Fallen Navy SEAL Enshrined in Pentagon’s Hall of Heroes

American Forces Press Service ^ | John J. Kruzel

[SandRat]

WASHINGTON, April 9, 2008 – Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael A. Monsoor, a Navy SEAL who posthumously received the Medal of Honor yesterday for his heroic actions in Iraq, joined a rarefied fraternity of military heroes at the Pentagon today.

In September 2006, Monsoor leaped onto a grenade and used his body to absorb a blast that likely would have killed two fellow SEALs and several Iraqi soldiers. For his heroism, the Defense Department today enshrined Monsoor’s name alongside the 3,446 other Medal of Honor recipients honored in its Hall of Heroes.

“To stand in this room, surrounded by reminders of greatness, of sacrifice and of heroism almost beyond comprehension, shakes the soul and stirs the heart,” Navy Secretary Donald C. Winter told the audience inside the Hall of Heroes.

Monsoor, a 25 year-old machine gunner with SEAL Team 3, was providing security in Ramadi, Iraq, at a sniper lookout post on Sept. 29, 2006, when a fragmentation grenade hit his chest and bounced to the floor. Positioned next to the single exit, only Monsoor could have escaped harm.

Instead, he threw himself onto the grenade. Monsoor used his body to absorb the blast and shield two nearby SEALs. The SEALs and eight Iraqi soldiers survived, some with wounds, others unscathed.

Thirty minutes later, Monsoor died.

“He had a clear path to safety,” Winter said. “But he chose a different path, a path of honor that embodies the way of a Navy SEAL.”

When Monsoor was assigned to Ramadi, it was the most dangerous city in the world for an American servicemember, said Navy Adm. Eric Olson, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command.

Monsoor and his unit received hostile fire on 75 percent of their missions, and many believed the entire Anbar province -- home to Ramadi and other fiercely contentious cities -- was “irrevocably lost to a growing insurgency,” Olson said.

“At that time, in that place, what was needed most was brave and highly trained men with guns, determination and discipline,” he said. “Navy SEALs … answered the call, and Michael Monsoor was the best of them.”

Army Lt. Col. Ronald Clark, Monsoor’s former commanding officer, said the petty officer and his unit embodied the strength and courage of the unified fight against the enemy.

Their efforts, he said, helped foster what is known as the “Anbar Awakening,” a societal purging of extremism by a coalition-Anbari alliance that ushered in a level of stability unprecedented since U.S. operations in Iraq began.

“Mikey’s valor and selfless service will continue to inspire legions of brave Americans,” said Army Lt. Col. Ronald Clark, former commander of the 101st Airborne Division's 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment. “He’ll inspire brave men and women to take up arms to protect our country and our way of life.

“He’ll continue to inspire us all, because his spirit is forever woven in the fabric of a grateful nation who will never forget him or his sacrifice to save the lives of his brothers on that rooftop,” he continued. “We are honored by his life, humbled by his courage and blessed to have served in the company of a hero.”

Family members of the slain SEAL wept and clutched each other in a ceremony packed with servicemembers of all branches and rank who gathered to pay homage to the fourth servicemember to receive the Medal of Honor since the beginning of operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

George and Sally Monsoor, the fallen petty officer’s parents, accepted the decoration on their son’s behalf during a White House ceremony yesterday. The Medal of Honor, awarded for gallantry in combat exceeding the call of duty, is the nation’s highest military decoration.

President Bush yesterday characterized Monsoor, a native of Long Beach, Calif., as an unlikely candidate for the SEALs. As a child, he suffered from asthma attacks and coughing fits that routinely landed him in the hospital, Bush said.

But the asthmatic child resolved to wean himself off his inhaler, strengthening his lungs by challenging his siblings in swimming races. The determined child grew into a young man who eventually completed SEAL training, which Bush called the “ultimate test of physical endurance.”

“Less than a third of those who begin this training become SEALs,” he said. “But Mike would not be denied a spot.”

Providing historical context for the decoration today, Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon R. England told the audience the Medal of Honor is earned through actions so courageous they dwarf all other forms of bravery.

“It must put the recipient’s life at risk. It must be the type of deed, which had it not been done, the recipient would not be subject to criticism,” he told the audience today. “It, and its recipients, are genuine national treasures.”

England said war brings to the fore the best and worst human qualities. “Michael Monsoor showed us, again and again, on the violent battlefields of Iraq, and in every step of his young life, the very best we can be,” he said.

Biographies:
Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael A. Monsoor
Gordon England
Donald C. Winter

Related Sites:
White House Medal of Honor Ceremony

Related Articles:
Bush Confers Highest Military Decoration on Fallen Navy SEAL

[SoCalPol]

Travis, Michael Monsoor is buried here in San Diego at
Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery.

They are going to add to his headstone, Medal of Honor

[Travis McGee]

I know the place well, and attended a military funeral there 2 years ago. Lovely views of the Pacific on one side of the ridge road out to Cabrillo Monument on Point Loma, and San Diego Bay and Coronado on the other. Just a beautiful, beautiful spot in the world.

[SoCalPol]

I knew you were very familiar with the area.
Yes, a beautiful view. My dad will be buried there.

[Travis McGee]

Anyone who visits San Diego MUST drive out to Point Loma. Also La Jolla.

[Eaker]

Matt,

You didn’t give your life, but that is not asked.

You went down a road that most could not have just in case.

That is what I thank you for.

Tom

PS: Foreign Enemies looks good!

[A.A. Cunningham]

the CMH

No such thing. The Medal of Honor is presented in the name of Congress. It is not the Congressional Medal of Honor.

[ken5050]

Correct..excuse the shorthand

[submarinerswife]

I have a question about what President Bush said during the ceremony about the Seals who attended the funeral.

He said that every Seal on the West Coast attended the funeral. As they filed past Monsoor's casket, they took off their Tridents and put them on the casket. Leaving a gold-plated casket. Is this tradition? I have never heard of this before Pres. Bush talked about it.

[submarinerswife]

That first link, with his photos from childhood and later, cost me many Puff’s tissues.

I lasted until I saw the pictures of him playing on the kitchen floor with his brother and sister.

[Loud Mime]

You have a good point.

When a person volunteers to serve, especially in a time of war, they have crossed a substantial line that many...uh.....liberals refuse to cross. Crossing that line puts you on the roulette table of duty, from a desk job in a threat area, to actual combat, to being the target of a lethal round.

Death has come to many soldiers as they slept in their bunks, or while typing at a desk. We all knew of this endangerment when we joined the military. Some of us accepted higher threats, but we all accepted the duty and whatever luck went with it.

But those who served in high-threat combat deserve the best and a special respect from every citizen. I, for one, believe that they will receive the best that God has to offer, for there is no greater duty in life than to fight evil.

God Bless our warriors!

[submarinerswife]

But those who served in high-threat combat deserve the best and a special respect from every citizen. I, for one, believe that they will receive the best that God has to offer, for there is no greater duty in life than to fight evil.

I come from a military family, Ex Husband, Husband and my Son are all active duty. But trying to explain to my Liberal Mother that my Son (Corpseman with FMF) will not be picked off in a battle because of what his job is, is near impossible. It's all "GW's illegal war" and I am sending my Son off to die for oil. It so infuriated us that she has been uninvited from his wedding next month.

It baffles the mind how poisoned she has become. Her and I are the only members of my immediate family who have never served. But now she considers military members as either victims or criminals. Crazy B*tch.

[STARWISE]

I think it's a gesture of deep honor and respect, but I'm not specifically knowledgeable about this tradition.

You'll find an incredible recounting of Michael's life from his brothers in arms, and his commander, and if you scroll almost half way down this this page, you'll see the MOST impressive and moving video tribute to this heroic and brave warrior, Michael A. Mansoor, US Navy Seal, including comments by comrades, senior officers, and his sister and brothers. You'll see his comrades punching their tridents into the casket at the end of the funeral. Any Navy types know if there is a particular significance to this tradition?

Have a tissue handy .. he was truly a remarkable young man. Imagine .. he was only 25 years old! Praise God that such incomparably honorable and intrepid warriors appear when they are most needed.

~~~~

United States Navy SEAL Ethos

In times of war or uncertainty there is a special breed of warrior ready to answer our Nation’s call. A common man with uncommon desire to succeed. Forged by adversity, he stands alongside America’s finest special operations forces to serve his country, the American people, and protect their way of life.I am that man.

My Trident is a symbol of honor and heritage. Bestowed upon me by the heroes that have gone before, it embodies the trust of those I have sworn to protect. By wearing the Trident I accept the responsibility of my chosen profession and way of life. It is a privilege that I must earn every day.

My loyalty to Country and Team is beyond reproach. I humbly serve as a guardian to my fellow Americans always ready to defend those who are unable to defend themselves. I do not advertise the nature of my work, nor seek recognition for my actions. I voluntarily accept the inherent hazards of my profession, placing the welfare and security of others before my own.

I serve with honor on and off the battlefield. The ability to control my emotions and my actions, regardless of circumstance, sets me apart from other men.Uncompromising integrity is my standard. My character and honor are steadfast. My word is my bond.

We expect to lead and be led. In the absence of orders I will take charge, lead my teammates and accomplish the mission. I lead by example in all situations.

I will never quit. I persevere and thrive on adversity. My Nation expects me to be physically harder and mentally stronger than my enemies. If knocked down, I will get back up, every time. I will draw on every remaining ounce of strength to protect my teammates and to accomplish our mission. I am never out of the fight.

We demand discipline. We expect innovation. The lives of my teammates and the success of our mission depend on me - my technical skill, tactical proficiency, and attention to detail. My training is never complete.

We train for war and fight to win. I stand ready to bring the full spectrum of combat power to bear in order to achieve my mission and the goals established by my country. The execution of my duties will be swift and violent when required yet guided by the very principles that I serve to defend.

Brave men have fought and died building the proud tradition and feared reputation that I am bound to uphold. In the worst of conditions, the legacy of my teammates steadies my resolve and silently guides my every deed. I will not fail.

[Stonewall Jackson]

The parents of one of my friends are like that.

Daniel joined the Army after 9-11 and has served two tours in Iraq as a radio repairman/electrician with the 1st Cavalry Division and was wounded in combat once and injured several times in non-combat incidents (a head-on collision between his Humvee and a civilian truck and some idiot turned on the power while Daniel was rewiring the system).

Sadly, his parents are such complete left-wing wackos that they have virtually disowned him and refuse to let him come home to visit. He stays with his sister and her family when he comes home on leave and has her listed as his next-of-kin, just in case something does happen.

[STARWISE]

I can’t fathom parents like this .. how can they
live with themselves? God bless and protect their
brave son .. and gift him with the grace to be
free of lasting pain from their despicable abandonment.

[Stonewall Jackson]

I can't even begin to understand what is (or isn't) going through his parents' minds.

Fortunately, he has some family members who aren't so crazy, as well as a number of friends who are supporting him.

The Army currently has him in school to further his education in electrical repairs, but he is supposed to redeploy to the Middle East early next year. When he goes, there will be a number of us who send him care packages and offer up prayers for his safe return.

[submarinerswife]

They don’t want to know their son.

[submarinerswife]

Thank you for your post with links to the BlackFive website.

I will be looking for the interview with Marcus Lattrell. I read his book and words can’t describe how I felt watching President Bush awarding the Medal of Honor to Lt. Micheal Murphy. http://www.navy.mil/moh/mpmurphy/

[Jimmy Valentine's brother]

When he goes, there will be a number of us who send him care packages and offer up prayers for his safe return.

OUTSTANDING!
He has a large family to come home to; his parents have just gone to some other place is all.

[STARWISE]

You’re very welcome. Marcus Luttrell’s
story is simply breathtaking. God bless
all these amazing heroes ... their courage
and devotion are truly humbling.

[SandRat]

Not a SEAL so I wouldn’t know for sure. It sure sounds like something SpecOPS brothers would do to show Honor and Respect.