Posted on 10/13/2006 12:20:20 PM PDT by jmc1969
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.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael A. Monsoor had been near the only door to the rooftop structure Sept. 29 when the grenade hit him in the chest and bounced to the floor, said four SEALs who spoke to The Associated Press this week on condition of anonymity because their work requires their identities to remain secret.
"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. "He undoubtedly saved mine and the other SEALs' lives, and we owe him."
Monsoor, a 25-year-old gunner, was killed in the explosion in Ramadi, west of Baghdad. He was only the second SEAL to die in Iraq since the war began.
Two SEALs next to Monsoor were injured; another who was 10 to 15 feet from the blast was unhurt. The four had been working with Iraqi soldiers providing sniper security while U.S. and Iraqi forces conducted missions in the area.
In an interview at the SEALs' West Coast headquarters in Coronado, four members of the special force remembered "Mikey" as a loyal friend and a quiet, dedicated professional.
Prior to his death, Monsoor had already demonstrated courage under fire. He has been posthumously awarded the Silver Star for his actions May 9 in Ramadi, when he and another SEAL pulled a team member shot in the leg to safety while bullets pinged off the ground around them.
(Excerpt) Read more at ksl.com ...
"Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends ... "
A little more digging:
FIVE different instances on IWO JIMA alone of brave men throwing themselves on top of grenades to save their fellow comrades.
Simply unbelieveable.
Thank you for posting this. Can I assume that none of our patriotic MSM outlets have seen fit to publicize this? If not, can't for the life of me imagine why.
I recall during the Vietnam War the Navy Times reported that a Navy Hospital Corpsman was awared the Medal of Honor when he threw himself on a grenade to protect wounded Marines. The grenade failed to explode.
I have a feeling that we'd still be wondering what all the rumors of a supposed "flag raising" on some Pacific island were all about if it was up to the MSM of today...
BTTT
At least one instance of it in the 1st Marine Division on Okinawa.
You're right. I saw a commercial for Eastwood's film the other day and said to my 15 year old "Today, that photo would never be published."
Godspeed, sailor.
You're right. It really does put everything else in perspective.
The words do not exist that can describe the actions of this hero that laid down his life for his brothers in arms.
It may or may not. There is a whole procedure that is followed to start the commendation. The CO may write one but often they do not make it past review. USUALLY but not always - it requires that you dispatch a number of the enemy to the next world during the event. There also seems to be some thought process of how many of your comrades you saved, but I haven't quite got that figured out. In the case of Smith he saved about 30 of his comrades from being killed or overrun.
If you read the events of D-day and what Richard Winters did at Bracourt Manor when he lead an attack that saved literally hundreds of guys on the beach, it seems clear that he went above and beyond with conspicuous service. He to was not awarded the MOH.
Unlike you John Kerry, who fled like the coward you are, leaving your comrades to drown when they hit a underwater mine.
They don't use self inflicted wounds that don't even require a band aid and write up purple heart requests for themselves in order to flee like a coward from their duty .
They don't become traitors and meet with the enemy to undermine our government.
This man is a man among men, a true hero.
You John Kerry, were never a man, never a hero, just a lying coward.
God bless this brave soul, and may his image haunt you and be seared, SEARED into your mind for the rest of your miserable cowardly life, John Kerry.
There be heroes among us.
Out of the four MoH recipients from home, two were awarded it because they jumped on a grenade to save their buddies.
"SEALS are exceptional human beings!"
Check out how Navy Crosses outnumber Army DSC's and Air Force Crosses so far in the WOT, and how many of those are Seals:
http://www.homeofheroes.com/valor/02_wot/index.html
The President of the United States of America
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to
*GARCIA, FERNANDO LUIS
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, Company I, 3d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.). Place and date: Korea, 5 September 1952. Entered service at: San Juan, P.R. Born: 14 October 1929, Utuado, P.R.
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a member of Company I, in action against enemy aggressor forces. While participating in the defense of a combat outpost located more than 1 mile forward of the main line of resistance during a savage night attack by a fanatical enemy force employing grenades, mortars, and artillery, Pfc. Garcia, although suffering painful wounds, moved through the intense hail of hostile fire to a supply point to secure more handgrenades. Quick to act when a hostile grenade landed nearby, endangering the life of another marine, as well as his own, he unhesitatingly chose to sacrifice himself and immediately threw his body upon the deadly missile, receiving the full impact of the explosion. His great personal valor and cool decision in the face of almost certain death sustain and enhance the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to
*SANTIAGO-COLON, HECTOR
Rank and organization: Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army, Company B, 5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). Place and Date: Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam, 28 June 1968. Entered service at: New York, N.Y. Born: 20 December 1942, Salinas, Puerto Rico.
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp4c. Santiago-Colon distinguished himself at the cost of his life while serving as a gunner in the mortar platoon of Company B. While serving as a perimeter sentry, Sp4c. Santiago-Colon heard distinct movement in the heavily wooded area to his front and flanks. Immediately he alerted his fellow sentries in the area to move to their foxholes and remain alert for any enemy probing forces. From the wooded area around his position heavy enemy automatic weapons and small-arms fire suddenly broke out, but extreme darkness rendered difficult the precise location and identification of the hostile force. Only the muzzle flashes from enemy weapons indicated their position. Sp4c. Santiago-Colon and the other members of his position immediately began to repel the attackers, utilizing hand grenades, antipersonnel mines and small-arms fire. Due to the heavy volume of enemy fire and exploding grenades around them, a North Vietnamese soldier was able to crawl, undetected, to their position. Suddenly, the enemy soldier lobbed a hand grenade into Sp4c. Santiago-Colon's foxhole. Realizing that there was no time to throw the grenade out of his position, Sp4c. Santiago-Colon retrieved the grenade, tucked it in to his stomach and, turning away from his comrades, absorbed the full impact of the blast. His heroic self-sacrifice saved the lives of those who occupied the foxhole with him, and provided them with the inspiration to continue fighting until they had forced the enemy to retreat from the perimeter. By his gallantry at the cost of his life and in the highest traditions of the military service, Sp4c. Santiago-Colon has reflected great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.