The Angel of Ramadi

Petty Officer Second Class (SEAL) Michael A. Monsoor patrols the streets of Ar Ramadi, Iraq, while deployed in 2006.

Training:

Michael A. Monsoor enlisted in the U.S. Navy on March 21, 2001, and attended Basic Training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois. Upon graduation from basic training, Petty Officer Monsoor entered Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training in Coronado, California, and subsequently graduated with Class 250 on September 2, 2004, as one of the top performers in his class.

Monsoor (lower right corner) during Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training in 2004.

After BUD/S, Monsoor completed advanced SEAL training courses, including parachute training at Basic Airborne School, Fort Benning, Ga., cold weather combat training in Kodiak, Alaska, and six months of SEAL Qualification Training (SQT) in Coronado, graduating in March 2005.

The following month, Monsoor's rating (rank) changed from Quartermaster to Master-at-Arms, and he was assigned to SEAL Team 3, Delta Platoon.

 

(Operation Iraqi Freedom) Deployment:

In April of 2006, During Operation Kentucky Jumper, SEAL Team Three was sent to Ar Ramadi, Iraq, and assigned to train Iraqi Army soldiers.

From April to September 29, 2006, Mike served as a heavy weapons machine gunner in Delta Platoon, SEAL Team 3. During combat patrols, Monsoor walked behind the platoon point man, with his Mk 48 machinegun, so that he could protect his platoon from a frontal enemy attack. Mike was also a SEAL communicator. On 15 separate combat operations, Monsoor carried a rucksack full of communications equipment, in addition to his machinegun, and full ammunition load-out. Collectively it weighed more than 100 pounds. He bore the weight without a single complaint, even in the midst of the 130 degree Western Iraqi summer.

Petty Officer Second Class (SEAL) Michael A. Monsoor patrolling the streets of Iraq while deployed in 2006.

Mike and his platoon operated in a highly contested part of Ramadi city called the Ma'laab district. During their deployment, Mike and his fellow SEALs came under enemy attack on 75 percent of their missions.

Brotherhood:

On May 9, 2006, Mike rescued a fellow SEAL who was wounded in the leg. Monsoor ran out into the street, with another SEAL, providing covering fire, and dragged his comrade to safety, while enemy bullets kicked up the concrete at their feet. For this brave action, Michael earned the Silver Star. The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States Armed Forces for valor in the face of the enemy.

Petty Officer Monsoor was also subsequently awarded the Bronze Star as the Task Unit Ramadi, Iraq, Combat Advisor from April to September 2006. His leadership, guidance and decisive actions during 11 different combat operations saved the lives of his teammates, other Coalition Forces and Iraqi Army soldiers.

The Angel of Ramadi:

On September 29, 2006, Monsoor's platoon was part of a rooftop sniper overwatch security position with three other SEALs, and eight Iraqi Army soldiers. In the morning, his team observed four enemy fighters armed with AK-47s (assault rifles) reconnoitering from roads in the sector to conduct follow-on attacks. The SEAL snipers from the roof position engaged two of the enemy fighters, which resulted in one enemy fighter being wounded and the other being killed in action. A mutually supporting SEAL/IA (U.S. Navy SEAL / Iraqi Army) position also killed an enemy fighter during the morning hours. After the engagements, the local populace blocked off the roads in the area with rocks, to keep civilians away and to warn insurgents of the presence of his Coalition sniper element. Additionally, a nearby mosque called insurgents to arms to fight Coalition Forces.

In the early afternoon, enemy fighters attacked the position with automatic weapons fire from a moving vehicle. The SEALs fired back and stood their ground. Shortly thereafter, an enemy fighter shot a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) at the building. Though well-acquainted with enemy tactics in Ramadi, and keenly aware that the enemy would continue to attack, the SEALs remained on the battlefield in order to carry out the mission of guarding the western flank of the main effort.

Meanwhile, due to expected enemy activity, the officer in charge of the SEAL element repositioned Monsoor, with his automatic heavy machine gun, in the direction of the enemy’s most likely avenue of approach. Monsoor was ordered to provide overwatch, in a small confined sniper hide-sight between two SEAL snipers, which allowed the three SEALs maximum coverage of the area. While vigilantly watching for enemy activity, an enemy fighter hurled a hand grenade onto the rooftop position from an unseen location. The grenade hit Monsoor in the chest and fell to the floor. Mike Monsoor immediately leapt to his feet and yelled “grenade!”, to alert his teammates of the impending danger, but they could not evacuate the sniper hide-sight in time to escape harm. Without hesitation, and showing no regard for his own life, PO2 Michael A. Monsoor threw himself on top of the enemy grenade, smothering it to protect his teammates who were lying in close proximity. The grenade detonated as Monsoor came down on top of it, mortally wounding him. Monsoor was severely wounded and was evacuated immediately. Petty Officer Second Class, Michael Anthony Monsoor died 30 minutes later. Of the three SEALs on the rooftop corner, Monsoor had the only avenue of escape away from the blast, and if he had so chosen, he could have easily escaped without harm. Instead, Monsoor chose to protect his comrades with the sacrifice of his own life.

Aftermath:

Though he carried himself in a calm and composed fashion, Mike constantly led the charge to bring the fight to the enemy. His teammates recall his sense of loyalty to God, family, and team. Monsoor attended Catholic Mass devotionally before combat operations. Mike was one of the bravest men on the battlefield, never allowing the enemy to discourage him. He remained fearless while facing constant danger, and through his selfless nature and aggressive actions, saved the lives of his fellow SEALs. He was a loyal friend and exceptional SEAL, and he is sorely missed by his brothers in Task Unit Bravo.

Burial:

During Mike Monsoor's funeral in San Diego, California, as his coffin was being moved from the hearse to the grave site, at Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery, fellow Navy SEALs were lined up on both sides of the pallbearers route forming a column of two's, with the coffin moving up the center. As Mike's coffin passed, each SEAL, having removed his gold Trident from his uniform, slapped it down embedding the Trident in the wooden coffin. The slaps were audible from across the cemetery; by the time the coffin arrived grave side, it looked as though it had a gold inlay from all the Tridents pinned to it. This was a fitting send-off for a warrior hero.

Michael Anthony Monsoor
April 5th, 1981 - September 29th, 2006
(Age 25)

John 15:13
''Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

Petty Officer Second Class (SEAL) Michael A. Monsoor (kneeling) poses for a photo with his teammates while deployed to Ar Ramadi Iraq in 2006.