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Master at Arms Second Class
Michael Anthony Monsoor (April 5, 1981 – September 29, 2006) was
a U.S. Navy SEAL killed during the Iraq War and posthumously
awarded the Medal of Honor.
Medal of Honor citation
The President of the United States in the name of The Congress
takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to
MASTER AT ARMS
SECOND CLASS, SEA, AIR and LAND
MICHAEL A. MONSOOR
UNITED STATES NAVY
For service as set forth in the
following 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. |