BECOMING COUSTEAU Liz Garbus, Dan Cogan; COW Andrea Arnold, Kat Mansoor; FLEE Jonas Poher Rasmussen. He has an older brother James and older . He entered Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training and graduated from Class 250 on September 2, 2004, as one of the top performers in his class. Talk a little bit about the role and responsibility that goes with being that automatic weapon operator. 29, 2006, when he was killed . 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. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Actually, there is a neat little memorial section in the back of the book that, yes there are these incredible memorials to him, but what I thought to point out is that the most powerful memorials right now are of all the sons of the brothers he saved who were named after him. He was Catholic and he found this incredible priest. [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. As we bridge this, Father Halladay, Michael's faith, and the family's faith. Shortly thereafter, an enemy fighter shot a rocket-propelled grenade at his building. As enemy activity increased, Petty Officer Monsoor took position with his machine gun between two teammates on an outcropping of the roof. Figure out what you need to do to get better and get through that challenge. He knew some of these guys were going home early, it's called turnover. 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. The slaps were reportedly heard across the cemetery. 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. Installations. Live Well Plan Well Rest Well A half day breakfast seminar on Saturday March 18th, 2023, at the . 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. Just like Marine Corps Sgt Rafael Peralta before him he jumped on a grenade to save the lives of the other Navy Seals in his snipers nest:. 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. THE ENEMY CONTINUED TO ASSAULT THE ELEMENT, ENGAGING THEM WITH A ROCKET-PROPELLED GRENADE AND SMALL ARMS FIRE. On September 29, 2006, an insurgent threw a grenade onto a rooftop where Monsoor and several other SEALs and Iraqi soldiers were positioned. The Moving Funeral of Petty Officer Mike Monsoor-Truth! I just thought that was so incredible. They made him an honorary Chief because if he was alive, he still would have been. 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. Ismaili community leaders continued to report concerns about what they called the exclusion of Ismailis from other positions of political authority. I've done a lot of projects. Market data provided by Factset. ELEMENT SNIPERS THWARTED THE ENEMY'S INITIAL ATTEMPT BY ELIMINATING TWO INSURGENTS. Funeral. He is buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego. Rose, how did you get involved in helping write and shape this book? 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. And death. 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. The grenade exploded seconds later and Monsoor's body absorbed most of the force of the blast. Market data provided by Factset. 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. Ramadi had been a violent and intense area for a very strong and aggressive insurgency for some time. Again, a great story about a terrific young man who made the ultimate sacrifice for his mates - a selfless act. I miss my mother, my father, my sister, and my brothers. 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. He is survived by his parents, an older sister and two brothers. 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. The guys talk about the weight you carry, the extra weight. "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. Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines, fighting together. 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. 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. 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 hardened enemy was bent on destruction; they fought with ruthlessness, constantly on the attack with machine guns, mortars, grenades, and IEDs. From April to Sept. 29, 2006, Mike served as a heavy weapons machine gunner in Delta Platoon, SEAL Team 3. Those chaplains of whatever denomination are doing great work with our men and I was really interested to read that Michael Monsoor, this Medal of Honor recipient, had that kind of relationship with that kind of chaplain when he was in Iraq. Michael Monsoor joined the United States Navy in about March of 2001. I want to hold my nephews and nieces again. They were providing overwatch security while joint and combined forces were conducting missions in the area. 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. As Mikes coffin passed, each SEAL, having removed his gold Trident from his uniform, slapped it down embedding the Trident in the wooden coffin. Forever the May Queen . On that day, Monsoor was part of a sniper overwatch security position with three other SEALs and eight Iraqi Army (IA) soldiers. It is the first Navy combat ship named for fallen Master-at-Arms 2nd Class (SEAL) Michael Monsoor, who was posthumously . Even before I jumped into really writing the story, I had no idea that he quit BUD/S once. Monsoor and the two injured were evacuated to the combat outpost battalion aid station where Monsoor died approximately 30 minutes after the incident from injuries sustained by the grenade blast., Also due to Monsoors selfless actions, the fourth man of the SEAL squad who was 10-15 feet from the blast, was unhurt. Michael Monsoor is the second Zumwalt-class destroyer to enter the fleet. He lived for 30 minutes longer, they were providing aid as fast as they could. 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. Who has the courage to do that? The other thing, not everyone's going to understand the gravity of this, but he was a new guy. US Navy Medal of Honor recipient (19812006), Mountain Warfare Training Camp Michael Monsoor, Garden Grove High School Memorial Stadium. I thought that was just so powerful. In the morning, his team observed four enemy fighters armed with AK-47s reconnoitering from roads in the sector to conduct follow-on attacks. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Instead, he threw himself onto the live grenade, shielding his fellow soldiers from the immediate explosion. People want to know everything all the time. [6], On September 29, 2006, Monsoor's platoon engaged four insurgents in a firefight in Ramadi, killing one and injuring another. Mike and his fellow SEALs accounted for 84 enemy fighters killed in action and the detainment of numerous insurgents. The 25-year-old California native died in 2006 . 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. Michael Monsoor is a hero for all the world to know about and appreciate. You had a chance to talk to some of these men. The SEALs fired back and stood their ground. When Mike died, a picture of him circulated the news. Michael was the closest one where he could have jumped away from it, but the other three could not have. [11] Monsoor became the fourth American servicemember and second Navy SEAL each killed in the line of duty to receive the United States' highest military award during the War on Terrorism. Because there is nothing more important to me than my family. 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? He was located closest to the egress route out of the sniper hide-sight watching for enemy activity through a tactical periscope over the parapet wall. 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. Able to work in a promising business revenue and product pipeline organization. There was only one access point for entry or exit and Monsoor was the only one who could have saved himself from harm. Petty Officer Second Class (SEAL) Michael A. Monsoor patrols the streets of Iraq while deployed in 2006. Michael Monsoor is the second Zumwalt-class destroyer to enter the fleet. I enlisted because of people like him, because of people who are willing to fight and die for their fellow man. AS ENEMY ACTIVITY INCREASED, PETTY OFFICER MONSOOR TOOK POSITION WITH HIS MACHINE GUN BETWEEN TWO TEAMMATES ON AN OUTCROPPING OF THE ROOF. 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. Naval Auxiliary Landing Field San Clemente Island. On that day, he was on a rooftop over-watch in . I and the other members of SEAL Team Three, Task Unit Bruiser, had the honor of participating in the commissioning ceremony. He was 25-year-old Michael Monsoor. In the early afternoon, enemy fighters attacked his position with automatic weapons fire from a moving vehicle. 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. Bullet holes cover the rubbled buildings. But then they started to take fire which happened pretty fast, and ultimately, a grenade was thrown on the rooftop. IN THE EARLY MORNING, INSURGENTS PREPARED TO EXECUTE A COORDINATED ATTACK BY RECONNOITERING THE AREA AROUND THE ELEMENT'S POSITION. Fausone: I think that's the bonding that occurs that maybe the civilian population doesn't necessarily appreciate. Monsoor was engaged in a firefight in Ramadi when, according to the military report, he and another SEAL pulled a team member shot in the leg to safety while bullets pinged off the ground around them., On 29 September (2006), Monsoor was part of a sniper overwatch security position in eastern Ramadi, Iraq, with three other SEALs and eight Iraqi soldiers. Michael, being the man that he was, was aware of everything going on around him. He gave his life to protect comrades . 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Michael Monsoor, a Navy Seal, sacrificed his life for his buddies on Sept 29th. Upon graduation from basic training, he attended Quartermaster "A" School, and then transferred to Naval Air Station, Sigonella, Italy for a short period of time. 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. Two SEALs next to Monsoor were injured; another who was 10 to 15 feet from the blast was unhurt. 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. Petty Officer Michael A. Monsoor was killed in battle in Iraq in September 2006, and posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in April. Fausone: "Defend Us in Battle" is on the Harper Horizon imprint. Fausone: I've had the chance to write on and interview a number of chaplains. MASTER AT ARMS SECOND CLASS, SEA, AIR and LAND THE ENEMY CONTINUED TO ASSAULT THE ELEMENT, ENGAGING THEM WITH A ROCKET-PROPELLED GRENADE AND SMALL ARMS FIRE. 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. He said he died in the state of grace and for what Catholics believe, with the sacraments and what else. All rights reserved. Each time insurgents assaulted his team with small arms fire or rocket propelled grenades, he quickly assessed the situation, determined the best course of action to counter the enemy assaults, and implemented his plan to gain the best tactical advantage. 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. His teammates recall his sense of loyalty to God, family, and his team. ELEMENT SNIPERS THWARTED THE ENEMYS INITIAL ATTEMPT BY ELIMINATING TWO INSURGENTS. Fausone: Another person in the book that I think reflects Michael's character is Father Halladay. 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 . I think that was the way that it was always meant to be. They are willing to go to the ends of the Earth. Surely there is a special place in God's realm 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 The grenade detonated as he came down on top of it, mortally wounding him. He was not afraid. He will inspire the crew, just as he inspired his teammates. 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. 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. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. 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. Two other SEALs next to him at the time were injured by the explosion but survived. Not everyone has made a comprehensive story yet, so the sacrifice lives on I think in the sense of these guys and his parents. He chose them.. Petty Officer Monsoor was subsequently awarded the Bronze Star as the Task Unit Ramadi, Iraq Combat Advisor from April to September 2006. The 610-foot, 15,000-ton ship, built by General Dynamics Bath Iron Works for the U.S. Navy, was named for Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Monsoor. I think George will fight for his son and stand up for his memory his whole life. I know because my father and brother were also gruntsproud Marine riflemen. 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. I think there's a lesson for all of us here, isn't there? And I'm like, who is this? Her prayers for her son are just a reflection of what every mother is doing when their boys are overseas, or daughters are overseas. The Early Years. On January 26th, 2019, the Zumwalt class destroyer. The overwatch couldnt tell where the RPG came from and didnt return fire., Read Michael Monsoors Summary of Action for September 29th, 2006. 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. His selfless, decisive, heroic actions resulted in 25 enemy killed and saved the lives of his teammates, other Coalition Forces and Iraqi Army soldiers. Legal Statement. The guy who made this special box - almost like a shadow box, but it's a decorative box - he said, "No I want to do this, don't pay me a cent. I was part of their community. : USS Michael Monsoor DDG-1001 2. Dunbar, Monsoor, SEALS, Monsoor funeral. 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 . The 40th annual San Francisco Fleet Week kicked-off Oct. 4 with ship arrivals bringing together the San Francisco community, Marines, Coastguardsmen and Sailors to . Over the years, many who have received the medal have given their lives in the action that earned it. All rights reserved. Fausone: And he gave them a gift, just like he gave a lot of people who have heard the story this gift. Perry, Tony, "Destroyer To Bear O.C. We're talking to Rose Rea and she wrote the book, "Defend Us in Battle," with George Monsoor who's the father of Navy SEAL Michael Monsoor, who received the Medal of Honor from President George Bush back in 2008 for his actions in 2006 in Iraq. [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. I mean this really is a story about Brotherhood and father/son. Monsoor was a Navy SEAL deployed to Iraq in April 2006. 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. Michael obviously knew what was going down, as he was operating on this nightly basis. May 7, 1976 - June 28, 2005.