I love my country, my fellow SEALs, and the men fighting alongside us. Michael Monsoor was there in the midst of it all. Fausone: Another person in the book that I think reflects Michael's character is Father Halladay. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class Demitrius J. Williams). Two SEALs next to Monsoor were injured; another who was 10 to 15 feet from the blast was unhurt. After further training he was assigned to Delta Platoon, SEAL Team Three. 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. 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 Navy has its own traditions. But George got to talk to Michael and tell him, "Hey, don't be a hero" and Michael responded, "I have no regrets." The future USS Michael Monsoor, named for Michael Monsoor, a Navy SEAL who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in Ramadi, Iraq, on September. Commander, Navy Installations Command | 716 Sicard Street SE Suite 1000 | Washington DC, 20374-5140 Official U.S. Navy Website Installations. George Monsoor (Michael's father) and Rose Rea detail in their book, "Defend Us in Battle", Michael had prepared for this selfless act his whole life - a life that inspires us to have a similar generosity of heart. 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. [16], In 2011, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs honored Monsoor by naming one of the first three named streets at Miramar National Cemetery after him. On April 8, 2008, Monsoor was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously officiated by President George W. Bush in a ceremony at the White House . 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. 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. Rea: Yeah. : USS Michael Monsoor DDG-1001 2. Instead, Monsoor chose to protect his comrades by the sacrifice of his own life. ELEMENT SNIPERS THWARTED THE ENEMY'S INITIAL ATTEMPT BY ELIMINATING TWO INSURGENTS. Ismaili community leaders continued to report concerns about what they called the exclusion of Ismailis from other positions of political authority. This gun is nicknamed "The Pig" because of its squealing sound and because there's so much force when they're shooting it. Because there is nothing more important to me than my family. Ramadi at the time was the epicenter of the insurgency in Iraq, a city filled with peril. It is heart breaking to hear that, he is gone. The name of Petty Officer Michael Anthony Monsoor will now be among them. It showed Mike and his platoon mates in the war-torn streets of Ramadi, shrouded in a mist of greenish-yellow smoke, which was used to mask their movement from the enemy. 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. He took a lot on and it says a lot about his character. Market data provided by Factset. All of the older guys get fun jobs. In April 2008, Michael Monsoor . They flew him back over to do the honors. Exactly with that weapon, he was providing cover fire. Naval Amphibious Base Coronado. As enemy activity increased, Petty Officer Monsoor took position with his machine gun between two teammates on an outcropping of the roof. Once he and his men established a sniper overwatch position, he deftly transitioned to his role as a SEAL communicator calling in tank support and transmitting enemy situation reports to the 1-506 PIR Commander. And then, as you know, at the end of the book who says that powerful prayer at the end, who's able to be there and the huge commissioning of bringing his ship to life but Father Paul Halladay. Not out of any sort of reason other than just letting us be. Michael Monsoor, a Navy Seal, sacrificed his life for his buddies on Sept 29th. Regional exposure by managing/leading projects by handling projects. Rea: I think that is one of my favorite parts because even thinking about writing those words. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Monsoor was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, which was presented by President George W. Bush to Monsoor's parents on April 8, 2008. Hi, I was a volunteer at the Bob Hope USO @ LAX for ten years and currently on occasion volunteer at the USO in San Diego. Dunbar, Monsoor, SEALS, Monsoor funeral. By his bold initiative, undaunted courage, and complete dedication to duty, Petty Officer Monsoor reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. I know because my father and brother were also gruntsproud Marine riflemen. During Mike Monsoors funeral in San Diego, as his coffin was being moved from the hearse to the grave site at Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery, SEALs were lined up on both sides of the pallbearers route forming a column of twos, with the coffin moving up the center. During combat patrols he walked behind the platoon point man with his Mk 48 machinegun so that he could protect his platoon from a frontal enemy attack. He was Catholic and he found this incredible priest. 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. I met Mike Monsoor when he checked into SEAL Team Three as a new, highly-motivated young frogman. An insurgent closed in and threw a fragmentation grenade into the overwatch position. I miss my mother, my father, my sister, and my brothers. We all hit those challenges in life and it's so easy to ring the bell which you do to get out of the BUD/S and SEAL training. Forever the May Queen . He was only the second SEAL to die in Iraq since the war began. Named for a Medal of Honor recipient and Navy SEAL, USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001) will be commissioned Jan. 25. In the book, "Defend Us in Battle: The True Story of MA2 Navy SEAL Medal of Honor Recipient Michael A. Monsoor". Again, a great story about a terrific young man who made the ultimate sacrifice for his mates - a selfless act. Anticipating further attacks, Monsoor, three SEAL snipers and three Iraqi Army soldiers took up a rooftop position. 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. He went back. Petty Officer Second Class Michael Anthony Monsoor was born April 5, 1981 in Long Beach, Calif. Michael . Monsoor was born April 5, 1981, in Long Beach, California, the third of four children of Sally Ann (Boyle) and George Paul Monsoor. Over the next five months, Monsoor and his platoon frequently engaged in combat with insurgent forces. Sally recently passed away, and they were married for 49 years, so that is very heartbreaking. Delta Platoon was sent to Iraq in April 2006 and assigned to train Iraqi Army soldiers in Ramadi. And his story offers some perspective on the long war in Iraq and the chaos there today. And then from George and Sally's perspective, knowing bits and pieces people do know. [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. Exploit isn't the right word - that happens right? 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. He will receive the award for his actions in Ar Ramadi, Iraq on Sept. 29, 2006. President Bush presents the Medal of Honor to Sally and George Monsoor, parents of Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Monsoor, during an East Room ceremony on Tuesday. One of the lessons here that I think folks learned, and it's kind of interesting, is Michael had asthma as a kid and had to overcome all the medical challenges that go through childhood when you can't breathe when you have an asthma problem. Lieutenant Commander Jocko Willink, Navy SEAL. Petty Officer Michael A. Monsoor was killed in battle in Iraq in September 2006, and posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in April. Aviation_Intel. When we encounter Iraqi families, I treat them with respect and dignity. Ahead of the ceremony, Master-At-Arms 2nd Cl. It's not always a religious thing, sometimes it's just that you have somebody safe you can express your fears with. May the Lord continue to comfort you. So it just marries together so many wonderful stories and memories. He has a grateful nation forever in his debt! 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 . Monsoor described as an "outgoing guy" by his grandfather, George Monsoor, Sr. was killed on Sept. 29, 2006. His funeral in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego was attended by nearly every SEAL on the West Coast, President Bush said. 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. Over the years, many who have received the medal have given their lives in the action that earned it. They were providing overwatch security while joint and combined forces were conducting missions in the area. One minute of prayer each night-Grass Roots Effort! At his Oct. 12 funeral, as the e-mail states, Navy SEALs took their trident pins and pounded them . The SEALs fired back and stood their ground. Naval Air Station North Island. Sally Monsoor, mother of Michael Monsoor and the ship's sponsor, is escorted on stage during the commissioning ceremony for the guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Monsoor (DDG-1001) on Jan. 26 . Monica Hellstrm; THE RESCUE Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, Jimmy Chin, John Battsek, P. J. van . He is survived by his parents, an older sister and two brothers. [19], There is a U.S. The grenade hit Monsoor in the chest before falling to the ground. Immediately, Monsoor yelled "Grenade!" He was 25-year-old Michael Monsoor. Let's let certain things be, right? They were down below, I think they're reinforcing some fencing with security measures and whatnot and then Michael and the other SEALs were on rooftops. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. On that day, Monsoor was part of a sniper overwatch security position with three other SEALs and eight Iraqi Army (IA) soldiers. The sad thing is that Michael was ready to die at any time and I'm sure a lot of those guys were, Jim. or redistributed. PHILIPPINE SEA (Sept. 5, 2020) Seaman Davon Ramos, from New York, looks through binoculars while standing watch on the port bridge wing aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Comstock (LSD 45) during a vertical replenishment with Henry J. Kaiser-class fleet replenishment oiler USNS John Ericsson (T-AO 194) and the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Regan (CVN 76). For this brave action, he earned a Silver Star. [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. 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. Mike and his fellow SEALs accounted for 84 enemy fighters killed in action and the detainment of numerous insurgents. The thing is, for these boys who served with Michael, this matters to them, too, because their children want to know who Uncle Mikey was. Rea: Well, they're super private, so even the children are not a big fan of media and they didn't want to really be involved in this book at the time. A couple of hours later, an insurgency fighter closed on the overwatch position and threw a fragment grenade into the overwatch position which hit Monsoor in the chest before falling in front of him. His sacrifice has not gone unnoticed. Figure out what you need to do to get better and get through that challenge. April 5, 1981 - Sept. 29, 2006. Though he carried himself in a calm and composed fashion, he constantly led the charge to bring the fight to the enemy. It was communion, it was Eucharist, it was confession. US Navy Medal of Honor recipient (19812006), Mountain Warfare Training Camp Michael Monsoor, Garden Grove High School Memorial Stadium. He was a member of the elite branch of the Navy called SEALS, which stands for SEa, Air and Land. Michael just took all that on and he was never one to back down from anything. Around midday, the exterior of the building was struck by a single rocket propelled grenade (RPG), but no injuries to any of the overwatch personnel were sustained. Monsoor was protecting other SEALs, two of whom were 15 feet away from him. It was the Army, the first of the 506 Battalion. 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. Being the wife of a SEAL, quitting is the worst thing you can ever do, and Michael quit. 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. Portrait of Medal of Honor recipient Michael Monsoor. The trident is a U.S. Navy special warfare badge worn by SEALs. Fausone: Go ahead and set us up for what happened on September 29, 2006 when Michael and three other snipers were there. 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. There is a lot that goes into naming the ship. This was a fitting send-off for a warrior hero. Surely there is a special place in God's realm for him. 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. The overwatch couldnt tell where the RPG came from and didnt return fire., Read Michael Monsoors Summary of Action for September 29th, 2006. Shortly thereafter, an enemy fighter shot a rocket-propelled grenade at his building. There was only one access point for entry or exit and Monsoor was the only one who could have saved himself from harm. 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. As for his family, please accept my deepest sympathy. 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. On March 31, 2008, the United States Department of Defense confirmed that Monsoor would posthumously receive the Medal of Honor. One of his platoon mates was having a baby. He had this unbreakable little will at such a young age and it was so inspiring. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. BECOMING COUSTEAU Liz Garbus, Dan Cogan; COW Andrea Arnold, Kat Mansoor; FLEE Jonas Poher Rasmussen. Margaret Louise Monsoor, our loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend passed away in her sleep on August 8, 2021. Tell us about this day that will always be remembered. And then he had communications equipment. You had a chance to talk to some of these men. While I only had talked to Monsoor for a brief time in BUD/s, he was in the BUD/s class ahead of me in Class 250, he was a dedicated and stand-up guy. Kirsten Wang. As the coffin passed each SEAL, they slapped down the gold Trident each had removed from his own uniform and deeply embedded it into the wooden coffin. Petty Officer Michael A. Monsoor was killed in battle in Iraq in September 2006, and posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in April. It is my honor to make it for him." This voice says to me: I am patrolling through the streets of Ramadi. 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. President's 13 Year Old Daughter Spent Spring Break in Mexico-Truth. You tell the story of Michael improving himself and getting through BUD/S. [6], On September 29, 2006, Monsoor's platoon engaged four insurgents in a firefight in Ramadi, killing one and injuring another. You record a conversation that George told you he had with Michael. Death is everywhere. Monsoor . All rights reserved. Michael the Archangel by Guido Reni, Santa Maria della Concezione, Rome, 1636. 0:36. 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. Fausone: He was the automatic weapons operator carrying the MK-48 and all that extra weight, there's a responsibility to the other guys because you're carrying that weapon to protect them. The new destroyer is named for Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Monsoor, a Navy SEAL who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his . Fausone: I think again, another very important part because of a mother's concern and pain you sort of mention. Get email updates about Michael A. Monsoor delivered directly to your inbox. His quiet demeanor and dedication to his friends matched the "Silent Warrior" SEAL mentality that was to become his calling in life. Jim Fausone:We want to welcome to Veterans Radio today, Rose Rea. The enemy could not deter Michael and his SEAL platoon. 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. or redistributed. The ship honors Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Monsoor, a Navy SEAL who was posthumously awarded the Medal of . He had been assigned to protect fellow SEALs on a rooftop in Ramadi, Iraq, when a fierce firefight with insurgents broke out. 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. 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. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Rea: It's no small thing. 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. [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. From April to Sept. 29, 2006, Mike served as a heavy weapons machine gunner in Delta Platoon, SEAL Team 3. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. On that day, he was on a rooftop over-watch in . Faced with the choice to save his comrades or save himself, Monsoor threw himself on the grenade, absorbing the impact. His life and unfortunate death are . Monsoor died on Sept. 29, 2006, and was buried in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego. Monsoor yelled, Grenade! and dropped on top of the grenade prior to it exploding. But we fight onfor the men to our left and rightwe fight on. The reason I learned a little bit about it is my husband is an active-duty SEAL. Together, we live in dust and dirt and filth. He really wanted to protect them. 1927-2021. He's such a cool dude, he's so masculine, so strong, and he was there. On September 29, 2006, in the war-torn city of Ramadi, Iraq, Petty Officer Second Class (SEAL) Michael Monsoor, or Mikey as we called him, smothered a grenade with his body to save three of his teammates. Faith conquers all. He will safeguard our families, as he safeguarded his own family. "He never took his eye off the grenade, his only movement was down toward it," said a 28-year-old lieutenant who sustained shrapnel wounds to both legs that day. The hardened enemy was bent on destruction; they fought with ruthlessness, constantly on the attack with machine guns, mortars, grenades, and IEDs. U.S. Navy via Getty Images . He was gifted at everything he did, hard-working, funny, and selfless. To this day, they still blows me away. In the morning, his team observed four enemy fighters armed with AK-47s reconnoitering from roads in the sector to conduct follow-on attacks. The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to. Quote job ref. The first, USS Zumwalt, is named after Elmo R. Zumwalt Jr., chief of naval operations from 1970 to 1974. THE ENEMY CONTINUED TO ASSAULT THE ELEMENT, ENGAGING THEM WITH A ROCKET-PROPELLED GRENADE AND SMALL ARMS FIRE. It represents the three aspects of SEAL special operations, sea, air, and land. The four had been working with Iraqi soldiers providing sniper security while U.S. and Iraqi forces conducted missions in the area. He deployed with his platoon to Iraq in April 2006 in support of OperationIraqi Freedom, and was assigned to Task Unit Bravo in Ar Ramadi. Thank you for all that you are doing to bring awareness to our wonderful veterans. Perry, Tony, "Destroyer To Bear O.C. Words seem insufficient to recognize him as the most honorable, decent, unselfish, brave man who gave his life to save others. In fact, he would continue to agree to do more. [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. [1] He enlisted in the United States Navy in 2001 and graduated from Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Training BUD/S class 250 in 2004. Delta Platoon was sent to . The Moving Funeral of Petty Officer Mike Monsoor-Truth! He was the ultimate teammate. I wasn't just a random person off the street. He graduated in September 2004 and joined SEAL Team 3 in 2005. May the Lord comfort you. All of the rest of the men, three SEALs, and the Iraqi interpreters, survived because of what Michael did for them willingly. We worked hand-in-hand and one by one with his teammates. You had winemakers make a special wine for him. Market data provided by Factset. Just let them have their brother. Upon graduation from basic training, he attended Quartermaster "A" School, and then transferred to Naval Air Station, Sigonella, Italy for a short period of time. On March 31, 2008, the United States Department of Defense confirmed that Monsoor would posthumously receive the Medal of Honor from the president of the United States, George W. Bush, for his valiant and selfless actions to save the lives of his SEAL teammates by sacrificing his own, during combat in Ramadi, Iraq on September 29, 2006. [18], A SEAL training facilitylocated about 50 miles (80km) east of San Diegowas renamed Mountain Warfare Training Camp Michael Monsoor. The new guys still can do some fun things, but for him to step into this role and provide such wonderful, tactical awareness and to do his job so well, it was just a huge, huge testament to him throwing himself in and giving his all. A little-known tribute some Navy SEALs gave to a fallen comrade is gaining notice. Rose Rea: Yes, it is a powerful one. All rights reserved. You had middle school classes want to make videos and learned about his story. Naval Sea Cadet Corps unit named the "Michael A. Monsoor Battalion" based in Camp Pendleton, California. Market data provided by Factset. Lord, protect my brothers above all else. Copyright 2023 Navy SEALs. One of them belongs to Michael Monsoor.

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