in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego. BY HIS UNDAUNTED COURAGE, FIGHTING SPIRIT, AND UNWAVERING DEVOTION TO DUTY IN THE FACE OF CERTAIN DEATH, PETTY OFFICER MONSOOR GALLANTLY GAVE HIS LIFE FOR HIS COUNTRY, THEREBY REFLECTING GREAT CREDIT UPON HIMSELF AND UPHOLDING THE HIGHEST TRADITIONS OF THE UNITED STATES NAVAL SERVICE. Learn more about merges. Petty Officer Monsoor was the Platoon Machine Gunner of an overwatch element, providing security for an Iraqi Army Brigade during counter-insurgency operations. Aviation_Intel. Penned together, all five were easy prey for the grenade's deadly spray of shrapnel. In April 2006 he was sent to Iraq on his first tour of duty. [3] His father is of Lebanese and Irish descent, and his mother has Irish ancestry. I try to honor his life and death by remembering his example and trying to emulate it because even when he was faced with some of the least September 22, 2018 | Arlington, WA | Military. Monsoor was protecting other SEALs, two of whom were 15 feet away from him. Immediately, Monsoor yelled "Grenade!" . The Zumwalt class stealth destroyer USS Michael Monsoor spotted leaving San Diego on April 20, 2021, with a large satellite communications dome on its rear flight deck., @cjr1321 via @Warshipcam . (U.S. Navy photo Mass Communication. President's 13 Year Old Daughter Spent Spring Break in Mexico-Truth. Times Staff Writer. Your parents and family are also remembered, as they too have borne the pain of your absence. Michael A. Monsoor - Wikipedia 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. A brotherhood bound by sweat and blood and tears. All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. Please enter your email and password to sign in.
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