[5], During the funeral, as the coffin was moving from the hearse to the grave site, Navy SEALs were lined up forming a column of twos on both sides of the pallbearers' route, with the coffin moving up the center. Positioned next to the single exit, Monsoor was the only one who could have escaped harm. Twenty Gold Star families and four Medal of Honor recipients witnessed the second Zumwalt-class destroyer enter the fleet. Immediately, Monsoor yelled "Grenade!" When a grenade thrown by insurgents bounced off Michael's chest, he could have escaped. 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. As enemy activity increased, Petty Officer Monsoor took position with his machine gun between two teammates on an outcropping of the roof. 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. Brave men died or were wounded every day. While I only had talked to Monsoor for a brief time in BUD/s, he was in the BUD/s class ahead of me in Class 250, he was a dedicated and stand-up guy. Kind of related to how that gift continues to ripple forward. by Norman Fulkerson May 22, 2008. Death is everywhere. Fausone: Go ahead and set us up for what happened on September 29, 2006 when Michael and three other snipers were there. 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. There was only one access point for entry or exit and Monsoor was the only one who could have saved himself from harm. Naval Sea Cadet Corps unit named the "Michael A. Monsoor Battalion" based in Camp Pendleton, California. Though he carried himself in a calm and composed fashion, he constantly led the charge to bring the fight to the enemy. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. By June 21, 2022 springhill elementary school calendar on michael monsoor funeral June 21, 2022 springhill elementary school calendar on michael monsoor funeral Rest in peace, Michael Monsoor. They got him evacuated off the rooftop, and got him as fast as they could back to base, but that's where he passed away. Named for a Medal of Honor recipient and Navy SEAL, USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001) will be commissioned Jan. 25. A couple of powerful statements. 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. THE ENEMY CONTINUED TO ASSAULT THE ELEMENT, ENGAGING THEM WITH A ROCKET-PROPELLED GRENADE AND SMALL ARMS FIRE. He had this unbreakable little will at such a young age and it was so inspiring. All Rights Reserved. He will receive the award for his actions in Ar Ramadi, Iraq on Sept. 29, 2006. 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 His funeral in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego . In the picture, his brother SEALs are nearbybut Mikey is out front. And look at also the actual battle scenes in there were actually taken from after-action reports. Mike was one of the bravest men on the battlefield, never allowing the enemy to discourage him. I've met him and interviewed him and now I get it. You see those friendships that were deep in there. Perry, Tony, "Destroyer To Bear O.C. I am so proud to be a part of this Band of Brothers. Our strength is our brotherhood. Monsoor died about 30 minutes later from wounds caused by the grenade explosion. I want to hold my nephews and nieces again. Instead, Monsoor chose to protect his comrades by the sacrifice of his own life. Camp Morena. For these actions, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. Market data provided by Factset. The unit symbol is composed of Petty Officer Monsoor's Medal of Honor, SEAL Trident, and Master-at-Arms shield. 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 . Many of my brothers have fallen. [5][6], A grenade was thrown onto the rooftop by an insurgent on the street below. As shown at the end of the tribute video linked below, during Monsoor's funeral service, as the casket was taken from the hearse to the gravesite, fellow SEALs . 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. The eRumor describes the funeral of Navy petty officer Mike Monsoor, who lost is own life in Iraq to save the lives of other Navy SEALs. During Mike Monsoor's funeral in San Diego, as his coffin was at the grave site at Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery, SEALs were lined up on both sides of the pallbearers route . Michael was the closest one where he could have jumped away from it, but the other three could not have. They were providing overwatch security while joint and combined forces were conducting missions in the area. Exactly with that weapon, he was providing cover fire. Instead, knowing what the outcome would be, he fell on the grenade to save the others from harm. The 1,063 acre site has a firing range, an administration building, and a dormitory. This was one of the last missions, which is just even worse. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. And that's what it is. He was 25 years old. Like many kids, he wanted to test himself and be the best he could in service and made his way through BUD/S and became a Navy SEAL in March 2005. The slaps were reportedly heard across the cemetery. 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. "The procession went on nearly half an hour," Bush said. Rose, how did you get involved in helping write and shape this book? Contact. USS Michael Monsoor (DDG-1001) will be commissioned into Navy service. You have to ask yourself what makes a man do this. The grenade hit Monsoor in the chest before falling to the ground. 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 a boy. Over the next five months, Monsoor and his platoon frequently engaged in combat with insurgent forces. Multiple times that we shared in the book. Michael Anthony Monsoor was born on 5 April 1981 in Long Beach, CA, the third of four children born to George and Sally Monsoor. Mike was also a SEAL communicator. The name of Petty Officer Michael Anthony Monsoor will now be among them. At his Oct. 12 funeral, as the e-mail states, Navy SEALs took their trident pins and pounded them . 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. May you always rest in peace knowing that we remember you and your sacrifice. 'MI5 exists to stop atrocities. 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. Rose Rea: Yes, it is a powerful one. One of the lessons here that I think folks learned, and it's kind of interesting, is Michael had asthma as a kid and had to overcome all the medical challenges that go through childhood when you can't breathe when you have an asthma problem. He was killed in the line of duty while serving in Iraq on September 29, 2006.He died after throwing himself on a grenade to prevent it from killing others whom he had been assigned to protect on a rooftop. [19], There is a U.S. And every day, brave men continued to push forward, into the fray. 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. It was communion, it was Eucharist, it was confession. I and the other members of SEAL Team Three, Task Unit Bruiser, had the honor of participating in the commissioning ceremony. Ramadi had been a violent and intense area for a very strong . From the US Navy: Petty Officer Second Class (SEAL) Michael Anthony Monsoor. A warship that proudly bears his name. Legal Statement. Fausone: Another person in the book that I think reflects Michael's character is Father Halladay. Surely there is a special place in God's realm for him. 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. Delta Platoon executed a broad spectrum of combat operations in and around Ramadi. 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. Dunbar, Monsoor, SEALS, Monsoor funeral. 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 force said. Not everyone can step in and do it that well, that fast. On January 26th, 2019, the Zumwalt class destroyer. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. [16], In 2011, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs honored Monsoor by naming one of the first three named streets at Miramar National Cemetery after him. During Mike Monsoors funeral in San Diego, as his coffin was being moved from the hearse to the grave site at Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery, SEALs were lined up on both sides of the pallbearers route forming a column of twos, with the coffin moving up the center. From April to Sept. 29, 2006, Mike served as a heavy weapons machine gunner in Delta Platoon, SEAL Team 3. I am far away from home. He lived for 30 minutes longer, they were providing aid as fast as they could. He knew some of these guys were going home early, it's called turnover. TIL 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 there own uniform and slapped it onto his wooden coffin covering the whole coffin in golden tridents. I was part of their community. Michael Anthony Monsoor (April 5, 1981 - September 29, 2006) was a United States Navy SEAL who was killed during Operation Iraqi Freedom and posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. Monsoor enlisted in the United States Navy in 2001 and graduated from Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training in 2004. Monsoor died approximately 30 minutes later from wounds sustained from the blast. - Source 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. I mean that's crushing. But, he didn't give up. An incredible athlete, Mike enjoyed snowboarding, body boarding, spear fishing, motorcycle riding, and driving his Corvette. 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. The four had been working with Iraqi soldiers providing sniper security while U.S. and Iraqi forces conducted missions in the area. But I know that, he died doing something he loved. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. George Monsoor (Michael's father) and Rose Rea detail in their book, "Defend Us in Battle", Michael had prepared for this selfless act his whole life - a life that inspires us to have a similar generosity of heart. Naval Auxiliary Landing Field San Clemente Island. That picture says so much. 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. For service as set forth in the following CITATION: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Automatic Weapons Gunner for Naval Special Warfare Task Group Arabian Peninsula, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 29 September 2006. They were providing overwatch security while joint and combined forces were conducting missions in the area. The new guys still can do some fun things, but for him to step into this role and provide such wonderful, tactical awareness and to do his job so well, it was just a huge, huge testament to him throwing himself in and giving his all. They weren't Navy SEALs. Mike and his fellow SEALs accounted for 84 enemy fighters killed in action and the detainment of numerous insurgents. October 14, 2019 | Fort Sam Houston, TX. The ship honors Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Monsoor, a Navy SEAL who . 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=1135657594, United States Navy personnel of the Iraq War, United States Navy Medal of Honor recipients, American military personnel killed in the Iraq War, Burials at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, Iraq War recipients of the Medal of Honor, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with dead external links from January 2018, Articles with permanently dead external links, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 26 January 2023, at 01:00. 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. Zumwalt-class destroyer USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001) moored at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPACT) 2022. There were so many situations of people who are so moved by his act of charity that they too want to make an act of charity. 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. People want to know everything all the time. Like most fighting ships, its namesake will be woven into . His parents had no idea that he was operating on a nightly basis and the type of danger that he was in. [3][5], Monsoor was described as a "quiet professional" and a "fun-loving guy" by those who knew him. Legal Statement. Even before I jumped into really writing the story, I had no idea that he quit BUD/S once. Unrelated, Chris Kyle operated on the far western side of the city in support of additional special warfare operations; he reportedly killed 84 insurgents.
