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. - Source But fear is no match for my Faith. 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. Shortly thereafter, an enemy fighter shot a rocket-propelled grenade at his building. I've been in the industry for about 15 years now, and nothing has been as meaningful to me as Michael's story - to really kind of uncover it and now share it with the world. He also helped load his wounded teammate into a High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle for evacuation, then returned to combat. [5][6], Monsoor enlisted in the United States Navy on March 24, 2001, and attended Basic Training at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, Illinois. Michael was so quiet. He will receive the award for his actions in Ar Ramadi, Iraq on Sept. 29, 2006. He was Catholic and he found this incredible priest. In that split second, which is all that he had, he jumped on top of it and shielded the blast with his own body. 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. As you tell the story in "Defend Us in Battle," it seemed like the guys knew he knew he was taking on this extra responsibility to have their back. Monsoor was awarded the Silver Star for this action,[5][8] and was also awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his service in Iraq. Don't consider yourself a loser. Give us a little bit about how George is thinking about this, how the rest of the family is thinking about this? I thought that was beautiful and respectful. Anticipating further attacks, Monsoor, three SEAL snipers and three Iraqi Army soldiers took up a rooftop position. You had a chance to talk to some of these men. A mutually supporting SEAL/IA position also killed an enemy fighter during the morning hours. George's son, Michael, is a recipient of the Medal of Honor and we're going to tell Michael's story. BECOMING COUSTEAU Liz Garbus, Dan Cogan; COW Andrea Arnold, Kat Mansoor; FLEE Jonas Poher Rasmussen. I think there's a lesson for all of us here, isn't there? The ultimate friend. When Mike died, a picture of him circulated the news. There's a healthy level of mystery or privacy. [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]. Rea: So, so powerful. 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 their own uniform and slapped it onto his wooden coffin covering the whole coffin in golden tridents. Delta Platoon was sent to Iraq in April 2006 and assigned to train Iraqi Army soldiers in Ramadi. Margaret Louise Monsoor, our loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend passed away in her sleep on August 8, 2021. Figure out what you need to do to get better and get through that challenge. Michael Anthony Monsoor (April 5, 1981 - September 29, 2006) was a United States Navy SEAL who was killed during the Iraq War and posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. The ship honors Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Monsoor, a Navy SEAL who . So it just marries together so many wonderful stories and memories. USS Michael Monsoor is the second of three Zumwalt-class destroyers ordered by the Navy. This gun is nicknamed "The Pig" because of its squealing sound and because there's so much force when they're shooting it. On the flip side, such gratitude. We worked hand-in-hand and one by one with his teammates. You talk in the book about how he got into sports - hockey and football - and pushed himself to overcome this medical challenge. For those of us who were there, that picture of Mike captures all of this. All morning long the overwatch position received harassment fire that had become a typical part of the day for the security team. Fausone: Another person in the book that I think reflects Michael's character is Father Halladay. Let's let certain things be, right? The parents of Master-At-Arms 2nd Class (SEAL) Michael A. Monsoor accepted the nation's highest military honor on behalf of their son during a White House ceremony April 8, 2008. In September 2006, Michael laid down his life for his brothers in arms. I mean this really is a story about Brotherhood and father/son. Not everyone has made a comprehensive story yet, so the sacrifice lives on I think in the sense of these guys and his parents. The trident is a U.S. Navy special warfare badge worn by SEALs. Michael Anthony Monsoor was born on 5 April 1981 in Long Beach, CA, the third of four children born to George and Sally Monsoor. We've talked a little bit about the reaction to this sacrifice, but does the family feel that the sacrifice going forward in a ripple effect, will that continue to go forward? Fausone:Yes and it's a huge honor. Quote job ref. Rea: It did after and he was able to say that to them when they met him after he had passed away. Market data provided by Factset. An insurgent closed in and threw a fragmentation grenade into the overwatch position. Michael Anthony Monsoor (April 5, 1981 - September 29, 2006) was a United States Navy SEAL who was killed during Invasion of Iraq and posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. His valorous conduct, exemplary leadership, and extraordinary self-sacrifice for his fellow service members have earned him the highest respect and gratitude of his fellow SEALs, the Navy, and our nation. And then he had communications equipment. Just let them have their brother. I just thought that was so incredible. Michael definitely inspired him in that, Michael was a SEAL first. So I thought it was a nice touch to add that all in. IN THE EARLY MORNING, INSURGENTS PREPARED TO EXECUTE A COORDINATED ATTACK BY RECONNOITERING THE AREA AROUND THE ELEMENTS POSITION. One of his platoon mates was having a baby. It's not always a religious thing, sometimes it's just that you have somebody safe you can express your fears with. We put in the story what he told his mom or brother - he said you'll have to drag my dead body off the beach before I quit again. . In the Ma'laab district, Michael perfected his skills as an urban machine gunner. As a communicator and machine-gunner on patrols, Monsoor carried 100 pounds (45kg) of gear in temperatures often exceeding 100 degrees. Though he carried himself in a calm and composed fashion, he constantly led the charge to bring the fight to the enemy. 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. I want to point out, it also happens to be Saint Michael the Archangels Feast Day. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. 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. There was no other option for him. To all those whose lives were forever changed on that awful night: I am so sorry that MI5 did not prevent the attack at the Manchester Arena,' Mr McCallum said He has an older brother James and older . I want to hold my nephews and nieces again. 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. He undoubtedly saved mine and the other SEALs lives, and we owe him., 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. In the early morning, insurgents prepared to execute a coordinated attack by reconnoitering the area around the element's position. 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. The grenade detonated as he came down on top of it, mortally wounding him. Thank-you again for Michael's service and your sacrifice. Mission and Vision. Did you get that sense? Petty Officer Monsoor was subsequently awarded the Bronze Star as the Task Unit Ramadi, Iraq Combat Advisor from April to September 2006. 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 only the second SEAL to die in Iraq since the war began. Mike and his platoon operated in a highly contested part of Ramadi city called the Ma'laab district. Mike Cirelli, one of the men he saved, named his son Michael Anthony after Michael Anthony Monsoor. 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. Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines, fighting together. The 1,063 acre site has a firing range, an administration building, and a dormitory. Michael Monsoor is the second Zumwalt-class destroyer to enter the fleet. All morning long the overwatch position received harassment fire that had become a typical part of the day for the security team. The Early Years. Although only . Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, 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. Additionally, a nearby mosque called insurgents to arms to fight Coalition Forces. Can you talk to us a little bit about learning that part of the story, which I suspect his parents knew nothing about when he was over in Iraq? Rea: It's no small thing. Fausone: There are a number of lessons, and I think we hold these men who receive the Medal of Honor so highly that we can learn some lessons. 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. You see those friendships that were deep in there. Close. DDG 1001 TOP STORY. 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. His selfless, decisive, heroic actions resulted in 25 enemy killed and saved the lives of his teammates, other Coalition Forces and Iraqi Army soldiers. 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.

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