Navy SEAL Saves Comrades By Falling on Grenade

Posted on October 14, 2006

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.

Rick Moran has an excellent post up honoring this heroe.

We will never know what went through Michael Monsoor’s mind as he leapt upon that grenade. My own belief (and hope) is that Michael’s final moments seemed to him to last a lifetime, the seconds slowing to a crawl to give him the chance to reflect on how lucky he had been to have so many to speak so highly of him after he was gone, to mourn for those who would feel the pain of his loss. And I have no doubt he would have had a colorful curse or two for the enemy that had defeated him in life but that he was cheating with his own heroic death.

Take a moment today to appreciate this man’s devotion and love for our Country and the selfless sacrifice he made to save the lives of his fellow soldiers. Remember his family as they mourn and honor this fallen hero. There is no greater love than to lay down your life for your fellow man.

Gribbit has more as well.

I can only think of one other individual who has done this in recent memory. Marine Cpl. Jason Dunham covered a grenade with his Kevlar becoming mortally wounded in the successful attempt to save the lives of others in his squad. Dunham has been nominated for the Medal of Honor and so should Monsoor.

Absolutely, and I think he will. He definitely deserves it. Blackfive thinks so too.

» Filed Under News, War On Terror

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2 Responses to “Navy SEAL Saves Comrades By Falling on Grenade”

kerwin_brown on October 14th, 2006 3:12 pm

I do not remember the soldier’s name, but I do remember hearing of one who did either the same or a similar thing and rendered handicapped but not killed. I believe there are probably plenty of these events that happen that we do not hear about.

I am glad to hear about those that are willing to give their life and health to save their comrades. It happens in other places but the battlefield.
loboinok on October 14th, 2006 3:47 pm

I do not remember the soldier’s name, but I do remember hearing of one who did either the same or a similar thing and rendered handicapped but not killed. I believe there are probably plenty of these events that happen that we do not hear about.
I believe you might be refering to Sgt. Rafael Peralta, who fell on a grenade while seriously wounded(and died).

I also posted a story on First Sgt. Brad Kasal, both IMO, are deserving of the CMH.