Michael A. Monsoor, a Navy SEAL from Garden Grove, California, lived a life defined by courage and faith. Born in 1981, he enlisted in the Navy in 2001 and earned his SEAL Trident in 2004, joining SEAL Team 3. Monsoor was respected for his humility, quiet strength, and dedication to his teammates.
On September 29, 2006, Monsoor was positioned on a rooftop in Ar Ramadi, Iraq, serving as a machine gunner with a sniper overwatch team. Insurgents launched a fierce attack, and amid the chaos, an enemy grenade landed among the team. In a split second, Monsoor made the ultimate choice—he threw himself onto the grenade, shielding two fellow SEALs and nearby Iraqi soldiers from certain death. He absorbed the full force of the blast, sacrificing his life so others could live.
For this extraordinary act of valor, Monsoor was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in 2008. His name lives on through the USS Michael Monsoor (DDG-1001) and in the hearts of those he saved.
Michael Monsoor’s legacy is one of honor, devotion, and selfless sacrifice—a true example of what it means to be a hero.
