cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines, fighting together. The ultimate friend. An incredible athlete, Mike enjoyed snowboarding, body boarding, spear fishing, motorcycle riding, and driving his Corvette. This is what I said: Ladies and gentlemen. Michael A Monsoor | War on Terrorism (Iraq) | U.S. Navy | Medal of As I look at this picture, I hear a voice in a humble but confident tone. Petty Officer 2nd Class Monsoor sacrificed his life to save his comrades by throwing himself on top of a grenade that Iraqi insurgents tossed into their sniper hideout. Words seem insufficient to recognize him as the most honorable, decent, unselfish, brave man who gave his life to save others. Kyle wrote in his 2012 book, "American Sniper," that he punched out a celebrity while mourning the death of Navy SEAL and future Medal of Honor recipient, Master at Arms 2nd Class Michael Monsoor. On September 29, 2006, an insurgent threw a grenade onto a rooftop where Monsoor and several other SEALs and Iraqi soldiers were positioned. Commander John Willink during an evening ceremony at the Navy Memorial honoring the fallen hero.8. Unable to continue, he was forced to ring the bell indicating that a trainee had quit the program. Petty Officer Michael A. Monsoor, United States Navy, distinguished himself through conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a Combat Advisor and Automatic Weapons Gunner for Naval Special Warfare Task Group Arabian Peninsula in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom on 29 September 2006. He was born May 31, 1932. Monsoor died approximately 30 minutes later from wounds sustained from the blast. As we approach the Anniversary of Mikey's sacrifice, I want to tell you about this man. 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 attended Dr. Walter C. Ralston Intermediate School and Garden Grove High School in Garden Grove, California and played tight-end on the school's football team, graduating in 1999. Our strength is our brotherhood. 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. The video, however, shows that the casket was stationary, and the SEALs placed the pins on the casket, then pounded them into the wood. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. "He undoubtedly saved mine and the other SEALs'' lives, and we owe him." His fellow soldiers told how he frequently attended mass with devotion before his operations. His mother, Sally, when visiting him, said he hardly ever stopped running. He flung himself onto the . This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. SEAL's Name", Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Training, jumped onto the grenade, covering it with his body, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia, United States Department of Veterans Affairs, "Complications Grow for Muslims Serving in U.S. Military", "Sailor Killed in Iraq Awarded Medal of Honor", "A Fitting Tribute to a Slain Navy SEAL Gains Attention", "Medal of Honor for Navy Officer in Iraq", "President Bush Attends Medal of Honor Ceremony for Petty Officer Michael A. Monsoor, U.S. Navy", "U.S. Navy Recipients of the Silver Medal for Actions Since September 11, 2001", "Monsoor Avenue, Krulak Way at new vets cemetery", "SECNAV Names New Zumwalt-Class Destroyer USS Michael Monsoor", "Department of the Navy Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 Budget Estimates Justification of Estimates February 2018", "Dedication event for Monsoor Stadium set", "Garden Grove High School dedicates new stadium in honor of fallen war hero", "Navy SEAL who sacrificed life for team honored at school in Southern California", "Navy SEAL's sacrifice earns Medal of Honor", "Pentagon-sourced video clip of White House ceremony honoring Petty Officer Second Class (SEAL) Michael A. Monsoor", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Michael_A._Monsoor&oldid=1146745939, This page was last edited on 26 March 2023, at 18:28. He was the ultimate teammate. Element snipers thwarted the enemy's initial attempt by eliminating two insurgents. [18], A SEAL training facilitylocated about 50 miles (80km) east of San Diegowas renamed Mountain Warfare Training Camp Michael Monsoor. Naval Sea Cadet Corps unit named the "Michael A. Monsoor Battalion" based in Camp Pendleton, California. He also knew that he was two short weeks away from returning home to family and friends. 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. This act of heroism earned him a Silver Star and a reputation for putting others first. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. I miss my mother, my father, my sister, and my brothers. It represents the three aspects of SEAL special operations, sea, air, and land. Share this memorial using social media sites or email. He aggressively stabilized each chaotic situation with focused determination and uncanny tactical awareness. President George W. Bush said at Monsoor's Medal of Honor ceremony, according to Fox News: "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.". Ramadi at the time was the epicenter of the insurgency in Iraq, a city filled with peril. His quiet demeanor and dedication to his friends matched the "Silent Warrior" SEAL mentality that was to become his calling in life. Like most fighting ships, its namesake will be woven into . I want to hold my nieces and nephews again. 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. While vigilantly watching for enemy activity, an enemy fighter hurled a hand grenade onto the roof from an unseen location. [3][5], Monsoor was described as a "quiet professional" and a "fun-loving guy" by those who knew him. Instead, I smile at the Iraqi children when we pass them by. 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. Family and friends can send flowers and/or light a candle as a loving gesture for their loved one. Ex-Navy SEAL Jocko Willink: Remembering Michael Monsoor, who was killed As enemy activity increased, Petty Officer Monsoor took position with his machine gun between two teammates on an outcropping of the roof. 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. THE PRESIDENT: Good afternoon, and welcome. He was 25-year-old Michael Monsoor. To use this feature, use a newer browser. As his Task Unit Commander, I was asked to speak at a ceremony at the Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C., where his parents were presented with the Medal of Honor Flag. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. I enlisted because of people like him, because of people who are willing to fight and die for their fellow man. The moving military funeral of Navy SEAL Mike Monsoor-Truth! 1:09 EVERETT One of the Navy's newest destroyers paid a visit to Puget Sound this weekend. [2] His father also served in the United States military as a Marine. Michael A. Monsoor Obituary - Death Notice and Service Information Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. His selfless, decisive, heroic actions resulted in 25 enemy killed and saved the lives of his teammates, other Coalition Forces and Iraqi Army soldiers. He was also posthumously given the Silver Star for helping carry a wounded team member to safety during an attack, Snopes.com reported. One of Navy's new stealthy destroyers enters Puget Sound for visit 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. 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. That picture says so much. [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. Michael Monsoor is the second Zumwalt-class destroyer to enter the fleet. Michael A. Monsoor has been listed as one of the Warfare good articles under the good article criteria. President Bush Attends Medal of Honor Ceremony for Petty Officer There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. Market data provided by Factset. Snopes.com links to a blog, which gives an individual's account of Suh's funeral and the trident tribute. 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. 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. This act of valor is based on Michael Monsoor's unselfish act that saved his teammates lives and saw him posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. We have set your language to A brotherhood bound by sweat and blood and tears. Petty Officer Monsoor maintained suppressive fire as the wounded SEAL received tactical casualty treatment to his leg. A burial will be held on Wednesday, May 3rd 2023 at the King David Memorial Gardens (7482 Lee Hwy, Falls Church, VA 22042). ", Army Ranger Legend Ralph Puckett Receives Medal of Honor, World War II Hero Charles Coolidge Receives Medal of Honor in 1945, Crews Work to Save WWII Ship Taking on Water, See the Final 'Top Gun: Maverick' Trailer, War Crimes Watch: She's Working to Make Putin Pay, Sniper Videos, Sniper Rifles, Sniper Kills: The Best of the Best. His sacrifice has not gone unnoticed. Medal of Honor - Mike Monsoor | Snopes.com [21][22][23], Michael Monsoor is mentioned in the book of Rorke Denver "Damn Few: Making the Modern SEAL Warrior". A system error has occurred. This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. Monsoor, a 25-year-old gunner, was killed in the explosion in Ramadi, west of Baghdad. You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. He later had an artist make a reproduction of the image in his dream depicting Michael Monsoor in dress blues with a loaded MK 48 Machine gun and silvery wings. "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. It was an appropriate position for a Catholic young man named after the warrior angel, Saint Michael. His father George and older brother Jim had both been proud Marines. At his Oct. 12 funeral, as the e-mail states, Navy SEALs took their trident pins and pounded them into the top of the casket. Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected] if you need help resetting your password. He took a lead position to protect the platoon from frontal assault and the team was frequently involved in engagements with insurgent fighters. FOR CONSPICUOUS GALLANTRY AND INTREPIDITY AT THE RISK OF HIS LIFE ABOVE AND BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY AS AUTOMATIC WEAPONS GUNNER FOR NAVAL SPECIAL WARFARE TASK GROUP ARABIAN PENINSULA, IN SUPPORT OF OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM ON 29 SEPTEMBER 2006. A reception will be held on Thursday, May 4th 2023 from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM at the Eagle Hall at St. John. Monsoor was awarded the Silver Star for this action,[5][8] and was also awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his service in Iraq. Petty Officer Monsoor's actions could not have been more selfless or clearly intentional. Monsoor died on Sept. 29, 2006, and was buried in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego. As the coffin passed each SEAL, they slapped down the gold Trident each had removed from his own uniform and deeply embedded it into the wooden coffin. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. Collectively it weighed more than 100 pounds. Michael Monsoor is a hero for all the world to know about and appreciate. Yes, the basic account is true, according to various Navy reports and fact-checking sources, although a few details in the e-mail are inaccurate. . (U.S. Navy video by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Danian Douglas and Austin Rooney/Released). MASTER AT ARMS SECOND CLASS, SEA, AIR and LANDMICHAEL A. MONSOOR Monsoor was severely wounded and although evacuated immediately, he died 30 minutes later. This browser does not support getting your location. He will inspire the crew, just as he inspired his teammates. Weve updated the security on the site. 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. ), As President George W. Bush said of the event during the April 2008 Medal of Honor ceremony, "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.". In the early morning, insurgents prepared to execute a coordinated attack by reconnoitering the area around the element's position. And death. Black Vietnam Vet Finally Awarded Medal of Honor, The Bravery of Medal of Honor Recipient Tech Sgt. 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. 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. Nearly 60 years after he was first recommended for the nations highest military award, retired Col. Paris Davis, one Tech Sgt. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. Positioned near the only exit, with an MK 48 machine gun in hand, he was providing security for two SEAL snipers who lay in prone positions on either side of him. From here we almost lose our breath as we follow the rapid upward trajectory his life would take. Margaret Monsoor Obituary (1927 - 2021) | Sandy, Utah - Echovita Verify and try again. Chris Kyle and 'American Sniper' | Snopes.com On January 26, 2019, the U.S. Navy commissioned a ship named the USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001). Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? 230421-n-mh015-1158 Are you sure that you want to delete this photo? And in this shipand in its crewMikeys spirit will live on. 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). This was a fitting send-off for a warrior hero. It is merely questioning whether the photo with the e-mail was of Monsoor's casket. The same photo is there. Michael threw caution to the wind and ran directly into the line of fire to help the injured soldier. Failed to report flower. In April 2006 he was sent to Iraq on his first tour of duty. There is a problem with your email/password. I know because my father and brother were also gruntsproud Marine riflemen. With the only exit door at his back, a live grenade at his feet and two Navy Seals in front of him he was faced with the hardest decision of his life. 190126-N-XN177-1115 SAN DIEGO (Jan. 26, 2019) Sailors stand in formation during the commissioning ceremony for the guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001), Jan. 26, 2019. Immediately, Monsoor yelled "Grenade!" and jumped onto the grenade, covering it with his body. 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. This material may not be reproduced without permission. [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]. They are words which I feel Michael Monsoor is saying to every American who appreciates the unbelievable sacrifice he made in a faraway land. Many of my brothers have fallen. This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. 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. Michael Monsoor is the second Zumwalt-class destroyer to enter the fleet. 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. [5][6], A grenade was thrown onto the rooftop by an insurgent on the street below. 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. This should be front-page news instead of the crap we see everyday. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Is this story true? Snopes.com, a nonpartisan well-respected Web site that confirms or debunks rumors and urban legends, did report that it is not clear whether the photo of the casket embedded with trident pins that accompanies the e-mail was taken at Monsoor's burial ceremony. Anticipating further attacks, Monsoor, three SEAL snipers and three Iraqi Army soldiers took up a rooftop position. Monsoor died on Sept. 29, 2006, and was buried in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Origins: On 29 September 2006, 25-year-old Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael A. Monsoor (MA2, not EOD2 as stated above) was killed during operations in enemy-held territory at Ar Ramadi, Iraq, when he threw himself on top of a grenade in order to save the lives of his fellow SEALS. The Zumwalt class stealth destroyer USS Michael Monsoor spotted leaving San Diego on April 20, 2021, with a large satellite communications dome on its rear flight deck., @cjr1321 via @Warshipcam . He was only the second SEAL to die in Iraq since the war began. On that day, he was on a rooftop over-watch in . He also helped load his wounded teammate into a High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle for evacuation, then returned to combat. The grenade exploded seconds later and Monsoor's body absorbed most of the force of the blast. He was gifted at everything he did, hard-working, funny, and selfless. 1995 - 2023 by Snopes Media Group Inc. Monsoor was severely wounded and although evacuated immediately, he died 30 minutes later. Penned together, all five were easy prey for the grenade's deadly spray of shrapnel. 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. Named for a Medal of Honor recipient and Navy SEAL, USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001) will be commissioned Jan. 25. 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. I have looked at this picture over and over again and it speaks to me. Some of details in the email are inaccurate.Petty Officer Second Class Mike Monsoor was a US Navy SEAL assigned to Task Unit Bravo in Ar Ramadi in Iraq. THE ENEMY CONTINUED TO ASSAULT THE ELEMENT, ENGAGING THEM WITH A ROCKET-PROPELLED GRENADE AND SMALL ARMS FIRE. As for his family, please accept my deepest sympathy. Long Beach, Los Angeles County, California, USA. 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. The following month, his rating changed from Quartermaster to Master-at-Arms, and he was assigned to SEAL Team 3 Delta Platoon. I am patrolling the streets of Ramadi My eyes sting from the sweat, my gun and gear are heavy but these things do not bother me. He was a loyal friend and exceptional SEAL, and he is sorely missed by his brothers in Task Unit Bravo. As gun fire chewed up the asphalt around him, Michael snatched the wounded soldier from the jaws of death with one arm, returned enemy fire with the other and then dragged him to safety. Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. Mike was also a SEAL communicator. In April 2008, Monsoor was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions. The grenade hit Monsoor in the chest and fell onto the floor. and jumped onto the grenade, covering it with his body. Because there is nothing more important to me than my family. At his funeral in San Diego, California, SEALs lined up on both sides of the route of the pallbearers and loudly slapped gold tridents from their uniforms on the wooden casket as a tribute to their fallen comrade.The Truth:The story is true and, despite the comment about not being reported by the media, was given coverage by several news outlets across the U.S. including Fox news. He immediately leapt to his feet and yelled "grenade" to alert his teammates of impending danger, but they could not evacuate the sniper 1. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/15971597/michael-anthony-monsoor. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions on 29 September 2006. The citation accompanying the medal describes how he exposed himself to heavy enemy fire while shielding his teammates with suppressive fire. The name of Petty Officer Michael Anthony Monsoor will now be among them. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions.

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