He immediately leapt to his feet and yelled "grenade" to alert his teammates of impending danger, but they could not evacuate the sniper Weve updated the security on the site. He was a member of the elite branch of the Navy called SEALS, which stands for SEa, Air and Land. Michael Monsoor was immediately evacuated to a battalion aid station. He aggressively stabilized each chaotic situation with focused determination and uncanny tactical awareness. This is a carousel with slides. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. He is survived by his mother Sally, his father George, his sister Sara, and his two brothers James and Joseph. 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. His fellow soldiers told how he frequently attended mass with devotion before his operations. (U.S. Navy photo Mass Communication. After further training If you notice a problem with the translation, please send a message to [emailprotected] and include a link to the page and details about the problem. Instead, I smile at the Iraqi children when we pass them by. MASTER AT ARMS SECOND CLASS, SEA, AIR and LANDMICHAEL A. MONSOOR Failed to report flower. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Monsoor was protecting other SEALs, two of whom were 15 feet away from him. Monsoor's story was covered by several media outlets, including Fox News and The Los Angeles Times. He has an older brother James and older sister Sara, and a younger brother Joseph. MASTER-AT-ARMS SECOND CLASS (SEA, AIR AND LAND) MICHAEL A. MONSOOR, MA2 MICHAEL A. MONSOOR, USN with sailors on his tour. As a communicator and machine-gunner on patrols, Monsoor carried 100 pounds (45kg) of gear in temperatures often exceeding 100 degrees. His sacrifice has not gone unnoticed. Death is everywhere. As we trained and prepared to deploy to Iraq, everyone learned that Mike was an incredible person. To use this feature, use a newer browser. [5], During an engagement on May 9, 2006, Monsoor ran into a street while under continuous insurgent gunfire to rescue an injured comrade. 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 email does not appear to be a valid email address. I know these grunts are not just Soldiers and Marines, but fathers and brothers and sons. He had been near the only exit to the rooftop when the grenade hit him in the chest and bounced to the floor. I am Michael Monsoor and I have given everythingFor you!. The text of his citation reads: For service as set forth in the following. [19], There is a U.S. As we approach the Anniversary of Mikey's sacrifice, I want to tell you about this man. Monsoor died about 30 minutes later from wounds caused by the grenade explosion. Check out Military.com's original video series today. At point-blank range, it couldn't miss. [1] He enlisted in the United States Navy in 2001 and graduated from Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Training BUD/S class 250 in 2004. He aggressively stabilized each chaotic situation with focused determination and uncanny tactical awareness. You can view a video about Monsoor, which includes scenes of the trident pin tribute, at tinyurl.com/5v49yg. On September 29, 2006, an insurgent threw a grenade onto a rooftop where Monsoor and several other SEALs and Iraqi soldiers were positioned. His funeral took place in October 12, 2006 at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego.Other Navy SEALs lined the procession and slapped the trident devices from their uniforms to affix them onto the casket. 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. Although nothing can adequately prepare one for such a circumstance, Michael Monsoor seemed to be living a life which pointed to it. This act of valor is based on Michael Monsoor's unselfish act that saved his teammates lives and saw him posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. In the early afternoon, enemy fighters attacked his position with automatic weapons fire from a moving vehicle. 190126-N-XN177-1481 SAN DIEGO (Jan. 26, 2019) The crew of the Zumwalt-class guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001) brings the ship to life during its commissioning ceremony, Jan. 26, 2019. As enemy activity increased, Petty Officer Monsoor took position with his machine gun between two teammates on an outcropping of the roof. Instead, he dropped onto the grenade to shield the others from the blast. Immediately, Monsoor yelled "Grenade!" and jumped onto the grenade, covering it with his body. AS ENEMY ACTIVITY INCREASED, PETTY OFFICER MONSOOR TOOK POSITION WITH HIS MACHINE GUN BETWEEN TWO TEAMMATES ON AN OUTCROPPING OF THE ROOF. cemeteries found in San Diego, San Diego County, California, USA will be saved to your photo volunteer list. After further training he was assigned to Delta Platoon, SEAL Team 3. October 14, 2019 | Fort Sam Houston, TX. GULF OF OMAN (April 30, 2023) Ensign Nicole Bucci executes a takedown during self-defense training aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60), April 30, 2023, in the Gulf of Oman. His selfless, decisive, heroic actions resulted in 25 enemy killed and saved the lives of his teammates, other Coalition Forces and Iraqi Army soldiers. A mutually supporting SEAL/IA position also killed an enemy fighter during the morning hours. [3] His father is of Lebanese and Irish descent, and his mother has Irish ancestry. Positioned near the only exit, with an MK 48 machine gun in hand, he was providing security for two SEAL snipers who lay in prone positions on either side of him. 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. 1995 - 2023 by Snopes Media Group Inc. A reception will be held on Thursday, May 4th 2023 from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM at the Eagle Hall at St. John. 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. I love my country, my fellow SEALs, and the men fighting alongside us. THE ENEMY CONTINUED TO ASSAULT THE ELEMENT, ENGAGING THEM WITH A ROCKET-PROPELLED GRENADE AND SMALL ARMS FIRE. [18], A SEAL training facilitylocated about 50 miles (80km) east of San Diegowas renamed Mountain Warfare Training Camp Michael Monsoor. hide-sight in time to escape harm. If you are proud too, please pass this on. Monsoor was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, which was presented by President George W. Bush to Monsoor's parents on April 8, 2008. Collectively it weighed more than 100 pounds. Family members linked to this person will appear here. Monsoor, a 25-year-old gunner, was killed in the explosion in Ramadi, west of Baghdad. 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. He remained fearless while facing constant danger, and through his selfless nature and aggressive actions, saved the lives of coalition soldiers and his fellow SEALs. Through this ship: Michael Monsoor will still represent the very best our country has to offer. [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. ", 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. 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. All rights reserved. He also knew that he was two short weeks away from returning home to family and friends. Monsoor died on Sept. 29, 2006, and was buried in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego. 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. Add to your scrapbook. As the coffin passed, video shows each SEAL slapping down the gold Trident from his uniform and deeply embedding it in Monsoor's wooden coffin. You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. As a tribute to Saint Michael the Archangel, who he felt was there with them, he included the short exorcism which invokes the warrior angel to be our protection against wickedness., Such protection was sorely needed especially considering that 75% of the missions involving Michaels platoon came under attack. Petty Officer Michael A. Monsoor, United States Navy, distinguished himself through conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a Combat Advisor and Automatic Weapons Gunner for Naval Special Warfare Task Group Arabian Peninsula in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom on 29 September 2006. 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. I have not looked back. This account has been disabled. 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. Petty Officer Monsoor's actions could not have been more selfless or clearly intentional. A warship that proudly bears his name. The grenade exploded seconds later and Monsoor's body absorbed most of the force of the blast. He was a member of the elite branch of the Navy called SEALS, which stands for SEa, Air and Land. His funeral, attended (in the words of President Bush) by "nearly every SEAL on the West Coast," was held on 12 October 2006 at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego. This was a fitting send-off for a warrior hero. 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. [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]. For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. [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. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? 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. 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 burial will be held on Wednesday, May 3rd 2023 at the King David Memorial Gardens (7482 Lee Hwy, Falls Church, VA 22042). 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. The Mountain Warfare Training Facility Camp Michael Monsoor is located 50 miles east of San Diego, near the city of Campo. He displayed great personal courage and exceptional bravery while conducting operations in enemy held territory at Ar Ramadi Iraq. ), 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.". An emotional Donald Winter quoted a passage from scripture already remembered by so many to describe Michael Monsoor. 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. Mike had a clear chance to escape, but he realized that the other two SEALs did not. During the first five months of deployment, that platoon from Team 3 was assigned to Camp Corregidor on the east side of Ramadi, led by then-Lieutenant Seth Stone, who also earned the Silver Star for his own actions on the same September 29, 2006 operation. Iraq War Medal of Honor Recipient. Oops, we were unable to send the email. 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. On Saint Michael's Day, September 29, 2006, Michael Monsoor would make the ultimate sacrifice. When an insurgent's . Joan Elizabeth Brennan Donnelly, passed into the perpetual light on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, in her home. 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. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Salvation Army . Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. STEVE INSKEEP, host: The White House is about to bestow the highest military award on a Navy SEAL from Southern California. 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. Particularly a Military Funeral, held at a Military Cemetary. The Catholic Offensive Against the Franc How the Ultramontane Newspaper LUnivers Marguerite Bourgeoys: The Story of a Tea TFP Rosary Campaign to Restore America Blog, http://www.navy.mil/moh/Monsoor/bronze.pdf, http://www.blackfive.net/main/2008/04/us-navy-seal-mi.html, http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,116817,00.html, http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/2006608/posts?page=5. Michael Monsoor is a hero for all the world to know about and appreciate. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. [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. 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. 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. 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 . Some of details in the email are inaccurate.Petty Officer Second Class Mike Monsoor was a US Navy SEAL assigned to Task Unit Bravo in Ar Ramadi in Iraq. (U.S.. As I look at this picture, Lt. Willink said, I hear a voice in a humble but confident tone.. Monsoor died approximately 30 minutes later from wounds sustained from the blast. Thanks for your help! At his Oct. 12 funeral, as the e-mail states, Navy SEALs took their trident pins and pounded them into the top of the casket. On May 9, 2006 Mike rescued a SEAL who was shot in the leg. For his heroism he was awarded the Bronze Star. WHAT RUDDERLESS MILLENNIALS COULD LEARN FROM NAVY SEAL MICHAEL MONSOOR -- WHO GAVE HIS LIFE FOR OTHERS. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. 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. After loading his wounded teammate onto an evacuation vehicle, he returned to the battle. Fr. Monsoor was born April 5, 1981, in Long Beach, California, the third of four children of Sally Ann (Boyle) and George Paul Monsoor. 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. I met Mike Monsoor when he checked into SEAL Team Three as a new, highly-motivated young frogman. Instead I smile at the Iraqi children when we pass them by. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. He ran out into the street with another SEAL, shot cover fire and dragged his comrade to safety while enemy bullets kicked up the concrete at their feet. Snopes and the Snopes.com logo are registered service marks of Snopes.com. I am Michael Monsoor, I love my country, my fellow SEALS and the men fighting along side us I have lived life to its fullest. Your parents and family are also remembered, as they too have borne the pain of your absence. The grenade detonated as he came down on top of it, mortally wounding him. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. When we encounter Iraqi families I treat them with respect and dignity. [1] He enlisted in the United States Navy in 2001 and graduated from Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Training BUD/S class 250 in 2004. 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. Each time I read of Michael's sacrifice I'm so amazed & heartbroken. In April 2006 he was sent to Iraq on his first tour of duty. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Flowers added to the memorial appear on the bottom of the memorial or here on the Flowers tab. He was the ultimate teammate. The SEALs fired back and stood their ground. There was an error deleting this problem. His sacrifice has not gone unnoticed. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. The citation accompanying the medal describes how he exposed himself to heavy enemy fire while shielding his teammates with suppressive fire. Joan was born in Port Chester, New York on June 9, 1942 to the late John Edward .