In this chapter of our Fallen Heroes series, Iron Infidel honors the courageous actions of Navy SEAL Michael Monsoor, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, for selflessly laying down his life to save his teammates.
Monsoor enlisted in the Navy in March 2001 and he was determined to join the ranks of the elite United States Navy Seals. He would ultimately accomplish his dream and successfully complete the grueling Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training in March 2005, earning the coveted trident and a position on SEAL TEAM 3.
In 2006, SEAL Team 3 was deployed to Ramadi in Anbar Province, where he earned a Silver Star medal for his courage in rescuing a wounded fellow SEAL, by exposing himself to heavy enemy fire to fight his way to a wounded SEAL's position.
Only months later, on September 29, 2006, Monsoor’s team embarked on its final mission of the deployment, about a week before returning home. Monsoor and two fellow SEALS were positioned on a residential rooftop as a sniper overwatch element, tasked with providing early warning and stand-off protection from a rooftop in an insurgent-occupied zone.
The element faced continued enemy assault, from rocket-propelled grenades to small arms fire. 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.
His final act of selflessness would earn him the nation’s highest military honor. On April 8, 2008, President George W. Bush presented the Medal of Honor to Mike’s parents, George and Sally Monsoor.
Although a quiet professional, Monsoor was known for being a jokester, who always had a grin across his face. The Iron Infidel team is deeply honored to pay tribute to and celebrate the life and courage of Michael Monsoor.
Raise your kids to honor the flag, and to respect those who bear the burden of protecting it.