SEAL falls on grenade to save comrades
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  1. #1

    Thumbs up SEAL falls on grenade to save comrades

    For conspcious gallantry above and beyond the call of duty..........



    By THOMAS WATKINS
    Associated Press Writer






    CORONADO, Calif. (AP) -- 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.

    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.

    "He never took his eye off the grenade, his only movement was down toward it," said a 28-year-old lieutenant who sustained shrapnel wounds to both legs that day. "He undoubtedly saved mine and the other SEALs' lives, and we owe him."

    Monsoor, a 25-year-old gunner, was killed in the explosion in Ramadi, west of Baghdad. He was only the second SEAL to die in Iraq since the war began.




    Two SEALs next to Monsoor were injured; another who was 10 to 15 feet from the blast was unhurt. The four had been working with Iraqi soldiers providing sniper security while U.S. and Iraqi forces conducted missions in the area.

    In an interview at the SEALs' West Coast headquarters in Coronado, four members of the special force remembered "Mikey" as a loyal friend and a quiet, dedicated professional.

    "He was just a fun-loving guy," said a 26-year-old petty officer 2nd class who went through the grueling 29-week SEAL training with Monsoor. "Always got something funny to say, always got a little mischievous look on his face."

    Other SEALS described the Garden Grove, Calif., native as a modest and humble man who drew strength from his family and his faith. His father and brother are former Marines, said a 31-year-old petty officer 2nd class.

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    Prior to his death, Monsoor had already demonstrated courage under fire. He has been posthumously awarded the Silver Star for his actions May 9 in Ramadi, when he and another SEAL pulled a team member shot in the leg to safety while bullets pinged off the ground around them.

    Monsoor's funeral was held Thursday at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego. He has also been submitted for an award for his actions the day he died.

    The first Navy SEAL to die in Iraq was Petty Officer 2nd Class Marc A. Lee, 28, who was killed Aug. 2 in a firefight while on patrol against insurgents in Ramadi. Navy spokesman Lt. Taylor Clark said the low number of deaths among SEALs in Iraq is a testament to their training.

    Sixteen SEALs have been killed in Afghanistan. Eleven of them died in June 2005 when a helicopter was shot down near the Pakistan border while ferrying reinforcements for troops pursuing al-Qaida militants.

    There are about 2,300 of the elite fighters, based in Coronado and Little Creek, Va.

    The Navy is trying to boost that number by 500 - a challenge considering more than 75 percent of candidates drop out of training, notorious for "Hell Week," a five-day stint of continual drills by the ocean broken by only four hours sleep total. Monsoor made it through training on his second attempt.


  2. #2
    I cross-trained and became friends with many SEALS....
    R.I.P.


  3. #3
    Marine Free Member rb1651's Avatar
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    Rest In Peace, Warrior.


  4. #4
    Marine Platinum Member Seeley's Avatar
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    Say hi to my brothers in Heaven warrior. You've done your job. Rest easy.




  5. #5

    Moh

    why havent we heard about the Marine that did the same thing over a year ago?


  6. #6
    The Marine Cpl who did the same thing a while back received the Navy Cross. He shoulda got the COM, but it got bumped down and it agitated alot of people. Unfortunately the same will probably happen with this hero. God thank the Navy for their SEALS and Corpsmen. Rest in peace SEAL, we'll see you on the other side.


  7. #7
    Quote Originally Posted by SamJohnston
    Congressional Medal of Honor anyone?
    Oorah, Seconded.

    Semper Fi.

    M.A.R.I.N.E.S. (Marines Aren't Ready In Navy Elite Seals (yet)) As opposed to the Army (Aren't Ready to be Marines Yet).

    Navy Seals are one Navy guys that I would defer to in total humility. I truly believe that he should be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.


  8. #8
    in 2004 marine Corproal Jason Dunham put his helmet on a gernade and laid down on it while in iraq and died and has had a book printed about him and he has been put up for the medal of honor

    p.s. the book is the gift of valor


  9. #9

    Navy Seal deserves Medal cf Honor

    I am just finishing reading the book, Lone survivor,and these Seals are the REAL DEAL.This is a great book,and i would highly recommend it to anyone.Maybe sometime in the future they will re consider and award him the CMO that he justly deserves!! Jack246


  10. #10
    Corpsman Free Member
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    THANK-YOU, JACK246!!!!!.......Doc Greek


  11. #11
    He was awarded the Medal of Honor on April 8th , 2008 . Posthumously of course to his family.

    http://www.navy.mil/moh/monsoor/


  12. #12
    I have much respect for the corpsman and the few seals i have met in my life they have been amazing people


  13. #13
    Rest in peace, fellow warrior. Your work here is done, so that others may continue on.


  14. #14
    Corpsman Free Member
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    SAY, LEONARD.....when are you going to shove that M-14 into your F**KING cake hole, and blow your brains all over the back wall of the head????? Interesting, that you picked THAT name! No-one has ever questioned your use of a phony name???HHHMMMMMMM!!!! ANYONE THAT ANSWERS YOUR POST'S, IS AS BIG OF AN AZZHOLE, AS YOU!!!!......HOW'S THAT???.....YOU SHMUCK!....GUESS WHO??


  15. #15
    Doc Greek,

    Don't want to take up any space here. I sent you an email! Thanks for the encouragement! Much needed!


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