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. And even the siblings of course, because they don't know all the operations he went on either. Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Monsoor, 25, was killed in combat Sept. 29 in Ramadi, Iraq, west of Baghdad. By his courageous and selfless actions, he saved the lives of his two fellow SEALs and he is the most deserving of the special recognition afforded by awarding the Medal of Honor. October 14, 2019 | Fort Sam Houston, TX. The 1,063 acre site has a firing range, an administration building, and a dormitory. It's so painful, but George knew his son was set to do this, was set to go to this war-torn area and he wasn't afraid. Some sort of bonding and love of your fellow man deepens in those situations. Monsoor, a 25-year-old gunner, was killed in the explosion in Ramadi, west of Baghdad. 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 enemy continued to assault the element, engaging them with a rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire. AS ENEMY ACTIVITY INCREASED, PETTY OFFICER MONSOOR TOOK POSITION WITH HIS MACHINE GUN BETWEEN TWO TEAMMATES ON AN OUTCROPPING OF THE ROOF. 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. He was only the second SEAL to die in Iraq since the war began. Instead, Monsoor chose to protect his comrades by the sacrifice of his own life. Rea: It was my pleasure and it's been such a joy speaking with you. PO2 (EOD2) Mike Monsoor, a Navy Seal, was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously for jumping on a grenade in Iraq, giving his life to save his fellow Seals. You see those friendships that were deep in there. Fausone:Yes and it's a huge honor. I think Michael probably got some of his good leadership principles from following along Lieutenant Commander Willink. When Mike died, a picture of him circulated the news. His funeral in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego . All morning long the overwatch position received harassment fire that had become a typical part of the day for the security team. The grenade hit Monsoor in the chest before falling to the ground. They had been through enough. You got a chance to talk to his Navy buddies before he became a SEAL and importantly after he became a SEAL and served in Iraq. He displayed great personal courage and exceptional bravery while conducting operations in enemy held territory at Ar Ramadi Iraq. Although only . Michael was the closest one where he could have jumped away from it, but the other three could not have. However, I was patient but I just kept nudging and saying this is such a profound story. Rea: Jim, I was able to interview the childhood friend, who also became a SEAL which is so cool - behind-the-scenes little tidbit there. Monsoor was the . 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. A warship that proudly bears his name. Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines, fighting together. One of them belongs to Michael Monsoor. [5][6], Monsoor enlisted in the United States Navy on March 24, 2001, and attended Basic Training at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, Illinois. 'MI5 exists to stop atrocities. He had three SEALs with him and I think there's one or two Iraqi interpreters. I and the other members of SEAL Team Three, Task Unit Bruiser, had the honor of participating in the commissioning ceremony. Legal Statement. U.S. Navy file photo of the Medal of Honor certificate presented by President George W. Bush to George and Sally Monsoor on Tuesday, April 8, 2008, during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, It really is, because all you want for your child is a long life, happiness, is comfort. In the early morning, insurgents prepared to execute a coordinated attack by reconnoitering the area around the element's position. So many guys have named their kids after him because they just loved him so much. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Market data provided by Factset. New guys are like the bottom of the barrel, right? THE ENEMY CONTINUED TO ASSAULT THE ELEMENT, ENGAGING THEM WITH A ROCKET-PROPELLED GRENADE AND SMALL ARMS FIRE. He chose them. [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. You had a chance to talk to some of these men. Monsoor . Did you get that sense? He graduated in September 2004 and joined SEAL Team 3 in 2005. In the book, "Defend Us in Battle: The True Story of MA2 Navy SEAL Medal of Honor Recipient Michael A. Monsoor". I served with him in the Military and I can tell you that he was humble and would do just about anything asked of him to help. 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. Monsoor was the first Navy SEAL to earn the Medal of Honor for actions in Iraq and the second Navy SEAL to receive the award since Sept. 11, 2001. Monsoor yelled, Grenade! and dropped on top of the grenade prior to it exploding. Regional exposure by managing/leading projects by handling projects. 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. Because there is nothing more important to me than my family. 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. I know why Michael continued to foster this relationship. Multiple times that we shared in the book. 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. 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. The Navy's newest Zumwalt-class destroyer, USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001), was commissioned Jan. 26 at Naval Air Station North Island, California. Live Well Plan Well Rest Well A half day breakfast seminar on Saturday March 18th, 2023, at the . 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 The first, USS Zumwalt, is named after Elmo R. Zumwalt Jr., chief of naval operations from 1970 to 1974. So the majority of the platoon will get ready, they'll pack up, they'll get things on their containers to head home and they'll start getting ready to phase out and the new team will come back in. It was the Army, the first of the 506 Battalion. 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. I mean that's crushing. [6], On September 29, 2006, Monsoor's platoon engaged four insurgents in a firefight in Ramadi, killing one and injuring another. He has a grateful nation forever in his debt! [21][22][23], Michael Monsoor is mentioned in the book of Rorke Denver "Damn Few: Making the Modern SEAL Warrior".[24]. 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. For these actions, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. Anticipating further attacks, Monsoor, three SEAL snipers and three Iraqi Army soldiers took up a rooftop position. Acting as the senior leader by leading a team of 3. and jumped onto the grenade, covering it with his body. Master-at-Arms 2nd Class (SEAL) Michael A. Monsoor was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for diving onto a grenade to save his teammates in Ar Ramadi, Iraq, on September 29, 2006. He has an older brother James and older . Fausone: Well sometimes this arc is just perfect, and I think that was a good example of it. But he didn't give up, he quit but he didn't give up. His life and unfortunate death are inspiring. 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 . I wasn't just a random person off the street. Petty Officer Monsoor maintained suppressive fire as the wounded SEAL received tactical casualty treatment to his leg. . Rea: Yes. Michael Anthony Monsoor (5 April 1981 - 29 September 2006) was a U.S. Navy SEAL killed during the Iraq War. April 5, 1981 - Sept. 29, 2006. On the flip side, such gratitude. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Peter Burghart/Released). 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. Michael Monsoor was part of a dedicated team fighting the insurgency in Iraq, supporting the U.S. in its efforts to bring peace and stability to that country. What we do have preserved in the book are all those stories she shared, gems, so many she hadn't shared with the world. Delta Platoon was sent to . 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 was Catholic and he found this incredible priest. ELEMENT SNIPERS THWARTED THE ENEMYS INITIAL ATTEMPT BY ELIMINATING TWO INSURGENTS. On September 29, 2006, Ramadi, Iraq was considered the most dangerous city on planet earth for American servicemen. I thought that was beautiful and respectful. They said no to me Jim, for two years, because they're so private. He was not afraid. Through this ship: Michael Monsoor will still represent the very best our country has to offer. Market data provided by Factset. The four had been working with Iraqi soldiers providing sniper security while U.S. and Iraqi forces conducted missions in the area. The thing is, for these boys who served with Michael, this matters to them, too, because their children want to know who Uncle Mikey was. [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. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. After further training he was assigned to Delta Platoon, SEAL Team 3. All of the rest of the men, three SEALs, and the Iraqi interpreters, survived because of what Michael did for them willingly. On 15 operations, he carried a rucksack full of communications equipment in addition to his machinegun and full ammunition load-out. Everyone in the unit knows Petty Officer Michael A. Monsoor's career history and shares it with all new cadets. And I'm like, who is this? Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. "The procession went on nearly half an hour," Bush said. "We were at a SEAL bar in San Diego called McP's, and we were having a wake for one of our guys that just died, I believe it was Michael Monsoor. Monsoor was protecting other SEALs, two of whom were 15 feet away from him. MICHAEL A. MONSOOR STEVE INSKEEP, host: The White House is about to bestow the highest military award on a Navy SEAL from Southern California. May the Lord continue to comfort you. 120. Ramadi had been a violent and intense area for a very strong and aggressive insurgency for some time. Ahead of the ceremony, Master-At-Arms 2nd Cl. MASTER AT ARMS SECOND CLASS, SEA, AIR and LAND I mean, you can imagine Michael who gave everything he had to have to hang up and quit and ring that bell and be viewed by all of his classmates as a quitter. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. They are willing to go to the ends of the Earth. Kirsten Wang. All Rights Reserved. Petty Officer Second Class (SEAL) Michael A. Monsoor patrols the streets of Iraq while deployed in 2006. Fausone: Again, it's one of those things that demonstrates his character. During the battle, a grenade bounced off Monsoors chest and landed on the roof. His quiet demeanor and dedication to his friends matched the "Silent Warrior" SEAL mentality that was to become his calling in life. His sacrifice has not gone unnoticed. 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 April 2008, Michael Monsoor . Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Rose Rea: Yes, it is a powerful one. Descripcin. Two other SEALs next to him at the time were injured by the explosion but survived. And his story offers some perspective on the long war in Iraq and the chaos there today. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class Demitrius J. Williams). He was the ultimate teammate. 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. As a communicator and machine-gunner on patrols, Monsoor carried 100 pounds (45kg) of gear in temperatures often exceeding 100 degrees. 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. DDG 1001 TOP STORY. Forever the May Queen . A couple of hours later, an insurgency fighter closed on the overwatch position and threw a fragment grenade into the overwatch position which hit Monsoor in the chest before falling in front of him. 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. Michael was so quiet. And then, as you know, at the end of the book who says that powerful prayer at the end, who's able to be there and the huge commissioning of bringing his ship to life but Father Paul Halladay. BECOMING COUSTEAU Liz Garbus, Dan Cogan; COW Andrea Arnold, Kat Mansoor; FLEE Jonas Poher Rasmussen. 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. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. [14][15], 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. Commander, Navy Installations Command | 716 Sicard Street SE Suite 1000 | Washington DC, 20374-5140 Official U.S. Navy Website He's such a cool dude, he's so masculine, so strong, and he was there. He is buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego. 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. Legal Statement. 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. Exactly with that weapon, he was providing cover fire. Ramadi had been a violent and intense area for a very strong and aggressive insurgency for some time. A very uneventful day at first, Jim. The 610-foot, 15,000 ton USS Michael Monsoor is the U.S. Navy's second Zumwalt-class guided missile destroyer and named after fallen Navy SEAL. Jocko is widely known today as a lecturer, coach, podcaster, and personality about the war in Iraq. I enlisted because of people like him, because of people who are willing to fight and die for their fellow man. 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. Received the Silver Star posthumously for previous heroic actions in Iraq on May 9, 2006 when he pulled a wounded teammate to safety while under hostile enemy fire. And Jesse Ventura was in thereI was at the other end of the bar, but he said something kind of derogatory toward us losing guys or whatever and . Monsoor was born April 5, 1981, in Long Beach, California, the third of four children of Sally Ann (Boyle) and George Paul Monsoor. Security services could have stopped Manchester Arena attack if they acted on intelligence, and bomber's own family 'holds significant responsibility' for his radicalisation, damning report finds Delta Platoon executed a broad spectrum of combat operations in and around Ramadi. [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. And death. I've done a lot of projects. Zumwalt-class destroyer USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001) moored at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPACT) 2022. 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. And every day, brave men continued to push forward, into the fray. George eventually said okay, let's do it. On September 29, 2006, Michael Monsoor and three SEAL snipers watched vigilantly for enemy activity from a rooftop post in Ar Ramadi, Iraq. One of his platoon mates was having a baby. 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. The trident is a U.S. Navy special warfare badge worn by SEALs. But fear is no match for my Faith. SEAL snipers from his roof engaged two of them which resulted in one enemy wounded in action and one enemy killed in action. There was no other option for him. All rights reserved. I think that was the way that it was always meant to be. [2] His father also served in the United States military as a Marine. 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. And then it just goes on from there, with the building of this ship. You quit. [5][6], A grenade was thrown onto the rooftop by an insurgent on the street below. Duval's Top 10 September real estate: Queen's Harbour Colonial goes for $3.5 million. Not everyone can step in and do it that well, that fast. Strengthening him to do his job was the sacraments - what Catholics use as a Sacrament. The 25-year-old California native died in 2006 . 230216-NO146-2001GULF OF ADEN (Feb. 16, 2023) Sailors from Republic of Korea Navy ship ROKS Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin (DDH975) assist civilian mariners from France, Feb. 16, 2023. PHILIPPINE SEA (Sept. 5, 2020) Seaman Davon Ramos, from New York, looks through binoculars while standing watch on the port bridge wing aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Comstock (LSD 45) during a vertical replenishment with Henry J. Kaiser-class fleet replenishment oiler USNS John Ericsson (T-AO 194) and the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Regan (CVN 76). The Navy has its own traditions. Who has the courage to do that? Click to read President Bush's full speech at Monsoor's Medal of Honor ceremony. As we trained and prepared to deploy to Iraq, everyone learned that Mike was an incredible person. Delta Platoon was sent to Iraq in April 2006 and assigned to train Iraqi Army soldiers in Ramadi. Market data provided by Factset. A relationship through how much they loved each other and then this brotherly love which ultimately grows and grows and then at the end, but after you saw how much he cared about his fellow squadmates didn't it almost make sense at the end as devastating as it was. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. In that split second, which is all that he had, he jumped on top of it and shielded the blast with his own body. He had been assigned to protect fellow SEALs on a rooftop in Ramadi, Iraq, when a fierce firefight with insurgents broke out. Really what Michael appreciated over there was strength. Rea: Michael had a crazy deployment and super high tempo operating throughout the whole thing, and then they were finally starting to wind down after about six months. Your act and demonstrated honor is a high standard for all of us. Monsoor described as an "outgoing guy" by his grandfather, George Monsoor, Sr. was killed on Sept. 29, 2006. An insurgent closed in and threw a fragmentation grenade into the overwatch position. And Michael turned all of that away, Jim because he believed in a bigger ideal. Instead, he dropped onto the grenade to shield the others from the blast. Mike was also a SEAL communicator. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. While the SEALs vigilantly watched for enemy activity, an insurgent threw a hand grenade from an unseen location, which bounced off Petty Officer Monsoor's chest and landed in front of him. 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. 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. Mountain Warfare Training Camp Michael Monsoor. Talk a little bit about the role and responsibility that goes with being that automatic weapon operator. But I know that, he died doing something he loved. Two SEALs next to Monsoor were injured . Rose, how did you get involved in helping write and shape this book? It is a city devastated by war. 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. All of the older guys get fun jobs. This was a fitting send-off for a warrior hero. Of the three SEALs on that rooftop corner, he had the only avenue of escape away from the blast, and if he had so chosen, he could have easily escaped. All rights reserved. USSMichael Monsoor (DDG-1001), the second ship in the Zumwalt class of guided missile destroyers, was also named in his honor. LATEST NEWS The 40th Annual San Francisco Fleet Week Begins. His sacrifice has not gone unnoticed. 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. As the coffin passed, video shows each SEAL slapping down the gold Trident from his uniform and deeply embedding it in Monsoor's wooden coffin. Those memories will always be within those children, which I love. His leadership, guidance and decisive actions during 11 different combat operations saved the lives of his teammates, other Coalition Forces and Iraqi Army soldiers. Not much is known of the circumstances surrounding his death, family members said . He chose them.. As Mikes coffin passed, each SEAL, having removed his gold Trident from his uniform, slapped it down embedding the Trident in the wooden coffin. Because why my brother and not me? He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him. Rea: It did after and he was able to say that to them when they met him after he had passed away. "And when it was all over, the simple wooden coffin had become a gold-plated memorial to a hero who will never be forgotten.. Ismaili community leaders continued to report concerns about what they called the exclusion of Ismailis from other positions of political authority. Monsoor died about 30 minutes later from wounds caused by the grenade explosion. During the first five months of deployment, that platoon from Team 3 was assigned to Camp Corregidor on the east side of Ramadi, led by then-Lieutenant Seth Stone, who also earned the Silver Star for his own actions on the same September 29, 2006 operation. A brotherhood bound by sweat and blood and tears. Positioned next to the single exit, Monsoor was the only one who could have escaped harm. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Monsoor, a 25-year-old gunner, was killed in the explosion in Ramadi, west of Baghdad. Lieutenant Commander Jocko Willink, Navy SEAL. His teammates recall his sense of loyalty to God, family, and his team. Such an amazing man! He was only the second SEAL to die in Iraq since the war began. 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. It is the first Navy combat ship named for fallen Master-at-Arms 2nd Class (SEAL) Michael Monsoor, who was posthumously . He is survived by his mother Sally, his father George, his sister Sara, and his two brothers James and Joseph. - Source They divided into two groups of four and they were providing bounding sniper overwatch for their Brothers in Arms. The hardened enemy was bent on destruction; they fought with ruthlessness, constantly on the attack with machine guns, mortars, grenades, and IEDs. UNITED STATES NAVY I can't speak for him, but I assume that's why he kept it to himself. I am far away from home. All rights reserved. I think there's a lesson for all of us here, isn't there? It's been a very colorful and challenging life to live, but we're so grateful for our military men and women that serve us.