US Navy Seal Mike Monsoor - Awarded the Medal of Honor

[thedrifter]

US Navy Seal Mike Monsoor - Awarded the Medal of Honor
Posted By Blackfive

"I can honestly say that as a Pastor I rarely find myself "speechless". However this is one of those times. After viewing the video tribute to Mike Monsoor I am just that...Speechless. There are no words to express the profound sadness and yet great...pride, honor, appreciation, humility, indebtedness, glory, at the sacrifice of this young man. Know that this story will be retold at least from one pulpit this next Sunday and that the prayers of at least one Church will go out for the family and friends of this great soldier. May God bless you for the work of proclaiming this great sacrifice and promoting what is great about the people of our Armed Services." - Baptist Minister from Memphis, Tennessee, in an email to us at Blackfive about US Navy SEAL Mike Monsoor.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfK2B...y-seal-mi.html

How are we best to tell the story of Michael Monsoor - a man who's sacrifice inspired a preacher to tell his story from the pulpit?

We'll begin at the end this time because, while many of us believe that it's how you lived that matters, how you leave this world can matter just as much.

Saving three of your brothers by giving your life...could you do that? Mike Monsoor gave three friends their lives that day.

As you will see, the embodiment of the idea of brotherhood is what Mike was all about...

From the US Navy:

Petty Officer Second Class (SEAL)
Michael Anthony Monsoor
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. He has an older brother James and older sister Sara, and a younger brother Joseph.

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. An incredible athlete, Mike enjoyed snowboarding, body boarding, spear fishing, motorcycle riding, and driving his Corvette. His quiet demeanor and dedication to his friends matched the “Silent Warrior” SEAL mentality that was to become his calling in life.

Michael enlisted in the U.S. Navy March 21, 2001, and attended Basic Training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. 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.

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.

After BUD/S, he completed advanced SEAL training courses including parachute training at Basic Airborne School, Fort Benning, Ga., cold weather combat training in Kodiak, Alaska, and six months of SEAL Qualification Training in Coronado, graduating in March 2005.

The following month, his rating changed from Quartermaster to Master-at-Arms, and he was assigned to SEAL Team 3 Delta Platoon. He deployed with his platoon to Iraq in April 2006 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and was assigned to Task Unit Bravo in Ar Ramadi.

From April to Sept. 29, 2006, Mike served as a heavy weapons machine gunner in Delta Platoon, SEAL Team 3. 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.

Mike was also a SEAL communicator. On 15 operations, he carried a rucksack full of communications equipment in addition to his machinegun and full ammunition load-out. Collectively it weighed more than 100 pounds. He bore the weight without a single complaint, even in the midst of the 130 degree Western Iraqi summer.

Mike and his platoon operated in a highly contested part of Ramadi city called the Ma’laab district. During their deployment, Mike and his fellow SEALS came under enemy attack on 75 percent of their missions. On May 9, 2006 Mike rescued a SEAL who was shot in the leg. He ran out into the street with another SEAL, shot cover fire and dragged his comrade to safety while enemy bullets kicked up the concrete at their feet. For this brave action, he earned a Silver Star.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy as a Platoon Machine Gunner, Naval Special Warfare Task Group - Arabian Peninsula, Task Force Ramadi, Iraq on 9 May 2006. Petty Officer Monsoor was the Platoon Machine Gunner of an overwatch element, providing security for an Iraqi Army Brigade during counter-insurgency operations. While moving toward extraction, the Iraqi Army and Naval Special Warfare overwatch team receive effective enemy automatic weapons fire resulting in one SEAL wounded in action. Immediately, Petty Officer Monsoor, with complete disregard for his own safety, expose himself to heavy enemy fire in order to provide suppressive fire and fight his way to the wounded SEAL's position. He continued to provide effective suppressive fire while simultaneously dragging the wounded SEAL to safety. Petty Officer Monsoor maintained suppressive fire as the wounded SEAL received tactical casualty treatment to his leg. He also helped load his wounded teammate into a High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle for evacuation, then returned to combat. by his bold initiative, undaunted courage, and complete dedication to duty, Petty Officer Monsoor reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The enemy could not deter Michael and his SEAL platoon. They fought in 35 heated firefights; during these incidents Mike shot tens of thousands of 7.62 millimeter rounds to cover Delta Platoon’s movement through streets that seemed to be paved with fire. In the Ma’laab district, Michael perfected his skills as an urban machine gunner. 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.

Delta Platoon executed a broad spectrum of combat operations in and around Ramadi. They patrolled bravely through the city streets engaging in firefights while on other occasions, they ambushed insurgent mortar teams near the banks of the Euphrates River. Mike and his fellow SEALs accounted for 84 enemy fighters killed in action and the detainment of numerous insurgents. 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.

Petty Officer Monsoor was subsequently awarded the Bronze Star as the Task Unit Ramadi, Iraq Combat Advisor from April to September 2006. His leadership, guidance and decisive actions during 11 different combat operations saved the lives of his teammates, other Coalition Forces and Iraqi Army soldiers.

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. On 11 different operations, Petty Officer Monsoor exposed himself to heavy enemy fire while shielding his teammates with suppressive fire. He aggressively stabilized each chaotic situation with focused determination and uncanny tactical awareness. 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. His selfless, decisive, heroic actions resulted in 25 enemy killed and save the lives of his teammates, other Coalition Forces, and Iraqi Army soldiers. By his extraordinary guidance, zealous initiative, and total dedication to duty, Petty Officer Monsoor reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

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. He will receive the award for his actions in Ar Ramadi, Iraq on Sept. 29, 2006. On that day, Monsoor was part of a sniper overwatch security position with three other SEALs and eight Iraqi Army (IA) soldiers. An insurgent closed in and threw a fragmentation grenade into the overwatch position. The grenade hit Monsoor in the chest before falling to the ground. Positioned next to the single exit, Monsoor was the only one who could have escaped harm. Instead, he dropped onto the grenade to shield the others from the blast. Monsoor died approximately 30 minutes later from wounds sustained from the blast. Because of Petty Officer Monsoor’s actions, he saved the lives of his 3 teammates and the IA soldiers.

Though he carried himself in a calm and composed fashion, he constantly led the charge to bring the fight to the enemy. His teammates recall his sense of loyalty to God, family, and his team. 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.

Mike was one of the bravest men on the battlefield, never allowing the enemy to discourage him. 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. He was a loyal friend and exceptional SEAL, and he is sorely missed by his brothers in Task Unit Bravo.

He is survived by his mother Sally, his father George, his sister Sara, and his two brothers James and Joseph.

On October 12th, 2006, Froggy posted about his attendance at Mike's funeral:

I had the distinct honor and privilege of attending the memorial service for PO2 (SEAL) Michael Monsoor yesterday at the First Presbyterian Church in San Diego. Being in the presence of so many true warriors to celebrate the heroic death of one of our own was utterly humbling and poignant. Information about Mike's death in Ramadi on 29 Sep 06 has been sketchy in the media, but the story of this man's service and his death is one that deserves not only to be told, but to be celebrated and certainly never forgotten.

First of all, Mike grew up in Garden Grove, CA (Orange County) with his parents and two brothers and one sister. His father is a Vietnam veteran and one of his brothers served in the Marine Corps. Speaker after speaker at the service took special care to recognize Mike's family and to make the connection between his character and his family's quiet service and patriotism. One of Mike's teammates said, "These are the people that I'm fighting to protect." I spent a few moments with his mother afterwards and her grace and composure under such difficult circumstances clearly demonstrated the genesis of Mike's own calmness and resolve under fire and inspired me to continue to instill these traits in my own children.

SEAL Team THREE deployed to Iraq last Spring and within a month of arriving, Mike had already distinguished himself. As one of the platoon machine gunners, Mike made quite an impression on the battlefield. On May 9, 2006 a teammate was shot in the legs, immobile, and exposed. Suppressing enemy fire with his M60, Mike fought his way to his wounded comrade's position and dragged him out of the line of fire while maintaining constant pressure on enemy insurgents with his weapon. That action earned him a Silver Star... in the first month of his first deployment.

Fast forward to the final weeks of that deployment and Mike along with two fellow SEALs were occupying an overwatch position on a rooftop in the Mulab district of Ramadi which is basically the most dangerous neighborhood of the most dangerous city in Iraq. A hidden enemy managed to toss a grenade onto the rooftop near the three SEALs, and Mike without hesitation warned his comrades verbally before placing himself in a position to block the lethal blast of the grenade from killing his teammates. One of the SEALs he saved said that Mike's countenance was completely calm and he showed no fear only resolve. No short timer's disease infecting this man, he had only a couple of weeks remaining in the deployment and he did not flinch at the moment of truth.

On the rostrum, all three SEALs whose lives Mike personally saved hobbled up together to thank Michael and his family for their very existence and to show their family's gratitude for sparing them the grief that Michael's family is now experiencing. I have never witnessed something as special and inspiring in my entire life-I have never even heard of such a thing happening before. Michael's sister Sara told of a vision that she had upon hearing the news that her brother had died a hero's death saving his brothers. She said that she saw a puzzle missing its final piece being completed by an unseen hand and that its visage was that of her brother. His actions, his deeds, his sacrifice were the culmination of a lifetime of preparation to go forth into combat and distinguish himself above and beyond the call of duty.

Michael was a Christian man, raised in the Catholic Church and was often seen attending Mass before leaving the FOB on operations. His parents named him after the Archangel Michael-the great protector whose mission was to protect the world from the satanic forces of evil. Saint Michael's Day is celebrated on September 29, the day Mike gave his life for his friends.

I will be meeting with my Congressman next week in order to advocate that Mike is nominated for the Congressional Medal of Honor.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vL5a...blackfive.net/

Words cannot describe our gratitude and thankfulness that men like Mike Monsoor lived among us.

Ellie

[thedrifter]

Supreme sacrifice

Family of Navy SEAL Michael Anthony Monsoor will accept Medal of Honor for selfless act of heroism in Iraq
By Paul M. Krawzak
UNION-TRIBUNE U-T WASHINGTON BUREAU

April 8, 2008

When a grenade hit his body and landed near his feet on a rooftop in Ramadi, Iraq, Navy SEAL Michael Anthony Monsoor could have escaped in time.

Monsoor, a Coronado-based sailor, stood close to an exit. He could have ducked out quickly, unlike the three American snipers and several Iraqi soldiers on the roof with him. He was scheduled to return to the United States in a week or two.

But in a move that doesn't surprise people who knew him, Monsoor yelled “Grenade!” and jumped on the explosive. He died within a half-hour of suffering extensive injuries. His sacrifice saved the other service members that day – Sept. 29, 2006.

For his heroism, Monsoor today will become the third Iraq war recipient of the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest distinction for combat valor. He also will be the first member of the Navy to receive the honor during the Iraq war.

President Bush will present the medal to Monsoor's parents, George and Sally Monsoor of Garden Grove in central Orange County, at a White House ceremony. Also expected to attend are Monsoor's siblings – sister Sara and brothers James and Joseph.

Sara Monsoor, whom the family asked to speak with reporters, remembered her late brother as a man “solid in his beliefs” but one who didn't try to preach patriotism.

“If others didn't want to join in, he was OK with that,” she said. “He chose to live his life a certain way and he really stuck to that.”

She recalled that Monsoor never discussed the perils of his combat tour in phone calls or e-mails to his loved ones. The family came to Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in Point Loma on Friday to visit his grave.

“We just don't take anything for granted (now),” Sara Monsoor said, fighting back tears during a recent interview. “Even though you get busy with your day-to-day things, it's important to really keep in contact with people and make sure that they know they are important to you.”

Monsoor was born in Long Beach, then moved with his family to Garden Grove. He graduated from Garden Grove High School in 1999.

He wasn't an “A” student, his former teachers remembered. But they liked him because he studied hard and treated others with respect.

Monsoor had a particular interest in World War II, the Vietnam War and the Marine Corps, said Ken Frank, his 11th-grade U.S. history teacher.

“He was a real pleasant kid who had a lot of energy,” Frank said.

Kris Van Hook, Monsoor's football coach, said he didn't stand out as either a tight end or defensive end.

“He wasn't real big and not a real great athlete,” Van Hook said. “He was just the kind of guy who worked really, really hard.”

One of his teammates, Ricardo Cepeda, recalled Monsoor as setting a high standard for effort and excellence.

“He was always . . . pushing others to be better than what they were,” Cepeda said.

That persistence and drive to improve marked his career with the Navy as well.

Monsoor joined the Navy in 2001, continuing a family tradition of military service. His father and brother James were Marines, and his grandfather George was in the Navy.

He decided to strive for a spot with the SEALs – elite fighters known for their physical prowess, endurance and versatility. He withdrew during his first tryout after breaking a heel.

When he tried again in 2004, he graduated near the top of his class. He was a petty officer second class when he died at age 25.

“I truly thought he was the toughest member of my platoon,” said Navy Lt. Cmdr. Seth Stone, his platoon commander in Iraq.

As a machine gunner and radio operator in Ramadi, Monsoor had to haul gear weighing more than 100 pounds in the searing desert heat of Anbar province.

“He did his job continually without ever complaining,” Stone said.

Family members, friends and fellow SEALs remember Monsoor as laser-focused on his military service but also fun-loving. They said he liked to spend weekends body boarding in the ocean, spear fishing and riding his motorcycle.

“Mike was two different personas,” said Navy Special Operator 1st Class Tom DeShazo, who was Monsoor's roommate for the last two years of his life and served with him in Iraq.

“When he was at work, he was all business,” DeShazo said. But during down time, “He'd pull a joke on you and be laughing in the corner after you had sat there and figured it out.”

Monsoor distinguished himself almost immediately upon arriving in Iraq as part of SEAL Team Three in April 2006.

On May 9 of that year, he dragged a wounded SEAL to safety while being exposed to enemy fire. Monsoor earned a Silver Star, the third highest honor for combat bravery, for that rescue.

He also received a Bronze Star for helping to safeguard fellow troops on 11 occasions by risking death from enemy fire to unleash his own suppressive fire, according to a Navy citation.

“It's not surprising to me that Mike would sacrifice himself for his platoon mates because that's how he was as a player,” said Van Hook, the football coach. “He always put the team first.”

Monsoor's ultimate sacrifice occurred shortly after a firefight in Ramadi, then considered the hotbed of Iraq's Sunni insurgency. His SEAL unit had engaged in fierce battles over the past six months, killing dozens of insurgents and capturing many others.

Acting as a machine gunner, Monsoor went up to the rooftop of a building to provide cover for troops erecting barricades on the street below. His goal was to help restrict the movement of insurgents in the area.

Monsoor positioned himself between two SEAL snipers. From an unseen location, an insurgent tossed a grenade onto the roof. It struck Monsoor in the chest and bounced onto the deck.

“Without hesitation and showing no regard for his own life, he threw himself onto the grenade, smothering it to protect his teammates who were lying in close proximity,” the Navy said in a citation. “The grenade detonated as he came down on top of it, mortally wounding him.”

Two other SEALs sustained serious wounds, but they have recovered fully.

DeShazo said the death of his roommate and friend has “motivated me to be . . . a better member of the military and to devote myself to my country's service.”

Later this week, officials at Fort Rosecrans will put up a new headstone for Monsoor. The marker will indicate his final accolade – the Medal of Honor.

Paul M. Krawzak reports for Copley News Service.

Ellie

[OLD_SALT]

I could not hold back my tears as I watched and heard our president read Petty Officer Michael Monsoor's story. When president Bush told of Michaels funeral, and how the SEALS took their Tridents off and placed them on his coffin, I totally lost it.

BRAVO ZULU Sailor, Fair Winds and Following Seas..

[bigdog43701]

Rest In Peace Warrior, Rest In Peace

[ssgtt32]

Old Salt, they did not place there tridents on the coffin, they PINNED them!

Fair winds and following seas warrior!

Maurice

[sparkie]

My tears don't help,,,,, But my pride,,,,,,,,,,God bless.

[SGT7477]

Rest in Peace.

[phantasm]

Fair winds and following Seas Petty Officer. Thank you.

[OLD_SALT]

Old Salt, they did not place there tridents on the coffin, they PINNED them!

Fair winds and following seas warrior!

Maurice

I stand corrected ssgtt32. Thank you..

Mike

[thedrifter]

Thursday, April 10, 2008


Fallen Navy SEAL awarded Medal of Honor


By Jeff Schogol, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Thursday, April 10, 2008

WASHINGTON — A tear rolled down President Bush’s cheek as the citation for Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael A. Monsoor was read Tuesday in the East Room of the White House.

Monsoor, a Navy SEAL, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor on Tuesday for jumping on a grenade to save his buddies.

“One of the survivors puts it this way, ‘Mikey looked death in the face that day and said, “You cannot take my brothers, I will go in their stead,”’” Bush said Tuesday.

Monsoor is the fourth servicemember to be awarded the Medal of Honor in the global war on terror.

Like Monsoor, the other three servicemembers received the award posthumously: Army Sgt. 1st Class Paul Ray Smith, Marine Cpl. Jason Dunham, and Navy Lt. Michael Murphy, who was also a SEAL.

Monsoor had previously been awarded the Silver Star for dragging a wounded SEAL to safety while under fire. With the Medal of Honor, he is the most highly decorated servicemember in the war on terror.

Bush recalled Tuesday how Monsoor suffered from asthma as a child, but he strengthened his lungs by swimming to become a stellar athlete.

Eventually, Monsoor would take on the extreme physical challenge of Navy SEAL training, determined to make it, Bush said.

And on Sept. 29, 2006, Monsoor would lay down his life for his fellow SEALs.

“The Medal of Honor is awarded for an act of such courage that no one could rightly be expected to undertake it. Yet those who knew Michael Monsoor were not surprised when he did,” Bush said.

Monsoor was in Ramadi when an insurgent lobbed a grenade onto the roof where Monsoor and his team were positioned. It hit Monsoor in the chest before bouncing to the ground, according to a summary of his actions provided by the Navy.

“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 summary of action said.

Monsoor had a chance to escape, but he knew that the other SEALs did not, so he threw himself on the grenade, Bush said on Tuesday.

“In that terrible moment, he had two options: To save himself or to save his friends,” Bush said. “For Mike, there was no choice at all.”

Bush’s upper lip began to tremble after he told Monsoor’s parents that the United States owes them a debt that cannot be repaid.

His voice began to break as he said: “And this nation will always honor the sacrifice he made. May God comfort you. May God Bless America.”

Ellie

[thewookie]

I look at acts like this, and running in, up, or through a hail gunfire for a comrade, as the single most heroic act that a man can do. I would be proud to serve with this SEAL. Thank you for your service and rest in peace.

[FistFu68]

ALL GAVE SOME~SOME GAVE ALL

[Bruce59]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=CfK2BQCIIes

Bruce

[Cpl Keller]

Michael A. Monsoor is a prime example of what makes America's military the best in the world. He made the supreme sacrifice, willingly, unhesitatingly, to save his brothers.

RIP- you are a true hero.