Twenty years ago, on September 29, 2006, Petty Officer Michael A. Monsoor of the United States Navy died while serving in Iraq. A new documentary, “Man of Honor: The Michael Monsoor Story,” tells the story of the sailor behind the medal of honor. It premieres Tuesday on Fox Nation.
The Roof Where It Happened
During Operation Iraqi Freedom, Monsoor served as an automatic weapons gunner in a team made up of both SEALs and Iraqi Army personnel operating as snipers with an overwatch position. He was positioned in a restricted sniper hiding place between two SEAL snipers on top of a raised part of a roof, which allowed the trio of SEALs to watch over the area from the best possible angles.
A foe cast a hand grenade upon the roof, and it struck Monsoor in the breast before falling to the ground. Though he was nearest to the exit from where they stood, he did not flee.
He rose from his seat and cried out “Grenade!”, warning his fellow players, who otherwise would not have escaped before the blast.
What He Chose
“Without hesitation and showing no regard for his own life, he threw himself onto the grenade, smothering it to protect his teammates who were lying in close proximity,” the Navy wrote. “The grenade detonated as he came down on top of it, mortally wounding him.”
The Navy’s official citation says Monsoor “distinguished himself through conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.” He received the award posthumously in a ceremony at the White House on April 8, 2008, according to the Navy’s website.
Why He Was the Only One Who Could Escape
The blast left Monsoor with a single way out, and it would have been simple for him to take it. He was the only one who could have fled, yet he decided against it. Instead, he sacrificed his own life to save his comrades.
“Petty Officer Monsoor’s actions could not have been more selfless or clearly intentional,” the Navy wrote. “By his courageous and selfless actions, he saved the lives of his two fellow SEALs and he is the most deserving of the special recognition afforded by awarding the Medal of Honor.”
The Three Rules
Mike Sarraille, a retired lieutenant commander in the navy who served on SEAL Team THREE with Monsoor, offered Fox Nation an old military adage. “Rule number one is young men die. Rule number two is you can’t change rule number one. And rule number three, somebody must always walk point.”
The Family Left Behind
Sally, George, Sara, James, and Joseph all remained after Monsoor’s death. His mother was Sally, his father was George, his sister was Sara, and his two brothers were James and Joseph.
The Documentary’s Promotional Pitch
Subscribers to FOX Nation can watch the documentary on demand or through their mobile device app. The network is using the film to promote its subscription service.
| Detail | What the Source Says |
|---|---|
| Date of death | September 29, 2006 |
| Date of award ceremony | April 8, 2008 |
| Place of action | A rooftop overwatch position |
| Number of teammates saved | Two fellow SEALs |
| Status | Posthumous award |
In plain terms, the story is straightforward: Monsoor was offered an escape, yet he refused to accept it. Instead, he hurled himself upon a live grenade to protect his comrades, and he gave his life in the act.
There is nothing more to add, and nothing worth embellishing either. The Navy’s own words state the act was done on purpose — Monsoor understood what he was doing, and he decided to go ahead with it anyway. The account leaves no room for doubt about accident or instinct.
The film’s purpose is preserving that memory. The story stands separate from the business arrangement. Twenty years ago, Monsoor performed his act, and it still impresses for the exact reason it impressed back then: he gave up his own chance to live so that others might live instead.
The documentary gives the chance to tell the story and remember the man. That is the whole argument made here.
Source material: “Michael Monsoor had an escape route — the Medal of Honor recipient chose to save his teammates instead,” Fox News.
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