Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael A. Monsoor never took his eyes off the grenade that bounced off his chest onto the floor. He threw himself onto the grenade, sacrificing himself for the lives of his comrades in the room.
“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.
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.
“He was just a fun-loving guy,” said a 26-year-old petty officer 2nd class who went through the grueling 29-week SEAL training with Monsoor. “Always got something funny to say, always got a little mischievous look on his face.”
Other SEALS described the Garden Grove, Calif., native as a modest and humble man who drew strength from his family and his faith. His father and brother are former Marines, said a 31-year-old petty officer 2nd class.
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.
Rear Admiral Joseph A. Maguire said in a statement:
Monsoor “died conducting some of our military’s most important missions.”
“This sailor along with our two wounded teammates chose a life of significant meaning – to defend freedom and protect America and its allies from terrorism,” he said.
Rick Moran has a beautiful tribute, he shares “To An Athlete Dying Young†by A.E. Houseman:
We chaired you through the market-place;
Man and boy stood cheering by,
And home we brought you shoulder-high.
To-day, the road all runners come,
Shoulder-high we bring you home,
And set you at your threshold down,
Townsman of a stiller town.
My eyes are full of tears for this young man I never knew. Reading about him and his honorable admirable life, I am so saddened by his loss. It is a very real loss for our country to lose such men. We are so fortunate to have such men. Men who still value honor, integrity and love above self. Men who are capable of heroic acts of courage and greatness.
Rest in peace, Mike. You are a true American hero.
Anti-Idiotarian Rottweiler wonders where we find such men …. and …. are we worthy ….
We sit here at home, safe and comfortable, debating the “rights†of our sworn enemies, embroil ourselves in whose party deserves reelection and TiVo “Dancing with the Starsâ€Â.
These men jump on grenades to save their comrades and expose themselves to 1001 different ways of dying brutally, far from home and family.
The answer to the question is here in America. They can be found in our homes, workplace, churches and thousands of other places. They are our sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, uncles and parents…in short, our countrymen.
Ask G_d from your knees, if you are worthy of his sacrifice and the others that have gone before and will go later?
Froggy, posting at Blackfive, attended his service:
I had the distinct honor and privilege of attending the memorial service for PO2 (SEAL) Michael Monsoor yesterday at the First Presbyterian Church in San Diego. Being in the presence of so many true warriors to celebrate the heroic death of one of our own was utterly humbling and poignant. Information about Mike’s death in Ramadi on 29 Sep 06 has been sketchy in the media, but the story of this man’s service and his death is one that deserves not only to be told, but to be celebrated and certainly never forgotten.
By choosing to put on the uniform, they made a statement. It’s a subtle statement, missed by many. If you’d ask, many of them would have just rolled their eyes. But think about it. By putting on the uniforms of the United States Armed Services, they said, “I love you.”
From Mensa Barbie:
They are saying that sympathy cards to Michael’s family are being collected by the great people at Soldier’s Angels. (Richard & Adele)
Family of Michael A. Monsoor
C/O Patriot Support
716 Centre of New England Blvd. #173
Coventry, RI 02816re: Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael A. Monsoor
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September 3rd, 2008 at 4:22 am
Michael Monsoor Video Tribute…
Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael A. Monsoor was honored at the Republican National Convention this evening with a video tribute. You can see the tribute here and read more about him.
Michael Monsoor
I’ve written about Medal of Honor recipient, Mi…