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October 14, 2006

Aw, Man

I'm crying here.

Navy SEAL falls on grenade to save comrades
Monsoor was only the second member of force to be killed in Iraq

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.”

...Prior to his death, Monsoor had already demonstrated courage under fire. He has been posthumously awarded the Silver Star for his actions May 9 in Ramadi, when he and another SEAL pulled a team member shot in the leg to safety while bullets pinged off the ground around them.


Bless his brave heart. Damn.

A Swill thank you to GALA for the heads-up on this.


Posted by tree hugging sister at October 14, 2006 05:12 PM

Comments

Jeez. I'm crying too.

Posted by: Ken S, Fifth String on the Banjo of Life at October 15, 2006 10:17 AM

Go with God, PO Monsoor.

Posted by: The_Real_JeffS at October 15, 2006 11:06 AM