Palatial properties along the Intracoastal Waterway, the St. Johns and the Beaches dominated the list of . It's really a selfless sacrifice and you end up giving this gift to those who are spared. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Rea: It was my pleasure and it's been such a joy speaking with you. They said no to me Jim, for two years, because they're so private. In the book, "Defend Us in Battle: The True Story of MA2 Navy SEAL Medal of Honor Recipient Michael A. Monsoor". Because of Petty Officer Monsoor's actions, he saved the lives of his 3 teammates and the IA soldiers. Delta Platoon executed a broad spectrum of combat operations in and around Ramadi. Three Ismaili Muslims were members of parliament, down one from 2019, and State Minister for Peace Sadat Mansoor Naderi is also an Ismaili Muslim. Each time I read of Michael's sacrifice I'm so amazed & heartbroken. Forever the May Queen . They made him an honorary Chief because if he was alive, he still would have been. 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. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Not everyone can step in and do it that well, that fast. Michael attended Dr. Walter C. Ralston Intermediate School and Garden Grove High School where he played tight end on the Argonaut football team and graduated in 1999. George's son, Michael, is a recipient of the Medal of Honor and we're going to tell Michael's story. He will inspire the crew, just as he inspired his teammates. Naval Amphibious Base Coronado. 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. Petty Officer Monsoor maintained suppressive fire as the wounded SEAL received tactical casualty treatment to his leg. Words seem insufficient to recognize him as the most honorable, decent, unselfish, brave man who gave his life to save others. 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. Anticipating further attacks, Monsoor, three SEAL snipers and three Iraqi Army soldiers took up a rooftop position. 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. How many times? Rea: It's so true. Over the years, many who have received the medal have given their lives in the action that earned it. Just let them have their brother. Tell us about this day that will always be remembered. 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. Legal Statement. On the flip side, such gratitude. I met Mike Monsoor when he checked into SEAL Team Three as a new, highly-motivated young frogman. UNITED STATES NAVY Margaret Louise Monsoor, our loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend passed away in her sleep on August 8, 2021. He has an older brother James and older . 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. This is what I said: Ladies and gentlemen. Michael Monsoor, a Navy Seal, sacrificed his life for his buddies on Sept 29th. Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael A. Monsoor had been near the only door to the rooftop structure Sept. 29 when the grenade hit him in the chest and bounced to the floor, said four SEALs who spoke to The Associated Press this week on condition of anonymity because their work requires their identities to remain secret. And even the siblings of course, because they don't know all the operations he went on either. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. A brotherhood bound by sweat and blood and tears. Fausone: "Defend Us in Battle" is on the Harper Horizon imprint. In the Ma'laab district, Michael perfected his skills as an urban machine gunner. He knew some of these guys were going home early, it's called turnover. I've met him and interviewed him and now I get it. His quiet demeanor and dedication to his friends matched the "Silent Warrior" SEAL mentality that was to become his calling in life. We're his siblings, just let us be. IN THE EARLY MORNING, INSURGENTS PREPARED TO EXECUTE A COORDINATED ATTACK BY RECONNOITERING THE AREA AROUND THE ELEMENTS POSITION. Contact. A very uneventful day at first, Jim. His funeral in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego . All rights reserved. It is heart breaking to hear that, he is gone. Michael was the closest one where he could have jumped away from it, but the other three could not have. For those of us who were there, that picture of Mike captures all of this. 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. 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. I have looked at this picture over and over again and it speaks to me. Rea: Yeah. Petty Officer Second Class Michael Anthony Monsoor was born April 5, 1981 in Long Beach, Calif. Michael . THE ENEMY CONTINUED TO ASSAULT THE ELEMENT, ENGAGING THEM WITH A ROCKET-PROPELLED GRENADE AND SMALL ARMS FIRE. Because there is nothing more important to me than my family. Instead, he threw himself onto the live grenade, shielding his fellow soldiers from the immediate explosion. Two SEALs next to Monsoor were injured . Only you guys, only the men, and women who have served in these stressful situations can attest something happens. 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. What we do have preserved in the book are all those stories she shared, gems, so many she hadn't shared with the world. I think there's a lesson for all of us here, isn't there? As enemy activity increased, Petty Officer Monsoor took position with his machine gun between two teammates on an outcropping of the roof. 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. I believe I had the honor and pleasure of meeting Mr. Monsoor there. The vessel was adrift in the Gulf of Aden for three days due to an engine. He is survived by his mother Sally, his father George, his sister Sara, and his two brothers James and Joseph. Requiescate in pace. He has an older brother James and older sister Sara, and a younger brother Joseph. Market data provided by Factset. All rights reserved. The men fighting alongside us in the streets are infantrymengrunts. His leadership, guidance and decisive actions during 11 different combat operations saved the lives of his teammates, other Coalition Forces and Iraqi Army soldiers. From April to Sept. 29, 2006, Mike served as a heavy weapons machine gunner in Delta Platoon, SEAL Team 3. [5], During an engagement on May 9, 2006, Monsoor ran into a street while under continuous insurgent gunfire to rescue an injured comrade. However, I was patient but I just kept nudging and saying this is such a profound story. 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. As shown at the end of the tribute video linked below, during Monsoor's funeral service, as the casket was taken from the hearse to the gravesite, fellow SEALs . . The enemy continued to assault the element, engaging them with a rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire. Your act and demonstrated honor is a high standard for all of us. Kirsten Wang. 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. 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. He had this unbreakable little will at such a young age and it was so inspiring. The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to. Rea: It did after and he was able to say that to them when they met him after he had passed away. Monsoor enlisted in the United States Navy in 2001 and graduated from Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training in 2004. Some sort of bonding and love of your fellow man deepens in those situations. 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. 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. These men who are in the field with the Warriors give great counsel, and great solace. April 5, 1981 - Sept. 29, 2006. 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. The 610-foot, 15,000-ton ship, built by General Dynamics Bath Iron Works for the U.S. Navy, was named for Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Monsoor. 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. "The procession went on nearly half an hour," Bush said. On that day, he was on a rooftop over-watch in . [18], A SEAL training facilitylocated about 50 miles (80km) east of San Diegowas renamed Mountain Warfare Training Camp Michael Monsoor. I've been in the industry for about 15 years now, and nothing has been as meaningful to me as Michael's story - to really kind of uncover it and now share it with the world. Silver Strand Training Complex. On September 29, 2006, an insurgent threw a grenade onto a rooftop where Monsoor and several other SEALs and Iraqi soldiers were positioned. During the funeral of Navy SEAL Michael A. Monsoor, every Navy SEAL on the West Coast came to the funeral, took off their golden trident off of their own uniform and slapped it onto his wooden coffin covering the whole coffin in golden tridents. It was the Army, the first of the 506 Battalion. You see those friendships that were deep in there. 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. As we trained and prepared to deploy to Iraq, everyone learned that Mike was an incredible person. Exploit isn't the right word - that happens right? 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. 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. Like many kids, he wanted to test himself and be the best he could in service and made his way through BUD/S and became a Navy SEAL in March 2005. Funeral. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. [5][6], Monsoor enlisted in the United States Navy on March 24, 2001, and attended Basic Training at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, Illinois. In the picture, his brother SEALs are nearbybut Mikey is out front. As suspected, his parents wouldn't have known about it but probably gave them great comfort once they learned. Not out of any sort of reason other than just letting us be. There was no other option for him. A couple of powerful statements. 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. [6], On September 29, 2006, Monsoor's platoon engaged four insurgents in a firefight in Ramadi, killing one and injuring another. 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. Monsoor was awarded the Silver Star for this action,[5][8] and was also awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his service in Iraq. I and the other members of SEAL Team Three, Task Unit Bruiser, had the honor of participating in the commissioning ceremony. 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. 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. 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 . Instead, I smile at the Iraqi children when we pass them by. They were providing overwatch security while joint and combined forces were conducting missions in the area. Copyright 2023 Navy SEALs. The 25-year-old California native died in 2006 . I miss my mother, my father, my sister, and my brothers. I had no idea. People want to know everything all the time. I know because my father and brother were also gruntsproud Marine riflemen. Because why my brother and not me? The guy who made this special box - almost like a shadow box, but it's a decorative box - he said, "No I want to do this, don't pay me a cent. The symbolic display moved many, included Bush, who during his speech in April's Medal of Honor ceremony spoke about the incident. Michael Anthony Monsoor was born on 5 April 1981 in Long Beach, CA, the third of four children born to George and Sally Monsoor. Element snipers thwarted the enemy's initial attempt by eliminating two insurgents. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Upon graduation from basic training, he attended Master At Arms "A" School. Exactly with that weapon, he was providing cover fire. USS Michael Monsoor (DDG-1001) will be commissioned into Navy service. Get the recap of top opinion commentary and original content throughout the week. 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. 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. On January 26, 2019, the U.S. Navy commissioned a ship named the USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001). You may print and distribute in quantity for all non-profit, educational purposes. [5][6], A grenade was thrown onto the rooftop by an insurgent on the street below. Fausone: Well sometimes this arc is just perfect, and I think that was a good example of it. I know these grunts are not just Soldiers and Marines, but fathers and brothers and sons. Rose, how did you get involved in helping write and shape this book? [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. 120. He is a real leadership guru and was at the time. I am so proud to be a part of this Band of Brothers. LATEST NEWS The 40th Annual San Francisco Fleet Week Begins. 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. Imperial Beach Outlying Landing Field. Named for a Medal of Honor recipient and Navy SEAL, USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001) will be commissioned Jan. 25. Ramadi had been a violent and intense area for a very strong . Legal Statement. Michael died thirty minutes later, having made the ultimate sacrifice. 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. Although only he could have escaped the blast, Petty Officer Monsoor chose instead to protect his teammates. 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. We were doing his wake after the funeral there. This gun is nicknamed "The Pig" because of its squealing sound and because there's so much force when they're shooting it. Copyright 2018 by Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC In that split second, which is all that he had, he jumped on top of it and shielded the blast with his own body. 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. Two SEALs next to Monsoor were injured; another who was 10 to 15 feet from the blast was unhurt. ELEMENT SNIPERS THWARTED THE ENEMY'S INITIAL ATTEMPT BY ELIMINATING TWO INSURGENTS. The ultimate friend. He has a grateful nation forever in his debt! Who was I named after? He was gifted at everything he did, hard-working, funny, and selfless. He bore the weight without a single complaint, even in the midst of the 130 degree Western Iraqi summer. They really didn't - it was definitely something. Instead, knowing what the outcome would be, he fell on the grenade to save the others from harm. Ramadi had been a violent and intense area for a very strong and aggressive insurgency for some time. I mean that's crushing. TIL during the funeral of Navy SEAL Michael A. Monsoor, every Navy SEAL on the West Coast came to the funeral, took off their golden trident off of there own uniform and slapped it onto his wooden coffin covering the whole coffin in golden tridents. Descripcin. It is the first Navy combat ship named for fallen Master-at-Arms 2nd Class (SEAL) Michael Monsoor, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions while serving in Ramadi, Iraq, in 2006 (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Peter Burghart/Released). Tell us about finding those guys and in some measure pulling the stories out to make "Defend Us in Battle.". Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. 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. The hardened enemy was bent on destruction; they fought with ruthlessness, constantly on the attack with machine guns, mortars, grenades, and IEDs. 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? I was part of their community. And then it just goes on from there, with the building of this ship. 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. And in this shipand in its crewMikeys spirit will live on. [21][22][23], Michael Monsoor is mentioned in the book of Rorke Denver "Damn Few: Making the Modern SEAL Warrior".[24]. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions on 29 September 2006. Michael Anthony Monsoor (April 5, 1981 - September 29, 2006) was a United States Navy SEAL who was killed during the Iraq War and posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. Mike was one of the bravest men on the battlefield, never allowing the enemy to discourage him. - Source So my husband brings this book home and there's one paragraph - that's all it was - one paragraph. Our strength is our brotherhood. Click to see a video showing the SEALs' tribute to Monsoor on YouTube. After further training he was assigned to Delta Platoon, SEAL Team 3. 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. He was operating with I think eight of them total left out of a normal size of 15 to 20. Most notably, the Army Infantry, Navy SEAL and Iraqi Army combined force helped to pacify the most violent city in Al Anbar province setting conditions for the Sunni Awakening. As we approach the Anniversary of Mikey's sacrifice, I want to tell you about this man. To this day, they still blows me away. Petty Officer Second Class (SEAL) Michael A. Monsoor patrols the streets of Iraq while deployed in 2006. Then you read about these guys in the story when Michael was in Italy and he was in this waiting pattern to go back to get a second chance. They got him evacuated off the rooftop, and got him as fast as they could back to base, but that's where he passed away. Due to expected enemy action, the officer in charge repositioned him with his automatic heavy machine gun in the direction of the enemy's most likely avenue of approach. An incredible athlete, Mike enjoyed snowboarding, body boarding, spear fishing, motorcycle riding, and driving his Corvette. They had been through enough. 2006 Michael was so quiet. On September 29, 2006, Michael Monsoor and three SEAL snipers watched vigilantly for enemy activity from a rooftop post in Ar Ramadi, Iraq. The Michael Monsoor, a Zumwalt-class destroyer, is docked in the San Diego Harbor at Naval Air Station North Island in Coronado Island, Calif. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 10 He will receive the award for his actions in Ar Ramadi, Iraq on Sept. 29, 2006. You tell the story of Michael improving himself and getting through BUD/S. Monsoor was severely wounded and although evacuated immediately, he died 30 minutes later. He aggressively stabilized each chaotic situation with focused determination and uncanny tactical awareness. Rea:Right. The grenade detonated as he came down on top of it, mortally wounding him. The SEALs fired back and stood their ground. Fausone: I think that's the bonding that occurs that maybe the civilian population doesn't necessarily appreciate. His parents had no idea that he was operating on a nightly basis and the type of danger that he was in. And I'm like, who is this? As Mikes coffin passed, each SEAL, having removed his gold Trident from his uniform, slapped it down embedding the Trident in the wooden coffin. He lived for 30 minutes longer, they were providing aid as fast as they could. Additionally, a nearby mosque called insurgents to arms to fight Coalition Forces. It's not always a religious thing, sometimes it's just that you have somebody safe you can express your fears with. [10] Monsoor's parents, Sally and George Monsoor, received the medal on his behalf at an April 8, ceremony at the White House held by the President. The ship honors Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Monsoor, a Navy SEAL who . He went back. They divided into two groups of four and they were providing bounding sniper overwatch for their Brothers in Arms. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Petty Officer Monsoor was subsequently awarded the Bronze Star as the Task Unit Ramadi, Iraq Combat Advisor from April to September 2006. Surely there is a special place in God's realm for him. He was 25-year-old Michael Monsoor. One of them belongs to Michael Monsoor. Aviation_Intel. Not much is known of the circumstances surrounding his death, family members said . The trident is a U.S. Navy special warfare badge worn by SEALs. Michael definitely inspired him in that, Michael was a SEAL first. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. 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.
