[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. He was located closest to the egress route out of the sniper hide-sight watching for enemy activity through a tactical periscope over the parapet wall. 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. If you are proud too, please pass this on. Michael enlisted in the U.S. Navy March 21, 2001, and attended Basic Training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. Wasp is underway conducting basic phase inspections and assessments. Claim: Account describes Navy SEALs' funereal tribute to Medal of Honor recipient Mike Monsoor. His sacrifice has not gone unnoticed. In so doing, he saved the lives of three Navy SEALS and eight Iraqi soldiers. His face is calm, almost smilingdespite the obvious chaos and danger around him. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions on 29 September 2006. (U.S. Navy photo Mass Communication. In April 2006 he was sent to Iraq on his first tour of duty. This browser does not support getting your location. [21][22][23], Michael Monsoor is mentioned in the book of Rorke Denver "Damn Few: Making the Modern SEAL Warrior". IN THE EARLY MORNING, INSURGENTS PREPARED TO EXECUTE A COORDINATED ATTACK BY RECONNOITERING THE AREA AROUND THE ELEMENT'S POSITION. Shortly thereafter, an enemy fighter shot a rocket-propelled grenade at his building. Vast swaths of Ukraine have been transformed into potential crime scenes. The SEALs fired back and stood their ground. [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. 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. Legal Statement. His fellow soldiers told how he frequently attended mass with devotion before his operations. He deployed with his platoon to Iraq in April 2006 in support of OperationIraqi Freedom, and was assigned to Task Unit Bravo in Ar Ramadi. He was an adventuresome boy growing up in Southern California. His boyhood dream of being a SEAL began to be realized when, at 20 years of age, he joined the Navy. Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. 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. I know the importance of family because there is nothing more important to me, than my family. His life and unfortunate death are . GREAT NEWS! "He undoubtedly saved mine and the other SEALs'' lives, and we owe him." [17], In October 2008, United States Secretary of the Navy Donald C. Winter announced that the second ship in the Zumwalt class of destroyers would be named USSMichael Monsoor(DDG-1001) in honor of Petty Officer Monsoor. Penned together, all five were easy prey for the grenade's deadly spray of shrapnel. 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. Snopes.com links to a blog, which gives an individual's account of Suh's funeral and the trident tribute. I have looked at this picture over and over again and it speaks to me. Michael Monsoor was there in the midst of it all. Michael Monsoor was immediately evacuated to a battalion aid station. [7] After BUD/S, he completed advanced SEAL training courses including parachute training at Basic Airborne School, cold weather combat training in Kodiak, Alaska, and six months of SEAL Qualification Training in Coronado, California, graduating in March 2005. Having already endured so many hardships and numerous brushes with death no one would have faulted him had he chosen a path to safety. Monsoor yelled, "Grenade!" and made a snap decision that would mark him for all time. I enlisted because of people like him, because of people who are willing to fight and die for their fellow man. Try again. Monsoor was severely wounded and although evacuated immediately, he died 30 minutes later. It represents the three aspects of SEAL special operations, sea, air, and land. Michael Monsoor is a hero for all the world to know about and appreciate. 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. Positioned next to the single exit, Monsoor was the only one who could have escaped harm. An emotional Donald Winter quoted a passage from scripture already remembered by so many to describe Michael Monsoor. MASTER AT ARMS SECOND CLASS, SEA, AIR and LANDMICHAEL A. MONSOOR Is this story true? And just as Mikey Monsoor did, the USS Michael Monsoor will go forward, willingly into harms wayand will stand tall without hesitation or regrets and face down evil and malevolence, saying boldly to the world: I WILL DEFEND. Family and friends must say goodbye to their beloved Margaret Monsoor (Sandy, Utah), born in Morgantown, West Virginia, who passed away at the age of 94, on August 8, 2021. 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. 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. He then reentered a grueling SEAL program where only 23% pass, graduated at the top in the class of 2005 and was assigned to Delta Platoon. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. MA2 Michael Monsoor Memorial Ceremony 307 views Feb 10, 2020 4 Dislike Share Save Lindsey J 37 subscribers Naval Technical Training Center Lackland honors fallen SEAL MA2 Michael Monsoor in. Mike had a clear chance to escape, but he realized that the other two SEALs did not. 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. 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. Mike and two teammates had taken position on the outcropping of a rooftop when an insurgent grenade bounced off Mike's chest and landed on the roof. While moving toward extraction, the Iraqi Army and Naval Special Warfare overwatch team received effective enemy automatic weapons fire resulting in one SEAL wounded in action. They are words which I feel Michael Monsoor is saying to every American who appreciates the unbelievable sacrifice he made in a faraway land. A fellow Navy Seal who knew and trained with Monsoor told TruthorFiction.com that he had already earned a Silver Star for Bravery and a Bronze Star for separate acts of valor. 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. Iraq War Medal of Honor Recipient. Please enter your email and password to sign in. 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. Everyone in the unit knows Petty Officer Michael A. Monsoor's career history and shares it with all new cadets. by Norman Fulkerson May 22, 2008. Requiescate in pace. When we encounter Iraqi families I treat them with respect and dignity. 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. 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. 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. 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. STEVE INSKEEP, host: The White House is about to bestow the highest military award on a Navy SEAL from Southern California. He will receive the award for his actions in Ar Ramadi, Iraq on Sept. 29, 2006. As extraordinary as all of this is, it was merely a prelude to the defining moment of his life in the rooftop over-watch. Immediately, Petty Officer Monsoor, with complete disregard for his own safety, exposed himself to heavy enemy fire in order to provide suppressive fire and fight his way to the wounded SEAL's position. On January 26, 2019, the U.S. Navy commissioned a ship named the USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001). When we encounter Iraqi families, I treat them with respect and dignity. He was born May 31, 1932. [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. David Mikkelson founded the site now known as snopes.com back in 1994. Forrest Vosler received the Medal of Honor for saving the life of another airman despite his catastrophic President Joe Biden on Thursday presented the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military award for valor in combat Jon and Andrew Erwin's grandfather Henry Eugene "Red" Erwin, Sr. was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his President Joe Biden presents the Medal of Honor to retired Army Col. Ralph Puckett Jr. for conspicuous gallantry during Charles H. Coolidge passed away April 6, 2021 at the age of 99. He is buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego. 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.
Andrea Trower Spouse,
Squamous Esophageal Mucosa With Mild Reactive Changes,
Wordscapes Tournament Bots,
Articles M