Michael Anthony Monsoor was a United States Navy SEAL and recipient of the Medal of Honor. He was born on April 5, 1981, in Long Beach, California.
Michael Monsoor enlisted in the Navy in 2001 and completed Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training to become a Navy SEAL. He was assigned to SEAL Team 3, based out of Coronado, California.
On September 29, 2006, during his deployment to Ramadi, Iraq, Monsoor was part of a sniper overwatch security position with several other SEALs and Iraqi soldiers. They were providing cover and surveillance for a joint U.S. Army and Iraqi Army patrol when an insurgent threw a hand grenade onto the rooftop where they were positioned.
In a selfless act of sacrifice, Monsoor immediately threw himself onto the grenade, absorbing the blast with his body to protect his comrades. Despite the immediate medical attention provided, he succumbed to his injuries and passed away shortly afterward.
Michael Monsoor’s courageous and decisive actions saved the lives of his fellow SEALs and the Iraqi soldiers with whom he was serving. His unwavering dedication to his teammates and selfless sacrifice were recognized with the Medal of Honor.
On April 8, 2008, President George W. Bush presented the Medal of Honor posthumously to Monsoor’s parents during a ceremony at the White House. He became the second Navy SEAL to receive the Medal of Honor for actions during the Iraq War. His citation reads: “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.”
Michael Monsoor’s heroism and sacrifice serve as a testament to the bravery and commitment of Navy SEALs and the sacrifices made by service members in defense of their comrades and the principles of freedom. His memory lives on as an inspiration to others.
Medal of Honor 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. 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. In the early morning, insurgents prepared to execute a coordinated attack by reconnoitering the area around the element’s position. Element snipers thwarted the enemy’s initial attempt by eliminating two insurgents. The enemy continued to assault the element, engaging them with a rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire. As enemy activity increased, Petty Officer Monsoor took position with his machine gun between two teammates on an outcropping of the roof. While the SEALs vigilantly watched for enemy activity, an insurgent threw a hand grenade from an unseen location, which bounced off Petty Officer Monsoor’s chest and landed in front of him. Although only he could have escaped the blast, Petty Officer Monsoor chose instead to protect his teammates. 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. 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.