US Navy SEAL Mike Monsoor to get the Medal of Honor

Posted By Blackfive

Believe me, the story of Mike Monsoor is not lost upon us.  Many of you have emailed and left Comments about his pending posthumous award.  Jimbo will have an interview with Marcus Luttrell about Mike Monsoor posted this weekend.

Froggy wrote this about Mike's sacrifice in October of 2006:

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...

And he asked you to send letters and cards of condolences and support to the Monsoors...AND.YOU.DID.  Froggy wrapped up his post with this:

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.

I spoke with Froggy earlier this week and he asked me to write up a post about Mike. Suffice it to say that he is very proud of Mike and it is a very good thing that the Navy has recognized his valor.

Froggy attended the memorial service where the surviving members of Mike's team, alive because of his actions, thanked the family:

...On the rostrum, all three SEALs whose lives Mike personally saved hobbled up together to thank Michael and his family for their very existence and to show their family's gratitude for sparing them the grief that Michael's family is now experiencing.  I have never witnessed something as special and inspiring in my entire life-I have never even heard of such a thing happening before.  Michael's sister Sara told of a vision that she had upon hearing the news that her brother had died a hero's death saving his brothers.  She said that she saw a puzzle missing its final piece being completed by an unseen hand and that its visage was that of her brother.  His actions, his deeds, his sacrifice were the culmination of a lifetime of preparation to go forth into combat and distinguish himself above and beyond the call of duty... 

When Froggy called I was getting on a plane for a family vacation in Florida so I've been a bit slow to post.  We will post a definitive piece about Mike later, closer to the date of the award, in typical Blackfive manner.  In the meantime, here is a YouTube tribute to US Navy SEAL Mike Monsoor:

TrackBack

TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.typepad.com/t/trackback/2819/27333678

Listed below are links to weblogs that reference US Navy SEAL Mike Monsoor to get the Medal of Honor:

Comments

[OldSoldier54]

We called it the CMH in my time, but I'm kind of glad that the "C" has been removed. Those dog turds in the House and the Senate don't deserve to have their name associated with Men of Valor.

Rest mijo, see you in a while ...

[MAJHAM]

On another blog, some time ago after another such story, someone posed the question "Where do we find such men?" Another commented "We dont, They just keep showing up". This is America's answer to those who believe her best days are behind. Men like Michael Monsoor, Michael Murphy, Danny Dietz, Paul Ray Smith and so many others. May God watch over your family and comrades. Fair winds and following seas. God Bless your soul.

[NH Trooper]

Another name to teach my children so that they will now why they are free and who kept them that way. God Bless them all.

[mindy1]

What is it with the SEALS? Are they just born to be brave? He deserves it. Please post the ceremony when it happens, as I would like to see it.

[Deebow]

As an invited blogger and a member of the military, I am in agreement with Froggy that (and this is probably across the board) the enlisted men who are fighting this war are getting short changed when it comes to awards for valor.

It is good that the NSW/SEAL community will be watching this. It is appropriate that we should all keep an eye out.

I am disappointed that it seems that it takes your death in combat to get an MoH. I know that many of the acts that could get you one of them result in death. But maybe there are men (and some women) out there who have committed individual acts of valor that are deserving of this medal, and the command has got to step up and take a look at these situations and decide if maybe we should award them to LIVING awardees.

Here is to hoping that David Bellavia gets his. 6 to 1 and he walks out of that building alive.

By God he has my vote...

[Uncle Jimbo]

Amen my brother and more to come,

Bellavia considers Congress run Hmmm Oh yeah
http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2008/03/bellavia_considering_run_for_n.asp

[FbL]

Wow. Chills.

Amazing video.

Jimbo, I did a double-take when I saw that earlier today because last weekend that is exactly what I was thinking about when I watched Bellavia--and I'd love to see Russell try something like that, too.

[jordan]

All civilians should see the honor, care and dignity with which the military puts one of it's own to rest, in this day when nothing is sacred. We are proud and grateful for Monsoor and the warrior family he came from.

[referman]

The actions of MICHAEL MONSOOR are what makes these defenders of freedom the best,respected and feared by all the bad guys around the world.His actions bring tears of sorrow and extreme pride,that such men are willing to lay their lives on the line for us all.The MOH seems like such a small thanks for such a large price this brave man has paid.A brave warrior defending his beliefs,our freedom and his brothers.Thank You all.God Bless the Monsoor family our prayers are with you. SemperFi

[Deltabravo]

God bless and keep Michael Monsoor, and may his family have the strength to carry on. They have much to be proud of. I came across this article when I was reading about Mike. Someone he had saved earlier....
Fumento article

I noticed immediately, the date of Mike's death, 29 September... the Catholic Church celebrates that day as the Feast of St. Michael the ArchAngel. The last line of the prayer to St. Michael comes to my mind... "Do thou, oh Prince of the Heavenly Hosts, cast into hell satan and all the evil spirits who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls."

Hoo-Yah, Mike!

[AFSister]

HOO-YAH, MIKE MONSOOR!!!

indeed. That is one mighty completed puzzle.

And yes, Bellavia, humble as he is about his actions that day, should be awarded a MoH also. He talks about how scared and mad he was that day, and that his actions were forged from that fear and anger,not from courage.... but I beg to differ.

[Mr.Sparkle]

You know they are your family when you will stand in front of death, and know they would do the same but for the grace of God.

[thebronze]

If what Brian Chontosh (even though he's an "O") and SSG Bellavia did wasn't worthy of an MoH, I don't know what is.

Truly "Audie Murphy" style stuff.

The DoD should get rid of the "requirement" that people die before being awarded the MoH. Don't we deserve to have some "live" heroes?

[Patrick Chester]

thebronze:
The DoD should get rid of the "requirement" that people die before being awarded the MoH. Don't we deserve to have some "live" heroes?

Is this some unofficial requirement, because I know there are more than a few living recipients from past wars.

[Steve O.]

B5;

Thanks for this post. I know two other SEALs who should be getting the MOH as well for their actions in the Korengal Valley in June of 2005. I have personally spoken to my Senators about this. This is great news for the Monsoor family though, really great news.

HooYa Mike!

- Steve O.

[armynurseboy]

"The DoD should get rid of the "requirement" that people die before being awarded the MoH. Don't we deserve to have some "live" heroes?"

The problem doesn't necessarily lay with the Pentagon, but with subordiante commanders. They are the ones who write up the recommendation and it seems that the MoH has turned into a sort of Blue Max that no one can realistically achieve. I've read Silver Star citations that in previous wars would have easily rated a MoH.

[Nate]

I am sure no one looks at these postings however, I was truly moved by the national news story on Mike I saw on the news today. Many years ago, during the Panama conflict, I was presented with a similar situation, I lived through it but I felt the emptiness of the "echoes" of what could have happened - it haunts me today. I have since gone on to try to forget it all by burying myself in work and of course, alcohol - but it is still there. I should have been where Mike is with the angelic heroes that have given more of themselves then any person ever possibly could. I am torn between selfishness and self-less-ness the latter of which, Mike so TRULY represents. God bless our world for people like him.