Michael Monsoor to receive the Medal of Honor (Wizbang)

Navy SEAL Michael Monsoor, who threw himself onto a grenade in Ramadi to save the lives of two of his fellow SEALs, will receive the Medal of Honor. His family will be at the White House April 8th to accept the award.

A California-based SEAL who threw his body on a grenade to save his comrades in Iraq will posthumously receive the Medal of Honor, a Defense Department official has confirmed.

Master-at-Arms 2nd Class (SEAL) Michael A. Monsoor, of Garden Grove, Calif., was holed up on the roof of a Ramadi house with three other SEALs on Sept. 29, 2006, when an insurgent grenade landed nearby.

Monsoor, a 25-year old with SEAL Team 3, grabbed the grenade and clutched it to his chest. The blast killed him, but his actions, officials said at the time, saved the men on the rooftop.

Monsoor will be the second member of the Navy to receive the Medal of Honor since the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan began, and the first sailor to receive it for combat in Iraq.

Michael Fumento, who's written about Monsoor and combat operations in Ramadi, reported on his Internet blog over the weekend that Monsoor's family would receive the posthumous award on the fallen SEAL's behalf during a White House ceremony April 8.

A Defense Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the award had been approved.

Here's video:

It's hard to watch videos or read stories like these of heroes who gave their lives for their country and their comrades. But we must remember them.

To the Monsoor family, you have my sincerest gratitude, and I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers, along with millions of Americans across the country. May we be worthy of your son's sacrifice.

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

Hat Tip: Hot Air

Comments (2)

Better him then some politi... (Below threshold)

1. Posted by Spurwing Plover | March 18, 2008 3:08 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)

Spurwing Plover:

Better him then some political hack like AL GORE who has already received two undeserved awards

Posted on March 18, 2008 15:08

The unexpected posting of t... (Below threshold)

2. Posted by Chuck Simmins | March 18, 2008 11:10 PM | Score: -1 (1 votes cast)

Chuck Simmins:

The unexpected posting of this information seems to have the DoD at a loss. There has been no "on the record" confirmation, nor any press releases.

It's three weeks until the date Michael Fumento wrote of as the award date. I hope Fumento did not get taken for a ride by his sources.

And, FYI, Monsoor is by no means the only hero deserving of the MoH. In these politically correct times, recognizing heroism gets a backseat to making sure the hero is pure as the driven snow.

Posted on March 18, 2008 23:10