He was only the second SEAL to die in Iraq since the war began. It is heart breaking to hear that, he is gone. So I thought it was a nice touch to add that all in. He's such a cool dude, he's so masculine, so strong, and he was there. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions on 29 September 2006. He chose them. And then he had communications equipment. The guys talk about the weight you carry, the extra weight. How many times? Naval Sea Cadet Corps unit named the "Michael A. Monsoor Battalion" based in Camp Pendleton, California. 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. 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). 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. He's heading into his 20th year of service this summer. [11] Monsoor became the fourth American servicemember and second Navy SEAL each killed in the line of duty to receive the United States' highest military award during the War on Terrorism. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. His quiet demeanor and dedication to his friends matched the "Silent Warrior" SEAL mentality that was to become his calling in life. 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. Kirsten Wang. 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. There was only one access point for entry or exit and Monsoor was the only one who could have saved himself from harm. Rea: It did after and he was able to say that to them when they met him after he had passed away. 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 . On September 29, 2006, Ramadi, Iraq was considered the most dangerous city on planet earth for American servicemen. Navy Narrative: "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. Strengthening him to do his job was the sacraments - what Catholics use as a Sacrament. One of his platoon mates was having a baby. These men who are in the field with the Warriors give great counsel, and great solace. Commander, Navy Installations Command | 716 Sicard Street SE Suite 1000 | Washington DC, 20374-5140 Official U.S. Navy Website April 5, 1981 - Sept. 29, 2006. Monsoor died approximately 30 minutes later from wounds sustained from the blast. AS A MEMBER OF A COMBINED SEAL AND IRAQI ARMY SNIPER OVERWATCH ELEMENT, TASKED WITH PROVIDING EARLY WARNING AND STAND-OFF PROTECTION FROM A ROOFTOP IN AN INSURGENT HELD SECTOR OF AR RAMADI, IRAQ, PETTY OFFICER MONSOOR DISTINGUISHED HIMSELF BY HIS EXCEPTIONAL BRAVERY IN THE FACE OF GRAVE DANGER. I mean that's crushing. 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. Shortly thereafter, an enemy fighter shot a rocket-propelled grenade at his building. This voice says to me: I am patrolling through the streets of Ramadi. They made him an honorary Chief because if he was alive, he still would have been. Rea:Right. 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 . I think Michael probably got some of his good leadership principles from following along Lieutenant Commander Willink. All of the rest of the men, three SEALs, and the Iraqi interpreters, survived because of what Michael did for them willingly. People need to know what he gave for his country, what he gave up willingly and so that started everything. It wasn't like someone said something, I meant these really happened. Michael Anthony Monsoor (April 5, 1981 - September 29, 2006) was a United States Navy SEAL who was killed during Operation Iraqi Freedom and posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. All of the older guys get fun jobs. He was gifted at everything he did, hard-working, funny, and selfless. The grenade hit Monsoor in the chest before falling to the ground. DDG 1001 TOP STORY. You record a conversation that George told you he had with Michael. : USS Michael Monsoor DDG-1001 2. The overwatch couldnt tell where the RPG came from and didnt return fire., Read Michael Monsoors Summary of Action for September 29th, 2006. But fear is no match for my Faith. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. 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. He is survived by his mother Sally, his father George, his sister Sara, and his two brothers James and Joseph. - Source Let me set this up a little bit. I've done a lot of projects. We worked hand-in-hand and one by one with his teammates. As we trained and prepared to deploy to Iraq, everyone learned that Mike was an incredible person. MASTER AT ARMS SECOND CLASS, SEA, AIR and LAND From there, God willing, I had the connections because I was a SEAL wife and I was able to reach out to Naval Special Warfare and they put me in touch with Michael's parents. Petty Officer Monsoor was subsequently awarded the Bronze Star as the Task Unit Ramadi, Iraq Combat Advisor from April to September 2006. Copyright 2023 Navy SEALs. Monica Hellstrm; THE RESCUE Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, Jimmy Chin, John Battsek, P. J. van . AS A MEMBER OF A COMBINED SEAL AND IRAQI ARMY SNIPER OVERWATCH ELEMENT, TASKED WITH PROVIDING EARLY WARNING AND STAND-OFF PROTECTION FROM A ROOFTOP IN AN INSURGENT HELD SECTOR OF AR RAMADI, IRAQ, PETTY OFFICER MONSOOR DISTINGUISHED HIMSELF BY HIS EXCEPTIONAL BRAVERY IN THE FACE OF GRAVE DANGER. Actually, there is a neat little memorial section in the back of the book that, yes there are these incredible memorials to him, but what I thought to point out is that the most powerful memorials right now are of all the sons of the brothers he saved who were named after him. We were doing his wake after the funeral there. 'MI5 exists to stop atrocities. As I look at this picture, I hear a voice in a humble but confident tone. He was 25-year-old Michael Monsoor. The Navy has its own traditions. What we do have preserved in the book are all those stories she shared, gems, so many she hadn't shared with the world. He chose them.. They patrolled bravely through the city streets engaging in firefights while on other occasions, they ambushed insurgent mortar teams near the banks of the Euphrates River. The sad thing is that Michael was ready to die at any time and I'm sure a lot of those guys were, Jim. Monsoors body shielded the others from the brunt of the fragmentation blast and two other SEALs were only wounded by the remaining blast.. Market data provided by Factset. Just like Marine Corps Sgt Rafael Peralta before him he jumped on a grenade to save the lives of the other Navy Seals in his snipers nest:. The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to. Michael Monsoor joined the United States Navy in about March of 2001. Rea: It did after and he was able to say that to them when they met him after he had passed away. Michael obviously knew what was going down, as he was operating on this nightly basis. I have looked at this picture over and over again and it speaks to me. Your parents and family are also remembered, as they too have borne the pain of your absence. On May 9, 2006 Mike rescued a SEAL who was shot in the leg. by Norman Fulkerson May 22, 2008. Rea: Yeah. Fausone: One of the things you talk about is as Michael was going through and became a SEAL, he wanted to go on to sniper school. and jumped onto the grenade, covering it with his body. box of lies online generator michael monsoor funeral. And look at also the actual battle scenes in there were actually taken from after-action reports. May the Lord continue to comfort you. They divided into two groups of four and they were providing bounding sniper overwatch for their Brothers in Arms. The ultimate friend. 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. . I can't speak for him, but I assume that's why he kept it to himself. or redistributed. Funeral. Monsoor described as an "outgoing guy" by his grandfather, George Monsoor, Sr. was killed on Sept. 29, 2006. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. His funeral in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego was attended by nearly every SEAL on the West Coast, President Bush said. They said no to me Jim, for two years, because they're so private. He will receive the award for his actions in Ar Ramadi, Iraq on Sept. 29, 2006. His teammates recall his sense of loyalty to God, family, and his team. Two SEALs next to Monsoor were injured . 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. 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. For this brave action, he earned a Silver Star. He has an older brother James and older . 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. He took a lot on and it says a lot about his character. 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. Close. From April to Sept. 29, 2006, Mike served as a heavy weapons machine gunner in Delta Platoon, SEAL Team 3. EVERETT One of the Navy's newest destroyers paid a visit to Puget Sound this weekend. Monsoor's position made him the only SEAL on the rooftop with quick access to an escape route. He took a lead position to protect the platoon from frontal assault and the team was frequently involved in engagements with insurgent fighters. But we are strong. STEVE INSKEEP, host: The White House is about to bestow the highest military award on a Navy SEAL from Southern California. A brotherhood bound by sweat and blood and tears. When we're able to read about someone that we would aspire to be or someone who's done something really incredible it is just inspiring. As Mikes coffin passed, each SEAL, having removed his gold Trident from his uniform, slapped it down embedding the Trident in the wooden coffin. IN THE EARLY MORNING, INSURGENTS PREPARED TO EXECUTE A COORDINATED ATTACK BY RECONNOITERING THE AREA AROUND THE ELEMENT'S POSITION. Get the recap of top opinion commentary and original content throughout the week. At his Oct. 12 funeral, as the e-mail states, Navy SEALs took their trident pins and pounded them . They flew him back over to do the honors. USSMichael Monsoor (DDG-1001), the second ship in the Zumwalt class of guided missile destroyers, was also named in his honor. He bore the weight without a single complaint, even in the midst of the 130 degree Western Iraqi summer. 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. On that day, Monsoor was part of a sniper overwatch security position with three other SEALs and eight Iraqi Army (IA) soldiers. I know why Michael continued to foster this relationship. SEAL snipers from his roof engaged two of them which resulted in one enemy wounded in action and one enemy killed in action. Upon graduation from basic training, he attended Master At Arms "A" School. Twenty Gold Star families and four Medal of Honor recipients witnessed the second Zumwalt-class destroyer enter the fleet. 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. USS Michael Monsoor (DDG-1001) will be commissioned into Navy service. Tell us about finding those guys and in some measure pulling the stories out to make "Defend Us in Battle.". 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. Over the years, many who have received the medal have given their lives in the action that earned it. The grenade detonated as he came down on top of it, mortally wounding him. The trapezoidal-shaped USS Michael Monsoor came to Naval Station Everett on Friday, where the ship . That picture says so much. 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. I had no idea. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. He has a grateful nation forever in his debt! Two SEALs next to Monsoor were injured; another who was 10 to 15 feet from the blast was unhurt. Though he carried himself in a calm and composed fashion, he constantly led the charge to bring the fight to the enemy. He also helped load his wounded teammate into a High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle for evacuation, then returned to combat. Aviation_Intel. [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. Naval Auxiliary Landing Field San Clemente Island. Portrait of Medal of Honor recipient Michael Monsoor. It was this cool relationship, almost this Brotherhood camaraderie too, between this Navy chaplain priest and Michael. Surely there is a special place in God's realm for him. 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. I thought that was just so powerful. A couple of other things that I think go to his character, which ultimately leads to him making the ultimate sacrifice, his commanding officer in Ramadi in the Spring of 2006 was Lieutenant Commander Jocko Willink. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. It was such an honor and they felt safe with me because I wasn't just a reporter. Monsoor and the two injured were evacuated to the combat outpost battalion aid station where Monsoor died approximately 30 minutes after the incident from injuries sustained by the grenade blast., Also due to Monsoors selfless actions, the fourth man of the SEAL squad who was 10-15 feet from the blast, was unhurt. He will inspire the crew, just as he inspired his teammates. Lieutenant Commander Jocko Willink, Navy SEAL. Her prayers for her son are just a reflection of what every mother is doing when their boys are overseas, or daughters are overseas. Regional exposure by managing/leading projects by handling projects. 190126-N-XN177-1115 SAN DIEGO (Jan. 26, 2019) Sailors stand in formation during the commissioning ceremony for the guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001), Jan. 26, 2019. Unrelated, Chris Kyle operated on the far western side of the city in support of additional special warfare operations; he reportedly killed 84 insurgents. Monsoor, a 25-year-old gunner, was killed in the explosion in Ramadi, west of Baghdad. He had this unbreakable little will at such a young age and it was so inspiring. "The procession went on nearly half an hour," Bush said. Named for a Medal of Honor recipient and Navy SEAL, USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001) will be commissioned Jan. 25. AS ENEMY ACTIVITY INCREASED, PETTY OFFICER MONSOOR TOOK POSITION WITH HIS MACHINE GUN BETWEEN TWO TEAMMATES ON AN OUTCROPPING OF THE ROOF. 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. The slaps were audible from across the cemetery; by the time the coffin arrived grave side, it looked as though it had a gold inlay from all the Tridents pinned to it. This electronic book is available for free download and printing from www.homeofheroes.com. Fausone: I've had the chance to write on and interview a number of chaplains. Michael Monsoor is the second Zumwalt-class destroyer to enter the fleet. Fausone: Well sometimes this arc is just perfect, and I think that was a good example of it. Michael died thirty minutes later, having made the ultimate sacrifice. The reason I learned a little bit about it is my husband is an active-duty SEAL. Zumwalt-class destroyer USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001) moored at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPACT) 2022. Really what Michael appreciated over there was strength. The overwatch couldnt tell where the RPG came from and didnt return fire.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. Some sort of bonding and love of your fellow man deepens in those situations. I just thought that was so incredible. Read Michael Monsoors Summary of Action for September 29th, 2006, As Kristen Scharnberg of the ChicagoTribune summarized in tribute, The men who were there that day say they could see the options flicker across Michael Mansoors face: save himself or save the men he had long considered brothers. She co-wrote a book with George Monsoor. All morning long the overwatch position received harassment fire that had become a typical part of the day for the security team. 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. 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. 0:36. The unit symbol is composed of Petty Officer Monsoor's Medal of Honor, SEAL Trident, and Master-at-Arms shield. In the following transcript, Veterans Radio host Jim Fausone talks with Rose about Michael, his family, his faith, and his sacrifice. BECOMING COUSTEAU Liz Garbus, Dan Cogan; COW Andrea Arnold, Kat Mansoor; FLEE Jonas Poher Rasmussen. 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 . 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. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Monsoor died on Sept. 29, 2006, and was buried in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego. Rea: So, so powerful. So many guys have named their kids after him because they just loved him so much. He undoubtedly saved mine and the other SEALs lives, and we owe him., As Kristen Scharnberg of the ChicagoTribune summarized in tribute, The men who were there that day say they could see the options flicker across Michael Mansoors face: save himself or save the men he had long considered brothers. On 15 operations, he carried a rucksack full of communications equipment in addition to his machinegun and full ammunition load-out. October 14, 2019 | Fort Sam Houston, TX. I want to hold my nephews and nieces again. 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=1135657594, United States Navy personnel of the Iraq War, United States Navy Medal of Honor recipients, American military personnel killed in the Iraq War, Burials at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, Iraq War recipients of the Medal of Honor, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with dead external links from January 2018, Articles with permanently dead external links, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 26 January 2023, at 01:00. 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. Because why my brother and not me? 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 . Sally recently passed away, and they were married for 49 years, so that is very heartbreaking. 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. This was one of the last missions, which is just even worse. [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. Monsoor . May you always rest in peace knowing that we remember you and your sacrifice. The 1,063 acre site has a firing range, an administration building, and a dormitory. He never gave up. As a member of a combined SEAL and Iraqi Army sniper overwatch element, tasked with providing early warning and stand-off protection from a rooftop in an insurgent-held sector of Ar Ramadi, Iraq, Petty Officer Monsoor distinguished himself by his exceptional bravery in the face of grave danger. I am so proud to be a part of this Band of Brothers. "And when it was all over, the simple wooden coffin had become a gold-plated memorial to a hero who will never be forgotten.. Jocko is widely known today as a lecturer, coach, podcaster, and personality about the war in Iraq. He is a real leadership guru and was at the time. Michael definitely inspired him in that, Michael was a SEAL first. 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. He was only the second SEAL to die in Iraq since the war began. And in this shipand in its crewMikeys spirit will live on. In the Ma'laab district, Michael perfected his skills as an urban machine gunner. Monsoor enlisted in the United States Navy in 2001 and graduated from Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training in 2004. 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. Monsoors body shielded the others from the brunt of the fragmentation blast and two other SEALs were only wounded by the remaining blast., One of the key aspects of this incident was the way the overwatch position was structured. Michael enlisted in the U.S. Navy March 21, 2001, and attended Basic Training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. Margaret Louise Monsoor, our loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend passed away in her sleep on August 8, 2021. Monsoor quickly smothered the grenade with his body, absorbing the resulting explosion and saving his comrades from serious injury or death.