SEAL to receive Medal of Honor for Iraq heroism

[LiberalNation]

a true hero. :salute:

http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/03/navy_seal_monsoor_medalofhonor_031708/

SAN DIEGO — A California-based SEAL who threw his body on a grenade to save his comrades in Iraq will posthumously receive the Medal of Honor, a Defense Department official has confirmed.

Master-at-Arms 2nd Class (SEAL) Michael A. Monsoor, of Garden Grove, Calif., was holed up on the roof of a Ramadi house with three other SEALs on Sept. 29, 2006, when an insurgent grenade landed nearby.

Monsoor, a 25-year old with SEAL Team 3, grabbed the grenade and clutched it to his chest. The blast killed him, but his actions, officials said at the time, saved the men on the rooftop.

Monsoor will be the second member of the Navy to receive the Medal of Honor since the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan began, and the first sailor to receive it for combat in Iraq.

[Kathianne]

Great post LN! Here's where I first read about him:

http://www.blackfive.net/main/2006/10/michael_a_monso.html


Navy SEAL Michael A. Monsoor-Someone You Should Know
Posted By Froggy

Last Friday in Ramadi, Iraq SEAL Team THREE lost its second SEAL in combat, SO2 Michael A. Monsoor. Mike was from Garden Grove, CA and having failed to complete BUD/S training his first time around, Mike was undeterred. He came back through and made it this time. Details of the operation he was involved in have yet to be released by the Navy, but all of the verbal reports that I have received from friends still on active duty indicate that it is probably time to rename the Galley at NAB Coronado and stand by for a Medal of Honor nomination.

My understanding thus far is that during some sort of combat engagement a terrorist was able to toss a grenade into a room occupied by Mike and at least two other SEALs. Recognizing the danger to his fellow SEALs, Mike selflessly placed himself in a position to block the blast of the grenade with his own body and saved the lives of his platoonmates.

Sympathy cards to Michael's family are being collected by the great people at Soldier's Angels. Thanks Richard and Adele!
Family of Michael A. Monsoor
C/O Patriot Support
716 Centre of New England Blvd. #173
Coventry, RI 02816

Editorial time: I have been consistently frustrated with the Navy and the NSW leadership's seeming unwillingness to adequately award and nominate enlisted SEALs for their consistent valorous conduct. I do not want to go into any specifics here, but suffice it to say that the enlisted SEAL community and this blog in particular will be watching what happens with Michael Monsoor.

October 06, 2006

More here, with link to a radio tribute:

http://www.blackfive.net/main/2006/12/a_radio_tribute.html

[rppearso]

So what how is this debating policy.

[Kathianne]

Great post LN! Here's where I first read about him:

http://www.blackfive.net/main/2006/10/michael_a_monso.html



More here, with link to a radio tribute:

http://www.blackfive.net/main/2006/12/a_radio_tribute.html

Video, that brings him home:

http://www.blackfive.net/main/2008/03/us-navy-seal-mi.html