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It is heart breaking to hear that, he is gone. 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. His face is calm, almost smilingdespite the obvious chaos and danger around him. Able to work in a promising business revenue and product pipeline organization. Descripcin. [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". Michael just took all that on and he was never one to back down from anything. 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. Requiescate in pace. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Naval Amphibious Base Coronado. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class Demitrius J. Williams). Faith conquers all. May the Lord comfort you. A mutually supporting SEAL/IA position also killed an enemy fighter during the morning hours. Not everyone has made a comprehensive story yet, so the sacrifice lives on I think in the sense of these guys and his parents. May you always rest in peace knowing that we remember you and your sacrifice. The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to. 2006 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. On September 29, 2006, Michael Monsoor and three SEAL snipers watched vigilantly for enemy activity from a rooftop post in Ar Ramadi, Iraq. I don't think any of us can sit back and think oh it's so easy for everyone else, but it's hard for us to see past our own difficulty sometimes. 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. 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. During Mike Monsoor's funeral in San Diego, as his coffin was at the grave site at Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery, SEALs were lined up on both sides of the pallbearers route . There was no other option for him. U.S. Navy file photo of the Medal of Honor certificate presented by President George W. Bush to George and Sally Monsoor on Tuesday, April 8, 2008, during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House. Bush awards Medal of Honor to Navy SEAL Mike Cirelli, one of the men he saved, named his son Michael Anthony after Michael Anthony Monsoor. I just thought that was so incredible. As for his family, please accept my deepest sympathy. 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. Monsoor, a 25-year-old gunner, was killed in the explosion in Ramadi, west of Baghdad. I thought that was just so powerful. He chose them.. Surely there is a special place in God's realm for him. May 7, 1976 - June 28, 2005. Mission and Vision. 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. Zumwalt-class destroyer USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001) moored at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPACT) 2022. 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've done a lot of projects. His life and unfortunate death are . Monsoor was protecting other SEALs, two of whom were 15 feet away from him. When a grenade thrown by insurgents bounced off Michael's chest, he could have escaped. 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). Collectively it weighed more than 100 pounds. Being the wife of a SEAL, quitting is the worst thing you can ever do, and Michael quit. 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. In September 2006, Michael laid down his life for his brothers in arms. It was communion, it was Eucharist, it was confession. His funeral in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego was attended by nearly every SEAL on the West Coast, President Bush said. And from a mother's perspective, it's heartbreaking. 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. He entered Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training and graduated from Class 250 on September 2, 2004, as one of the top performers in his class. He was gifted at everything he did, hard-working, funny, and selfless. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. I think that was the way that it was always meant to be. U.S. Navy's newest stealth destroyer USS Monsoor christened - CNN 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. [12][13], For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy as Platoon Machine Gunner in Sea, Air, Land Team THREE (SEAL-3), Naval Special Warfare Task Group Arabian Peninsula, Task Unit Ramadi, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 9 May 2006. Death is everywhere. All morning long the overwatch position received harassment fire that had become a typical part of the day for the security team. 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. He is survived by his mother Sally, his father George, his sister Sara, and his two brothers James and Joseph. I feel like it was about a hundred pounds extra the guys were telling me from bullets from his SAW Gun, which you probably could go into more specifics about, but I meant it was a huge automatic weapon. This gun is nicknamed "The Pig" because of its squealing sound and because there's so much force when they're shooting it. During the battle, a grenade bounced off Monsoors chest and landed on the roof. [1] He enlisted in the United States Navy in 2001 and graduated from Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Training BUD/S class 250 in 2004. 'MI5 exists to stop atrocities. The trident is a U.S. Navy special warfare badge worn by SEALs. [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]. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. I had no idea. This is what I said: Ladies and gentlemen. All rights reserved. He's heading into his 20th year of service this summer. Installations. 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. Michael Monsoor is the second Zumwalt-class destroyer to enter the fleet. Rea: Jim, I was able to interview the childhood friend, who also became a SEAL which is so cool - behind-the-scenes little tidbit there. [21][22][23], Michael Monsoor is mentioned in the book of Rorke Denver "Damn Few: Making the Modern SEAL Warrior".[24]. Only you guys, only the men, and women who have served in these stressful situations can attest something happens. - Source 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. The reason I learned a little bit about it is my husband is an active-duty SEAL. Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines, fighting together. I know these grunts are not just Soldiers and Marines, but fathers and brothers and sons. The text of his citation reads: For service as set forth in the following. ALTHOUGH ONLY HE COULD HAVE ESCAPED THE BLAST, PETTY OFFICER MONSOOR CHOSE INSTEAD TO PROTECT HIS TEAMMATES. Fausone: Well sometimes this arc is just perfect, and I think that was a good example of it. You have to ask yourself what makes a man do this. He really wanted to protect them. Legal Statement. Figure out what you need to do to get better and get through that challenge. SAN DIEGO - Zumwalt-class destroyer USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001) held a change of command. President's 13 Year Old Daughter Spent Spring Break in Mexico-Truth. Monsoor described as an "outgoing guy" by his grandfather, George Monsoor, Sr. was killed on Sept. 29, 2006. All Rights Reserved. 120. During the Battle of Ramadi, SEAL Team Three was sent to Ramadi, Iraq in April 2006 and assigned to train Iraqi Army soldiers. As Mikes coffin passed, each SEAL, having removed his gold Trident from his uniform, slapped it down embedding the Trident in the wooden coffin. I mean this really is a story about Brotherhood and father/son. 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 buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego. To this day, they still blows me away. He took a lot on and it says a lot about his character. Rest in peace, Michael Monsoor. You see those friendships that were deep in there. MASTER-AT-ARMS SECOND CLASS (SEA, AIR AND LAND) MICHAEL A. MONSOOR, MA2 MICHAEL A. MONSOOR, USN with sailors on his tour. The sad thing is that Michael was ready to die at any time and I'm sure a lot of those guys were, Jim. The other thing, not everyone's going to understand the gravity of this, but he was a new guy. So it just marries together so many wonderful stories and memories. 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. The vessel was adrift in the Gulf of Aden for three days due to an engine. The hardened enemy was bent on destruction; they fought with ruthlessness, constantly on the attack with machine guns, mortars, grenades, and IEDs. During the service, as Monsoor's coffin was taken from the hearse to the gravesite, Navy SEALs lined up in two columns. Each time insurgents assaulted his team with small arms fire or rocket propelled grenades, he quickly assessed the situation, determined the best course of action to counter the enemy assaults, and implemented his plan to gain the best tactical advantage. April 5, 1981 - Sept. 29, 2006. 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. Monsoor, a 25-year-old gunner, was killed in the explosion in Ramadi, west of Baghdad. The Navy on Saturday christened the guided missile destroyer USS Michael Monsoor (DDG-1001), named in honor of a Navy SEAL who was awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism in Iraq. 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. This voice says to me: I am patrolling through the streets of Ramadi. On 11 different operations, Petty Officer Monsoor exposed himself to heavy enemy fire while shielding his teammates with suppressive fire. Each time I read of Michael's sacrifice I'm so amazed & heartbroken. He graduated in September 2004 and joined SEAL Team 3 in 2005. 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 was the ultimate teammate. It's still hard for the men he saved - I would say 100% they feel a sense of guilt. They said no to me Jim, for two years, because they're so private. 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. Home Haller Motorworx & Farm Equipment Magazine, AR 479 969-6464 He was not afraid. His leadership, guidance and decisive actions during 11 different combat operations saved the lives of his teammates, other Coalition Forces and Iraqi Army soldiers. Give us a little bit about how George is thinking about this, how the rest of the family is thinking about this? So, Michael willingly volunteered to stay and continue operating. 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. [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. After the engagements, the local populace blocked off the roads in the area with rocks to keep civilians away and to warn insurgents of the presence of his Coalition sniper element. A 28-year-old Lieutenant, who sustained shrapnel wounds to both legs that day, said the following in crediting Monsoor with saving his life: He never took his eye off the grenade his only movement was down toward it. Although only . Kind of related to how that gift continues to ripple forward. Michael Anthony Monsoor was born on 5 April 1981 in Long Beach, CA, the third of four children born to George and Sally Monsoor. 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. 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. Monsoor's position made him the only SEAL on the rooftop with quick access to an escape route. Through this ship: Michael Monsoor will still represent the very best our country has to offer. America's Newest Stealth Destroyer Has The Greatest - The Drive Faced with the choice to save his comrades or save himself, Monsoor threw himself on the grenade, absorbing the impact. New guys are like the bottom of the barrel, right? 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. WHILE THE SEALS VIGILANTLY WATCHED FOR ENEMY ACTIVITY, AN INSURGENT THREW A HAND GRENADE FROM AN UNSEEN LOCATION, WHICH BOUNCED OFF PETTY OFFICER MONSOORS CHEST AND LANDED IN FRONT OF HIM. 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. 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. He was a boy. 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 26th, 2019, the Zumwalt class destroyer. Michael the Archangel by Guido Reni, Santa Maria della Concezione, Rome, 1636. 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. I believe I had the honor and pleasure of meeting Mr. Monsoor there.