warpedskydiver 0 #1 October 13, 2006 SEAL Falls on Grenade to Save Comrades Friday, October 13, 2006 3:02 PM EDT The Associated Press By THOMAS WATKINS CORONADO, Calif. (AP) — A Navy SEAL sacrificed his life to save his comrades by throwing himself on top of a grenade Iraqi insurgents tossed into their sniper hideout, fellow members of the elite force said. 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. The first Navy SEAL to die in Iraq was Petty Officer 2nd Class Marc A. Lee, 28, who was killed Aug. 2 in a firefight while on patrol against insurgents in Ramadi. Navy spokesman Lt. Taylor Clark said the low number of deaths among SEALs in Iraq is a testament to their training. Sixteen SEALs have been killed in Afghanistan. Eleven of them died in June 2005 when a helicopter was shot down near the Pakistan border while ferrying reinforcements for troops pursuing al-Qaida militants. There are about 2,300 of the elite fighters, based in Coronado and Little Creek, Va. The Navy is trying to boost that number by 500 — a challenge considering more than 75 percent of candidates drop out of training, notorious for "Hell Week," a five-day stint of continual drills by the ocean broken by only four hours sleep total. Monsoor made it through training on his second attempt. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
2fat2fly 0 #2 October 13, 2006 Rest well, WarriorI am not the man. But the man knows my name...and he's worried Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jojo69 0 #3 October 13, 2006 THank you for the post. I cry when I read how brave and giving people can be. I read too much of how things are bad and never seem to see enough of how people sacrafice for the greater good. My deepest sympathy for the family. I hope they walk with their heads high and show pride in their son. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zep 0 #4 October 14, 2006 As said the guy is a hero I'm not a religous person but I saw this in a church window when I was a kid an reading your post made me think of it. "No man hath a greater love than to lay down his life for another." Gone fishing Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 6 #5 October 14, 2006 Once again~ "No man hath a greater love than to lay down his life for another." ~Amen. ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
warpedskydiver 0 #6 October 14, 2006 Quote As said the guy is a hero I'm not a religous person but I saw this in a church window when I was a kid an reading your post made me think of it. "No man hath a greater love than to lay down his life for another." Amen Brother Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GrabGrass 0 #7 October 14, 2006 Well done Seaman, rest easy. ~ "Pack Fast, Pull Low... and Date Your Riggers WIFE!" ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dorbie 0 #8 October 14, 2006 Link with 2 photos: http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/homepage/abox/article_1296576.php Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rickjump1 0 #9 October 14, 2006 So longDo your part for global warming: ban beans and hold all popcorn farts. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
matthewcline 0 #10 October 14, 2006 Rest easy and proud. God speed. MattAn Instructors first concern is student safety. So, start being safe, first!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DZJ 0 #11 October 14, 2006 I salute this man's bravery and sacrifice. Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
akarunway 1 #12 October 15, 2006 Read that today. A good man. RIP my brotherI hold it true, whate'er befall; I feel it, when I sorrow most; 'Tis better to have loved and lost Than never to have loved at all. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shropshire 0 #13 October 15, 2006 Now that there is a brave man. The term hero is majourly overused these days but this act is the TRUE act of a REAL HERO. RIP Mate. (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites