A mutually supporting SEAL/IA position also killed an enemy fighter during the morning hours. The following month, his rating changed from Quartermaster to Master-at-Arms, and he was assigned to Delta Platoon, SEAL Team 3.[3][7]. Though well-acquainted with enemy tactics in Ar Ramadi, and keenly aware that the enemy would continue to attack, the SEALs remained on the battlefield in order to carry out the mission of guarding the western flank of the main effort. 1927-2021. Because of Petty Officer Monsoor's actions, he saved the lives of his 3 teammates and the IA soldiers. You may print and distribute in quantity for all non-profit, educational purposes. The Navy has operated on the 1,300 plus acres since the early 1960s, and is seeking to set aside an additional 4,486 acres of federal . The sad thing is that Michael was ready to die at any time and I'm sure a lot of those guys were, Jim. Exactly with that weapon, he was providing cover fire. Civilians aiding the insurgents blocked off the streets, and a nearby mosque had broadcast a message for people to fight against the Americans and the Iraqi soldiers. Lord, protect my brothers above all else. All rights reserved. The ship honors Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Monsoor, a Navy SEAL who . 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. Monsoor died on Sept. 29, 2006, and was buried in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego. The 1,063 acre site has a firing range, an administration building, and a dormitory. 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. Michael died thirty minutes later, having made the ultimate sacrifice. We were doing his wake after the funeral there. Although only he could have escaped the blast, Petty Officer Monsoor chose instead to protect his teammates. and jumped onto the grenade, covering it with his body. Ahead of the ceremony, Master-At-Arms 2nd Cl. [17], In October 2008, United States Secretary of the Navy Donald C. Winter announced that the second ship in the Zumwalt class of destroyers would be named USSMichael Monsoor(DDG-1001) in honor of Petty Officer Monsoor. George's son, Michael, is a recipient of the Medal of Honor and we're going to tell Michael's story. 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. 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. Strengthening him to do his job was the sacraments - what Catholics use as a Sacrament. Ismaili community leaders continued to report concerns about what they called the exclusion of Ismailis from other positions of political authority. Palatial properties along the Intracoastal Waterway, the St. Johns and the Beaches dominated the list of . I am Michael Monsoor. Petty Officer Michael A. Monsoor was killed in battle in Iraq in September 2006, and posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in April. Rose, thanks for bringing this story to life and adding it to the library of literature on Medal of Honor recipients. 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. Faced with the choice to save his comrades or save himself, Monsoor threw himself on the grenade, absorbing the impact. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. They had been through enough. And I'm like, who is this? Don't consider yourself a loser. The men fighting alongside us in the streets are infantrymengrunts. And look at also the actual battle scenes in there were actually taken from after-action reports. Being the wife of a SEAL, quitting is the worst thing you can ever do, and Michael quit. A couple of powerful statements. He will receive the award for his actions in Ar Ramadi, Iraq on Sept. 29, 2006. Not everyone can step in and do it that well, that fast. President's 13 Year Old Daughter Spent Spring Break in Mexico-Truth. And in this shipand in its crewMikeys spirit will live on. I remember his mom telling me she said, "Michael you can't do everything," because he just continued to carry the extra load, the extra weight. Monsoor was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, which was presented by President George W. Bush to Monsoor's parents on April 8, 2008. It wasn't like someone said something, I meant these really happened. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! She was 94 years old. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Thank-you for raising such a great son. The trident is a U.S. Navy special warfare badge worn by SEALs. Click to read President Bush's full speech at Monsoor's Medal of Honor ceremony. I know these grunts are not just Soldiers and Marines, but fathers and brothers and sons. Some sort of bonding and love of your fellow man deepens in those situations. One of his platoon mates was having a baby. It was the Army, the first of the 506 Battalion. Fausone: Go ahead and set us up for what happened on September 29, 2006 when Michael and three other snipers were there. Rose, how did you get involved in helping write and shape this book? Immediately, Petty Officer Monsoor, with complete disregard for his own safety, exposed himself to heavy enemy fire in order to provide suppressive fire and fight his way to the wounded SEAL's position. Rest in peace, Michael Monsoor. Naval Air Station North Island. Petty Officer Second Class (SEAL) Michael Anthony Monsoor. 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. Petty Officer Second Class (SEAL) Michael A. Monsoor patrols the streets of Iraq while deployed in 2006. You had middle school classes want to make videos and learned about his story. 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. His funeral in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego was attended by nearly every SEAL on the West Coast, President Bush said. 1. Anticipating further attacks, Monsoor, three SEAL snipers and three Iraqi Army soldiers took up a rooftop position. Monsoor yelled, Grenade! and dropped on top of the grenade prior to it exploding. 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. SAN DIEGO - Zumwalt-class destroyer USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001) held a change of command. 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. 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. Posted by 7 years ago. [2][4] When he was a child, Monsoor was afflicted with asthma but strengthened his lungs by racing his siblings in the family's swimming pool. And then he had communications equipment. Descripcin. To me, they're worth dying for, because there's a bond between brothers, and that bond transcends blood. You had a chance to talk to some of these men. Legal Statement. Taking Offense Religion, Art, and Visual Culture in Plural Configurations His parents had no idea that he was operating on a nightly basis and the type of danger that he was in. The guys talk about the weight you carry, the extra weight. 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. And Michael turned all of that away, Jim because he believed in a bigger ideal. I enlisted because of people like him, because of people who are willing to fight and die for their fellow man. The vessel was adrift in the Gulf of Aden for three days due to an engine. Rea: It did after and he was able to say that to them when they met him after he had passed away. The grenade exploded seconds later and Monsoor's body absorbed most of the force of the blast. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Death is everywhere. Your parents and family are also remembered, as they too have borne the pain of your absence. [20], As part of modernization, Garden Grove High School, where Michael Monsoor attended, dedicated the newly built stadium to him, naming it "Michael Monsoor Memorial Stadium". It is heart breaking to hear that, he is gone. Really what Michael appreciated over there was strength. Only you guys, only the men, and women who have served in these stressful situations can attest something happens. You got a chance to talk to his Navy buddies before he became a SEAL and importantly after he became a SEAL and served in Iraq. They were providing overwatch security while joint and combined forces were conducting missions in the area. His quiet demeanor and dedication to his friends matched the "Silent Warrior" SEAL mentality that was to become his calling in life. I think that was the way that it was always meant to be. 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. Michael was the closest one where he could have jumped away from it, but the other three could not have. It's not always a religious thing, sometimes it's just that you have somebody safe you can express your fears with. Close. The enemy continued to assault the element, engaging them with a rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire. Though he carried himself in a calm and composed fashion, he constantly led the charge to bring the fight to the enemy. And that's what it is. 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. It's so painful, but George knew his son was set to do this, was set to go to this war-torn area and he wasn't afraid. 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. For these actions, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. 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 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 . (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Peter Burghart/Released). 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. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. The overwatch couldnt tell where the RPG came from and didnt return fire., Read Michael Monsoors Summary of Action for September 29th, 2006. As someone that had the pleasure of knowing Mikey as a friend, and had the honor of serving with him on the battlefield, this photograph tells me a story. MASTER-AT-ARMS SECOND CLASS (SEA, AIR AND LAND) MICHAEL A. MONSOOR, MA2 MICHAEL A. MONSOOR, USN with sailors on his tour. However, I was patient but I just kept nudging and saying this is such a profound story. 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 really wanted to protect them. Home Haller Motorworx & Farm Equipment Magazine, AR 479 969-6464. On March 31, 2008, the United States Department of Defense confirmed that Monsoor would posthumously receive the Medal of Honor. Bless their hearts. THE ENEMY CONTINUED TO ASSAULT THE ELEMENT, ENGAGING THEM WITH A ROCKET-PROPELLED GRENADE AND SMALL ARMS FIRE. He also helped load his wounded teammate into a High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle for evacuation, then returned to combat. Named for a Medal of Honor recipient and Navy SEAL, USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001) will be commissioned Jan. 25. They said no to me Jim, for two years, because they're so private. [5][6], A grenade was thrown onto the rooftop by an insurgent on the street below. Naval Auxiliary Landing Field San Clemente Island. Tell us about this day that will always be remembered. I feel so honored that I was able to play a small role in now bringing his story to the world because George told me one of the reasons that finally got him to say yes was he said my son was so much more than just a boy who jumped on a grenade because that's what the average person in the public knew him as. Installations. Portrait of Medal of Honor recipient Michael Monsoor. May the Lord comfort you. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class Demitrius J. Williams). He was a boy. He gave his life to protect comrades . I know why Michael continued to foster this relationship. 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. He was one of the best men I've ever met and although we were merely colleagues, I still mourn his every Memorial Day and September 29th. 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. 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. May the Lord continue to comfort you. 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. Two other SEALs next to him at the time were injured by the explosion but survived. The hardened enemy was bent on destruction; they fought with ruthlessness, constantly on the attack with machine guns, mortars, grenades, and IEDs. 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. And while there is no way that a steel and iron ship can ever replace the flesh and blood that was Michael Monsoor, at the same time, there is no more fitting memorial to him than a warship. It was communion, it was Eucharist, it was confession. 120. All morning long the overwatch position received harassment fire that had become a typical part of the day for the security team. I love my country, my fellow SEALs, and the men fighting alongside us. IN THE EARLY MORNING, INSURGENTS PREPARED TO EXECUTE A COORDINATED ATTACK BY RECONNOITERING THE AREA AROUND THE ELEMENT'S POSITION. 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. He is buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego. . Michael inspired and looked out for his friends his whole life. As for his family, please accept my deepest sympathy. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. 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 . Monica Hellstrm; THE RESCUE Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, Jimmy Chin, John Battsek, P. J. van . He is survived by his mother Sally, his father George, his sister Sara, and his two brothers James and Joseph. It was such an honor and they felt safe with me because I wasn't just a reporter. Monsoors body shielded the others from the brunt of the fragmentation blast and two other SEALs were only wounded by the remaining blast.. Through this ship: Michael Monsoor will still represent the very best our country has to offer. There was only one access point for entry or exit and Monsoor was the only one who could have saved himself from harm. 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. Home Haller Motorworx & Farm Equipment Magazine, AR 479 969-6464 To all those whose lives were forever changed on that awful night: I am so sorry that MI5 did not prevent the attack at the Manchester Arena,' Mr McCallum said As enemy activity increased, Petty Officer Monsoor took position with his machine gun between two teammates on an outcropping of the roof. Give us a little bit about how George is thinking about this, how the rest of the family is thinking about this? For this brave action, he earned a Silver Star. In that split second, which is all that he had, he jumped on top of it and shielded the blast with his own body. 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. Jim Fausone:We want to welcome to Veterans Radio today, Rose Rea. US Navy Medal of Honor recipient (19812006), Mountain Warfare Training Camp Michael Monsoor, Garden Grove High School Memorial Stadium. Brave men died or were wounded every day. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. 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). I can't speak for him, but I assume that's why he kept it to himself. It really is, because all you want for your child is a long life, happiness, is comfort. On January 26th, 2019, the Zumwalt class destroyer. Again, a great story about a terrific young man who made the ultimate sacrifice for his mates - a selfless act. I have looked at this picture over and over again and it speaks to me. 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. 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. He never gave up. He was the ultimate teammate. He is a real leadership guru and was at the time. I think there's a lesson for all of us here, isn't there? Even before I jumped into really writing the story, I had no idea that he quit BUD/S once. In the picture, his brother SEALs are nearbybut Mikey is out front. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Michael, being the man that he was, was aware of everything going on around him. WHAT RUDDERLESS MILLENNIALS COULD LEARN FROM NAVY SEAL MICHAEL MONSOOR -- WHO GAVE HIS LIFE FOR OTHERS. Perry, Tony, "Destroyer To Bear O.C. The Moving Funeral of Petty Officer Mike Monsoor-Truth! Mike and his fellow SEALs accounted for 84 enemy fighters killed in action and the detainment of numerous insurgents. How many times? USS Michael Monsoor is the second of three Zumwalt-class destroyers ordered by the Navy. IN THE EARLY MORNING, INSURGENTS PREPARED TO EXECUTE A COORDINATED ATTACK BY RECONNOITERING THE AREA AROUND THE ELEMENTS POSITION. 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. From the US Navy: Petty Officer Second Class (SEAL) Michael Anthony Monsoor. 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. Not much is known of the circumstances surrounding his death, family members said . [2] His father also served in the United States military as a Marine. So, Michael willingly volunteered to stay and continue operating. So the majority of the platoon will get ready, they'll pack up, they'll get things on their containers to head home and they'll start getting ready to phase out and the new team will come back in. 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. [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. In the following transcript, Veterans Radio host Jim Fausone talks with Rose about Michael, his family, his faith, and his sacrifice. The grenade hit Monsoor in the chest and fell onto the floor. In the early afternoon, enemy fighters attacked his position with automatic weapons fire from a moving vehicle. Because why my brother and not me? 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. He was only the second SEAL to die in Iraq since the war began. On September 29, 2006, Ramadi, Iraq was considered the most dangerous city on planet earth for American servicemen. After further training he was assigned to Delta Platoon, SEAL Team 3. You have to ask yourself what makes a man do this. 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. When I started reading the memorials at the back of the book, I could feel how meaningful different memorials would have been to Michael. He is survived by his parents, an older sister and two brothers. But then they started to take fire which happened pretty fast, and ultimately, a grenade was thrown on the rooftop. 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? Jocko is widely known today as a lecturer, coach, podcaster, and personality about the war in Iraq. So I thought it was a nice touch to add that all in. "The procession went on nearly half an hour," Bush said. Camp Morena. Ramadi at the time was the epicenter of the insurgency in Iraq, a city filled with peril.
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