Taking One for the Team: The Hero Way - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

**Old School** · 10-15-2006, 05:57 AM

A Navy SEAL sacrificed his life to save his comrades by throwing himself on top of a grenade

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.

"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.
Monsoor's funeral was held Thursday at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego. He has also been submitted for an award for his actions the day he died.

Dhunter55 · 10-15-2006, 06:17 AM

The ultimate sacrifice! He deserves nothing less than the MOH.

**Old School** · 10-15-2006, 06:26 AM

I cannot think of anything more honorable.

roberto-232 · 10-15-2006, 07:16 AM

“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” John 15:13

God Bless him

coastemac · 10-15-2006, 07:18 AM

I salute him and his family for the ultimate sacrifice. May God bless them all.

**PackerfanXD** · 10-15-2006, 07:35 AM

God bless all of our brave soldiers.

coastemac · 10-15-2006, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PackerfanXD

God bless all of our brave soldiers.

(and sailors...

)

**PackerfanXD** · 10-15-2006, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coastemac

(and sailors...

)

Most of all, sailors!

VAXDGUY · 10-15-2006, 09:46 AM

Dunno about M.O.H., but that should be a Navy Cross for sure.

**beardman2** · 10-15-2006, 10:00 AM

Even more importantly than medals is we should all remember when we wake up to an alarm clock and not gunfire/bombs its because of our service members keeping the fight off our land.

Thank you.

10-15-2006, 05:57 AM	#1
Old School XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Illinois Posts: 7,566	Taking One for the Team: The Hero Way A Navy SEAL sacrificed his life to save his comrades by throwing himself on top of a grenade 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. "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. Monsoor's funeral was held Thursday at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego. He has also been submitted for an award for his actions the day he died. __________________ Visit www.pistolgear.com for all of your XD needs!

10-15-2006, 06:17 AM	#2
Dhunter55 XDTalk 3K Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Bikini Paradise Posts: 3,535	The ultimate sacrifice! He deserves nothing less than the MOH. __________________ "Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost" John Quincy Adams Just say NO to Osama, Obama, and Megan's Poppa. Ron Paul 2008

10-15-2006, 06:26 AM	#3
Old School XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Illinois Posts: 7,566	I cannot think of anything more honorable. __________________ Visit www.pistolgear.com for all of your XD needs!

10-15-2006, 07:16 AM	#4
roberto-232 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 195	“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” John 15:13 God Bless him __________________ "Envy the country that has heroes, huh? I say pity the country that needs them." Quote by Denton Van Zan 'Dragon Slayer': Reign of Fire (Played by Matthew McConaughey)

10-15-2006, 07:18 AM	#5
coastemac XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Miami Area, Florida Posts: 1,194	I salute him and his family for the ultimate sacrifice. May God bless them all. __________________ coastemac U.S. Coast Guard Gunnersmate XD Service Dark Earth .45 ACP (new) XD Sub-Compact Bi-Tone .40 cal Savage Model 10 FP (6X-18X 42mm) Marlin Model 336RC 30-30 Marlin Model 17VS .17 HMR Taurus PT-908 9mm Ruger 22/45 .22lr (and a few others...)

10-15-2006, 07:35 AM	#6
PackerfanXD XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Ground zero of the invasion Posts: 6,869 Blog Entries: 1	God bless all of our brave soldiers. __________________ An armed man is a citizen. An unarmed man is a subject. -Author unknown.

10-15-2006, 09:46 AM	#9
VAXDGUY XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 959	Dunno about M.O.H., but that should be a Navy Cross for sure.

10-15-2006, 10:00 AM	#10
beardman2 XDTalk 4K Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 4,949	Even more importantly than medals is we should all remember when we wake up to an alarm clock and not gunfire/bombs its because of our service members keeping the fight off our land. Thank you. __________________ - He that would make his own liberty secure, must guard even his enemy from opposition; for if he violates this duty he establishes a precedent that will reach himself. ~Thomas Paine I will not be involved with the dreams of angry men. Founding Documents Freedom isn't free: http://www.anysoldier.com

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