Mike Cirelli, one of the men he saved, named his son Michael Anthony after Michael Anthony Monsoor. From the US Navy: Petty Officer Second Class (SEAL) Michael Anthony Monsoor. Naval Auxiliary Landing Field San Clemente Island. It was the Army, the first of the 506 Battalion. It wasn't like someone said something, I meant these really happened. [3][5], Monsoor was described as a "quiet professional" and a "fun-loving guy" by those who knew him. This voice says to me: I am patrolling through the streets of Ramadi. We're his siblings, just let us be. Named for a Medal of Honor recipient and Navy SEAL, USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001) will be commissioned Jan. 25.Ahead of the ceremony, Master-At-Arms 2nd Class (SEAL) Michael Monsoor's teammates . or redistributed. Lord, protect my brothers above all else. Each time I read of Michael's sacrifice I'm so amazed & heartbroken. To me, they're worth dying for, because there's a bond between brothers, and that bond transcends blood. 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. He continued to provide effective suppressive fire while simultaneously dragging the wounded SEAL to safety. 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. The grenade hit Monsoor in the chest before falling to the ground. The ship honors Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Monsoor, a Navy SEAL who . His selfless, decisive, heroic actions resulted in 25 enemy killed and saved the lives of his teammates, other Coalition Forces and Iraqi Army soldiers. 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. Again, a great story about a terrific young man who made the ultimate sacrifice for his mates - a selfless act. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, During combat patrols he walked behind the platoon point man with his Mk 48 machinegun so that he could protect his platoon from a frontal enemy attack. Then you read about these guys in the story when Michael was in Italy and he was in this waiting pattern to go back to get a second chance. One minute of prayer each night-Grass Roots Effort! Who has the courage to do that? Not out of any sort of reason other than just letting us be. And Michael turned all of that away, Jim because he believed in a bigger ideal. During the service, as Monsoor's coffin was taken from the hearse to the gravesite, Navy SEALs lined up in two columns. It was this cool relationship, almost this Brotherhood camaraderie too, between this Navy chaplain priest and Michael. The ship honors Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Monsoor, a Navy SEAL who was posthumously awarded the Medal of . But he didn't give up, he quit but he didn't give up. Surely there is a special place in God's realm for him. Silver Strand Training Complex. I enlisted because of people like him, because of people who are willing to fight and die for their fellow man. Those memories will always be within those children, which I love. The sad thing is that Michael was ready to die at any time and I'm sure a lot of those guys were, Jim. Tell us about finding those guys and in some measure pulling the stories out to make "Defend Us in Battle.". People want to know everything all the time. 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. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. 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. He chose them.. In the picture, his brother SEALs are nearbybut Mikey is out front. Rea: It's so true. U.S. Navy via Getty Images . The text of his citation reads: For service as set forth in the following. Although only . Monsoor was awarded the Silver Star for this action,[5][8] and was also awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his service in Iraq. THE ENEMY CONTINUED TO ASSAULT THE ELEMENT, ENGAGING THEM WITH A ROCKET-PROPELLED GRENADE AND SMALL ARMS FIRE. He had three SEALs with him and I think there's one or two Iraqi interpreters. Some sort of bonding and love of your fellow man deepens in those situations. A 28-year-old Lieutenant, who sustained shrapnel wounds to both legs that day, said the following in crediting Monsoor with saving his life: He never took his eye off the grenade his only movement was down toward it. We were doing his wake after the funeral there. Civilians aiding the insurgents blocked off the streets, and a nearby mosque had broadcast a message for people to fight against the Americans and the Iraqi soldiers. Positioned next to the single exit, Monsoor was the only one who could have escaped harm. There was no other option for him. Acting as the senior leader by leading a team of 3. Live Well Plan Well Rest Well A half day breakfast seminar on Saturday March 18th, 2023, at the . Descripcin. MASTER-AT-ARMS SECOND CLASS (SEA, AIR AND LAND) MICHAEL A. MONSOOR, MA2 MICHAEL A. MONSOOR, USN with sailors on his tour. Such an amazing man! : USS Michael Monsoor DDG-1001 2. 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. Michael Monsoor is the second Zumwalt-class destroyer to enter the fleet. He has an older brother James and older . New guys are like the bottom of the barrel, right? 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. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions on 29 September 2006. Rea:Right. Fausone: I think that's one of the lessons, right? It's really a selfless sacrifice and you end up giving this gift to those who are spared. Instead, he threw himself onto the live grenade, shielding his fellow soldiers from the immediate explosion. I thought that was just so powerful. Michael obviously knew what was going down, as he was operating on this nightly basis. May you always rest in peace knowing that we remember you and your sacrifice. In the following transcript, Veterans Radio host Jim Fausone talks with Rose about Michael, his family, his faith, and his sacrifice. I've met him and interviewed him and now I get it. And every day, brave men continued to push forward, into the fray. WHAT RUDDERLESS MILLENNIALS COULD LEARN FROM NAVY SEAL MICHAEL MONSOOR -- WHO GAVE HIS LIFE FOR OTHERS. Monsoor yelled, Grenade! and dropped on top of the grenade prior to it exploding. Monsoor quickly smothered the grenade with his body, absorbing the resulting explosion and saving his comrades from serious injury or death. All of the older guys get fun jobs. During the Battle of Ramadi, SEAL Team Three was sent to Ramadi, Iraq in April 2006 and assigned to train Iraqi Army soldiers. I've done a lot of projects. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Rest in peace, Michael Monsoor. He will inspire the crew, just as he inspired his teammates. As we trained and prepared to deploy to Iraq, everyone learned that Mike was an incredible person. I think there's a lesson for all of us here, isn't there? As Mikes coffin passed, each SEAL, having removed his gold Trident from his uniform, slapped it down embedding the Trident in the wooden coffin. The SEALs fired back and stood their ground. When a grenade thrown by insurgents bounced off Michael's chest, he could have escaped. However, I was patient but I just kept nudging and saying this is such a profound story. Mike and his fellow SEALs accounted for 84 enemy fighters killed in action and the detainment of numerous insurgents. The reason I learned a little bit about it is my husband is an active-duty SEAL. Jocko is widely known today as a lecturer, coach, podcaster, and personality about the war in Iraq. Multiple times that we shared in the book. [18], A SEAL training facilitylocated about 50 miles (80km) east of San Diegowas renamed Mountain Warfare Training Camp Michael Monsoor. It is the first Navy combat ship named for fallen Master-at-Arms 2nd Class (SEAL) Michael Monsoor, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions while serving in Ramadi, Iraq, in 2006. Naval Amphibious Base Coronado. Rea: It did after and he was able to say that to them when they met him after he had passed away. 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. Like most fighting ships, its namesake will be woven into . THE ENEMY CONTINUED TO ASSAULT THE ELEMENT, ENGAGING THEM WITH A ROCKET-PROPELLED GRENADE AND SMALL ARMS FIRE. President's 13 Year Old Daughter Spent Spring Break in Mexico-Truth. That picture says so much. The overwatch couldnt tell where the RPG came from and didnt return fire., Read Michael Monsoors Summary of Action for September 29th, 2006. US Navy Medal of Honor recipient (19812006), Mountain Warfare Training Camp Michael Monsoor, Garden Grove High School Memorial Stadium. Copyright 2018 by Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC Although only he could have escaped the blast, Petty Officer Monsoor chose instead to protect his teammates. 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. 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. I wasn't just a random person off the street. Monsoor was born April 5, 1981, in Long Beach, California, the third of four children of Sally Ann (Boyle) and George Paul 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. Talk a little bit about the role and responsibility that goes with being that automatic weapon operator. They made him an honorary Chief because if he was alive, he still would have been. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Peter Burghart/Released). He was only the second SEAL to die in Iraq since the war began. [5], During an engagement on May 9, 2006, Monsoor ran into a street while under continuous insurgent gunfire to rescue an injured comrade. Funeral. I thought that was beautiful and respectful. But we are strong. We all hit those challenges in life and it's so easy to ring the bell which you do to get out of the BUD/S and SEAL training. Legal Statement. 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. Naval Air Station North Island. At his Oct. 12 funeral, as the e-mail states, Navy SEALs took their trident pins and pounded them . The enemy continued to assault the element, engaging them with a rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire. The Mountain Warfare Training Facility Camp Michael Monsoor is located 50 miles east of San Diego, near the city of Campo. Monsoor was severely wounded and although evacuated immediately, he died 30 minutes later. I feel so honored that I was able to play a small role in now bringing his story to the world because George told me one of the reasons that finally got him to say yes was he said my son was so much more than just a boy who jumped on a grenade because that's what the average person in the public knew him as. He attended Catholic Mass devotionally before operations, and often spoke lovingly of his family - his older brother, a police officer and former Marine for whom he held great respect; his sister, a nurse; and his younger brother, a college football player. A couple of powerful statements. They were down below, I think they're reinforcing some fencing with security measures and whatnot and then Michael and the other SEALs were on rooftops. [5][6], A grenade was thrown onto the rooftop by an insurgent on the street below. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. 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. Two SEALs next to Monsoor were injured; another who was 10 to 15 feet from the blast was unhurt. Lt. Michael P. Murphy, fondly referred to by friends and family as "Murph," was born May 7, 1976 in Smithtown, N.Y. and grew up in the New York City commuter town . 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. Rea: It did after and he was able to say that to them when they met him after he had passed away. 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. box of lies online generator michael monsoor funeral. 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. You see those friendships that were deep in there. This story is so incredible so it really gives people a perspective and a glimpse into who was this boy that made this split-second decision that changed lives forever. Monsoor enlisted in the United States Navy in 2001 and graduated from Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training in 2004. When we encounter Iraqi families, I treat them with respect and dignity. So I thought it was a nice touch to add that all in. It is heart breaking to hear that, he is gone. [2] His father also served in the United States military as a Marine. SEAL snipers from his roof engaged two of them which resulted in one enemy wounded in action and one enemy killed in action. Margaret Louise Monsoor, our loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend passed away in her sleep on August 8, 2021. Mountain Warfare Training Camp Michael Monsoor. Michael Monsoor was there in the midst of it all. It's still hard for the men he saved - I would say 100% they feel a sense of guilt. or redistributed. George eventually said okay, let's do it. He was not afraid. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. He was the ultimate teammate. Really what Michael appreciated over there was strength. I know these grunts are not just Soldiers and Marines, but fathers and brothers and sons. Fausone: Again, it's one of those things that demonstrates his character. The slaps were reportedly heard across the cemetery. On March 31, 2008, the United States Department of Defense confirmed that Monsoor would posthumously receive the Medal of Honor. A brotherhood bound by sweat and blood and tears. They said no to me Jim, for two years, because they're so private. It's not always a religious thing, sometimes it's just that you have somebody safe you can express your fears with. On that day, he was on a rooftop over-watch in . He ran out into the street with another SEAL, shot cover fire and dragged his comrade to safety while enemy bullets kicked up the concrete at their feet. "And when it was all over, the simple wooden coffin had become a gold-plated memorial to a hero who will never be forgotten.. Copyright 2023 Navy SEALs. Mike was one of the bravest men on the battlefield, never allowing the enemy to discourage him. EVERETT One of the Navy's newest destroyers paid a visit to Puget Sound this weekend. I remember his mom telling me she said, "Michael you can't do everything," because he just continued to carry the extra load, the extra weight. And death. The enemy could not deter Michael and his SEAL platoon. I believe I had the honor and pleasure of meeting Mr. Monsoor there. Mikes gun is at the ready. [1] He enlisted in the United States Navy in 2001 and graduated from Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Training BUD/S class 250 in 2004. I am so proud to be a part of this Band of Brothers. And even the siblings of course, because they don't know all the operations he went on either. On that day, Monsoor was part of a sniper overwatch security position with three other SEALs and eight Iraqi Army (IA) soldiers. 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. By June 21, 2022 springhill elementary school calendar on michael monsoor funeral June 21, 2022 springhill elementary school calendar on michael monsoor funeral May 7, 1976 - June 28, 2005. Funeral. You have to ask yourself what makes a man do this. 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. So George got to talk with him about sacrifice. Mission and Vision. Naval Sea Cadet Corps unit named the "Michael A. Monsoor Battalion" based in Camp Pendleton, California. You tell the story of Michael improving himself and getting through BUD/S. - Source Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines, fighting together. ALTHOUGH ONLY HE COULD HAVE ESCAPED THE BLAST, PETTY OFFICER MONSOOR CHOSE INSTEAD TO PROTECT HIS TEAMMATES. Fausone: He was the automatic weapons operator carrying the MK-48 and all that extra weight, there's a responsibility to the other guys because you're carrying that weapon to protect them. Being the wife of a SEAL, quitting is the worst thing you can ever do, and Michael quit. Thank-you for raising such a great son. Her prayers for her son are just a reflection of what every mother is doing when their boys are overseas, or daughters are overseas. When we're able to read about someone that we would aspire to be or someone who's done something really incredible it is just inspiring. An incredible athlete, Mike enjoyed snowboarding, body boarding, spear fishing, motorcycle riding, and driving his Corvette. The first, USS Zumwalt, is named after Elmo R. Zumwalt Jr., chief of naval operations from 1970 to 1974. 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. 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. Fausone: I think that's the bonding that occurs that maybe the civilian population doesn't necessarily appreciate. How many times? He bore the weight without a single complaint, even in the midst of the 130 degree Western Iraqi summer. Delta Platoon executed a broad spectrum of combat operations in and around Ramadi. He is survived by his parents, an older sister and two brothers. Petty Officer Michael A. Monsoor was killed in battle in Iraq in September 2006, and posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in April. Sally Monsoor, mother of Michael Monsoor and the ship's sponsor, is escorted on stage during the commissioning ceremony for the guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Monsoor (DDG-1001) on Jan. 26 . The unit symbol is composed of Petty Officer Monsoor's Medal of Honor, SEAL Trident, and Master-at-Arms shield. 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. These men who are in the field with the Warriors give great counsel, and great solace. I know why Michael continued to foster this relationship. Michael Anthony Monsoor (5 April 1981 - 29 September 2006) was a U.S. Navy SEAL killed during the Iraq War. 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. He is survived by his mother Sally, his father George, his sister Sara, and his two brothers James and Joseph. I feel like it was about a hundred pounds extra the guys were telling me from bullets from his SAW Gun, which you probably could go into more specifics about, but I meant it was a huge automatic weapon. Close. Immediately, Monsoor yelled "Grenade!" 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. On January 26, 2019, the U.S. Navy commissioned a ship named the USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001). After further training he was assigned to Delta Platoon, SEAL Team 3. 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. [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. 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. And that's what it is. The other thing, not everyone's going to understand the gravity of this, but he was a new guy. Thank-you again for Michael's service and your sacrifice. Instead, I smile at the Iraqi children when we pass them by. Collectively it weighed more than 100 pounds. USS Michael Monsoor (DDG-1001) will be commissioned into Navy service. 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. 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 ultimate friend. Monsoor described as an "outgoing guy" by his grandfather, George Monsoor, Sr. was killed on Sept. 29, 2006. Twenty Gold Star families and four Medal of Honor recipients witnessed the second Zumwalt-class destroyer enter the fleet. Did you get that sense? Posted by 7 years ago. Petty Officer Michael A. Monsoor was killed in battle in Iraq in September 2006, and posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in April. [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. I can't speak for him, but I assume that's why he kept it to himself. 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. On January 26th, 2019, the Zumwalt class destroyer. The grenade detonated as he came down on top of it, mortally wounding him. JN-052022-5602908. Additionally, a nearby mosque called insurgents to arms to fight Coalition Forces. His life and unfortunate death are inspiring. He is buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. All rights reserved. I am Michael Monsoor. The symbolic display moved many, included Bush, who during his speech in April's Medal of Honor ceremony spoke about the incident. 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. Thank-you for Michael's service & his and your sacrifices. Home Haller Motorworx & Farm Equipment Magazine, AR 479 969-6464 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). Strengthening him to do his job was the sacraments - what Catholics use as a Sacrament. His teammates recall his sense of loyalty to God, family, and his team. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. 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. And from a mother's perspective, it's heartbreaking. There is a lot that goes into naming the ship. April 5, 1981 - Sept. 29, 2006. And because of that, his men were able to get to safety. 29, 2006, when he was killed . 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. I think George will fight for his son and stand up for his memory his whole life. In the early morning, insurgents prepared to execute a coordinated attack by reconnoitering the area around the element's position. 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. Together, we live in dust and dirt and filth. It said who Michael Monsoor was, a little bit about him - just a titch - and something went off in my being, and it was like you've got to tell this boy's story. Bless their hearts. I and the other members of SEAL Team Three, Task Unit Bruiser, had the honor of participating in the commissioning ceremony. Home Haller Motorworx & Farm Equipment Magazine, AR 479 969-6464. For these actions, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. The Navy has operated on the 1,300 plus acres since the early 1960s, and is seeking to set aside an additional 4,486 acres of federal . AS ENEMY ACTIVITY INCREASED, PETTY OFFICER MONSOOR TOOK POSITION WITH HIS MACHINE GUN BETWEEN TWO TEAMMATES ON AN OUTCROPPING OF THE ROOF. It was communion, it was Eucharist, it was confession. 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. People need to know what he gave for his country, what he gave up willingly and so that started everything. [19], There is a U.S. 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. Hi, I was a volunteer at the Bob Hope USO @ LAX for ten years and currently on occasion volunteer at the USO in San Diego. Lieutenant Commander Jocko Willink, Navy SEAL. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, All Major Military Award Recipients (PDF), Medal of Honor Recipient's Story of Overcoming Obstacles and Sacrifice, Transcript of Veterans Radio Host Jim Fausone's Interview with. Around midday, the exterior of the building was struck by a single rocket propelled grenade (RPG), but no injuries to any of the overwatch personnel were sustained. The grenade hit him in the chest and bounced onto the deck.