Failed to report flower. 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. He has a grateful nation forever in his debt! 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. Particularly a Military Funeral, held at a Military Cemetary. Sorry! Together, we live in dust and dirt and filth. The Mountain Warfare Training Facility Camp Michael Monsoor is located 50 miles east of San Diego, near the city of Campo. For this brave action, he earned a Silver Star. This is what I said: Ladies and gentlemen. That picture says so much. 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. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Instead, he dropped onto the grenade to shield the others from the blast. Ahead of the ceremony, Master-At-Arms 2nd Class (SEAL) Michael Monsoors teammates share his story of his courageous and selfless actions. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. He aggressively stabilized each chaotic situation with focused determination and uncanny tactical awareness. 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. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. PO2 (EOD2) Mike Monsoor, a Navy EOD Technician, was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously for jumping on a grenade in Iraq, giving his life to save his fellow Seals. 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. Thanks for your help! The grenade exploded seconds later and Monsoor's body absorbed most of the force of the blast. The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to. The ultimate friend. There is a problem with your email/password. Patricia Monsoor, his aunt and godmother, said he went to confession frequently and other soldiers who were not practicing would sometimes follow [him to Mass] because of his good example.. Michael Monsoor was immediately evacuated to a battalion aid station. Legal Statement. Are you sure that you want to delete this flower? Mike and his fellow SEALs accounted for 84 enemy fighters killed in action and the detainment of numerous insurgents. He then maintained suppressive fire while the wounded SEAL received tactical casualty treatment. He was a member of the elite branch of the Navy called SEALS, which stands for SEa, Air and Land. 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. But we are strong. AS ENEMY ACTIVITY INCREASED, PETTY OFFICER MONSOOR TOOK POSITION WITH HIS MACHINE GUN BETWEEN TWO TEAMMATES ON AN OUTCROPPING OF THE ROOF. The enemy continued to assault the element, engaging them with a rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire. Faith conquers all. I know the importance of family because there is nothing more important to me, than my family. After further training he was assigned to Delta Platoon, SEAL Team 3. 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. Resend Activation Email. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 2001 and graduated from Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training BUD/S class 250 in 2004. The Early Years. It is heart breaking to hear that, he is gone. [2] His father also served in the United States military as a Marine. [18], A SEAL training facilitylocated about 50 miles (80km) east of San Diegowas renamed Mountain Warfare Training Camp Michael Monsoor. IN THE EARLY MORNING, INSURGENTS PREPARED TO EXECUTE A COORDINATED ATTACK BY RECONNOITERING THE AREA AROUND THE ELEMENT'S POSITION. Having already endured so many hardships and numerous brushes with death no one would have faulted him had he chosen a path to safety. Petty Officer Monsoor was subsequently awarded the Bronze Star as the Task Unit Ramadi, Iraq Combat Advisor from April to September 2006. He received the award for his actions in Ar Ramadi . Monsoor died on Sept. 29, 2006, and was buried in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego. This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. When the grenade landed in front of him, Michael Monsoor knew that the length of the fuse would not allow him to toss it out. Commander John Willink during an evening ceremony at the Navy Memorial honoring the fallen hero.8. Mike was one of the bravest men on the battlefield, never allowing the enemy to discourage him. The grenade hit him in the chest and bounced onto the deck. Home > Fighting the Culture War > No Greater Love. 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. Though he carried himself in a calm and composed fashion, he constantly led the charge to bring the fight to the enemy. I want to hold my nephews and nieces again. Although nothing can adequately prepare one for such a circumstance, Michael Monsoor seemed to be living a life which pointed to it. Act of Valor and the Navy SEALs that Inspired the Movie's Realism A celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, May 3rd 2023 at 11:00 AM at the Hines-Rinaldi Funeral Home (11800 New Hampshire Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20904). Please try again later. "The grenade hit Monsoor in the chest before falling to the ground. Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters. There were also several blogs that called the whole story a rumor, citing that it was impossible to embed the trident pins and line them up so well as the casket moved between the lines of SEALs. He described in detail a photo of Michael released shortly after his death. Lord, protect my brothers above all else. When an insurgent's . For service as set forth in the following CITATION: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Automatic Weapons Gunner for Naval Special Warfare Task Group Arabian Peninsula, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 29 September 2006. Michael Monsoor is a hero for all the world to know about and appreciate. 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. In the morning, his team observed four enemy fighters armed with AK-47s reconnoitering from roads in the sector to conduct follow-on attacks. The grenade hit Monsoor in the chest before falling to the ground. Fr. Petty Officer Monsoor's actions could not have been more selfless or clearly intentional. On May 9, 2006 Mike rescued a SEAL who was shot in the leg. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. Medal of Honor - Michael Monsoor's Story | Military.com All rights reserved. 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. ATLANTIC OCEAN (April 25, 2023) Sailors aim 9 mm pistols at targets during a weapons qualification course aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), April 25, 2023. He was born May 31, 1932. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. ELEMENT SNIPERS THWARTED THE ENEMYS INITIAL ATTEMPT BY ELIMINATING TWO INSURGENTS. Makin Island Participates in Balikatan 23 In the early morning, insurgents prepared to execute a coordinated attack by reconnoitering the area around the element's position. Forrest Vosler, Biden Awards 3 Soldiers Medals of Honor for Valor, The Erwin Brothers Share Their Grandfather's WWII Medal of Honor Story and Talk About Their Movie "American Underdog. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, The grenade detonated as he came down on top of it, mortally wounding him. 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. Verify and try again. Petty Officer Monsoor's actions could not have been more selfless or clearly intentional. A mutually supporting SEAL/IA position also killed an enemy fighter during the morning hours. (U.S. Navy video by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Danian Douglas and Austin Rooney/Released). He was gifted at everything he did, hard-working, funny, and selfless. 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. Medal of Honor Recipient Michael A. Monsoor An emotional Donald Winter quoted a passage from scripture already remembered by so many to describe Michael Monsoor.