【荣誉勋章】每个人的背后都有段感人的故事——美军反恐战争以来的荣誉勋章获得者

satanzero

【荣誉勋章】每个人的背后都有段感人的故事——美军反恐战争以来的荣誉勋章获得者



荣誉勋章（Medal of Honor，简称MOH）是美国政府颁发的最高军事荣衔，授予那些“在战斗中冒生命危险，在义务之外表现出英勇无畏”的军人。自从1861年亚伯拉罕·林肯总统签署法令设立这项荣誉以来，共有3448名男性和1名女性获此殊荣。自2001年阿富汗战争打响以来，在阿富汗和伊拉克战场美军已经有8名军人获得荣誉勋章，其中7人是阵亡后追授。他们分别是：


以下便是这8位受勋者的中、英文简介。
（中文介绍来源于互联网、英文介绍来源于美国国防部网站荣誉勋章专题，专题地址：http://www.defense.gov/home/features/2010/1110_moh/）

satanzero

姓名：萨尔维特尔-A-吉恩塔（Salvatore A. Giunta，1985/1/21-）
部队：第173空降旅第503战斗团第2营
军衔：上士
2007年10月25日晚，吉恩塔和另外7名战友在阿富汗科郎盖尔河谷巡逻，突然遭到十多名塔利班武装分子来自三个方向的伏击。由于事发突然而且与对方相距太近，吉恩塔的小队无法召唤空中支援。小队中走在最前面乔什-布雷纳中士身中6弹重伤倒地；吉恩塔也胸口中弹，但幸而子弹被防弹衣挡下。吉恩塔随后赶向两名中弹负伤的战友埃里克-加拉多和福兰克林-埃克罗德，将他们拉到安全区域，并组织其他战友回击敌人。这时吉恩塔在黑暗中发现有两名塔利班武装分子正沿着山路拖着重伤的布雷纳，试图将他带走；吉恩塔立即追上前，打死打伤各一人，被打死的武装分子后来被确认是塔利班的重要头目塔里。然后吉恩塔守着布雷纳，直到援军赶来。（布雷纳最后还是由于伤势过重而于10月26日身亡）。为表彰他在面对敌人伏击时表现出的勇气和拼命从敌人手中抢回战友，吉恩塔于2010年9月10日被确定授予国会荣誉勋章。他也是自越南战争以来第一位活着获得荣誉勋章的美国军人。

Salvatore ("Sal") Augustine Giunta was born on Jan. 21, 1985, in Clinton, Iowa. He is the oldest of three children of Steven, a medical equipment technician, and Rosemary, a pre-school teacher. His younger siblings are brother Mario and sister Katie.
Staff Sgt. Giunta was raised in Cedar Rapids and Hiawatha, Iowa. Childhood adventures were in many instances a forerunner of Staff Sgt. Giunta's adult life and experiences in the Army. As a kindergartner, his mother taught him how to remove the screen from his ground-level bedroom window to escape in an emergency, such as a fire. That night, he reportedly packed a suitcase, crawled out the window, and attempted to take advantage of his new-found freedom – but made it only as far as a neighbor's because he did not know where to go. The open window escape route, coupled with sense of adventure, willing to tempt the unknown, and resultant wanderlust, may have inspired his attendance at the U.S. Army Airborne School and military service as a paratrooper.
In high school, the charismatic and outgoing Salvatore seems to have been, according to his parents, more interested in “socializing and goofing off” than in grades - and the open window frequently provided him with many opportunities to do so. Indeed, his parents have said his “energy” could be “challenging.” Examples of his good humor and frivolity include the time ”when he stole the mouse from his math teacher's computer, or sneaked out to put a Kennedy High School shirt on an opposing team's statue.” A neighbor later recalled that Salvatore's “bravery” stood out when he was in high school.
Salvatore was a junior at Kennedy High School when hijacked commercial jets were intentionally crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001. His mother recalled that Salvatore immediately wanted to bring the family together and ensure their safety by picking up his brother from middle school and sister from elementary school, and she remembers telling him: "If the world falls part, I guess I can count on you." It was probably this same overriding sense of family and concern for his rifle platoon brothers, and his recognized bravery, that motivated his actions in Afghanistan on Oct. 25, 2007.
In summing up his life prior to joining the Army in 2003, Salvatore said, "The first 18 years of my life were in Iowa. I'm an Iowan." With characteristic humility, he added, "Every single person who has touched my life has made me who I am today...The only responsibility I claim for myself is if I screw up."

While there were indications that Staff Sgt. Giunta had been recommended for the Medal of Honor and that the nomination had a good chance of approval, it was not until Sept. 10 2010 that the White House announced that Staff Sgt. Giunta would receive the Medal of Honor, the first awarded to a living recipient since the Vietnam War. On the previous day, Sept. 9, 2010, President Barack Obama telephoned Staff Sgt. Giunta to personally inform him that he would be awarded the Medal of Honor and to thank him for his gallant and selfless service. "President Obama said ‘thank you' for what I did," Staff Sgt. Giunta said in an interview after receiving the phone call from the President. "My heart was pounding in my chest, so much that my ears almost stopped hearing. I had my wife by my side. She was holding my hand. When she heard me say, ‘Mr. President,' she gave me a squeeze."

B (Battle) Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Airborne Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, V Corps, Vicenza, Italy
Parents: Steven and Rosemary Giunta of Hiawatha, Iowa
Siblings: Younger brother Mario and younger sister Katie
Wife: Jennifer Lynn Giunta
Born: Jan. 21, 1985, in Clinton, Iowa
Hometown: Grew up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he graduated from John F. Kennedy High School.

Assignments: Staff Sgt. Giunta enlisted in the U.S. Army in November 2003. He attended Infantry One Station Unit Training and the Basic Airborne Course at Fort Benning, Georgia, before being assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Vicenza, Italy, on May 24, 2004.
Staff Sgt. Giunta, who was promoted to his current rank in August 2009, has served in B (Battle) Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Airborne Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, V Corps, Vicenza, Italy, his entire time in the Army. He currently serves as the Rear Detachment Non-commissioned Officer-in-Charge (NCOIC) of Battle Company, responsible for the health, welfare, morale, training, and accountability of all assigned Sky Soldiers, and works side-by-side with other Rear Detachment Company NCOICs to ensure all unit family members are well taken care of while their Soldier spouse is deployed to Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom X.
Staff Sgt. Giunta's professionalism and proficiency is further demonstrated by his graduation from the NBC (Nuclear, Chemical, Biological) Defense Course, Unit Armorer's Course, Combat Lifesaver Course, Warrior Leader Course, and Rear Detachment Leaders Course, in addition to the Italian Airborne School.

Awards: Medal of Honor (awarded November 16, 2010)
Bronze Star Medal
Purple Heart
Army Commendation Medal (with one bronze oak leaf cluster)
Army Achievement Medal
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal (with one bronze service star)
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Army NCO Professional Development Ribbon
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon
NATO Medal for ISAF (Afghanistan)
  Combat Infantryman Badge
Basic Parachutist Badge
Expert Marksmanship Badge with Rifle Bar
  Italian Parachutist Badge
German Parachutist Badge
British Parachutist Badge


Deployments: Staff Sgt. Giunta has participated in seven training deployments to Germany and two training deployments to the Joint Multinational Readiness Center, Hohenfels, Germany. He also participated in two combat deployments to Afghanistan. His first combat deployment was during Operation Enduring Freedom VI, March 2005 to March 2006. His second combat deployment to Afghanistan was during Operation Enduring Freedom VIII, May 2007 to July 2008. During this second deployment, on October 25, 2007, Staff Sgt. Giunta's platoon (in which he was then a specialist serving as a rifle team leader) was ambushed in the rugged Korengal Valley of eastern Afghanistan. For his extraordinary gallantry, unrivalled courage, and selfless leadership in action that day, Staff Sgt. Giunta was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Barack Obama in a White House ceremony on November 16, 2010. The White House described how Staff Sgt. Giunta earned the Medal of Honor:
"Then-Specialist Salvatore A. Giunta distinguished himself by acts of gallantry at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a rifle team leader with Company B, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry Regiment during combat operations against an armed enemy in the Korengal Valley, Afghanistan on October 25, 2007.
When an insurgent force split Specialist Giunta's squad into two groups, he exposed himself to enemy fire to pull a comrade back to cover. Later, while engaging the enemy and attempting to link up with the rest of his squad, Specialist Giunta noticed two insurgents carrying away a fellow soldier. He immediately engaged the enemy, killing one and wounding the other, and provided medical aid to his wounded comrade while the rest of his squad caught up and provided security. His courage and leadership while under extreme enemy fire were integral to his platoon's ability [to] defeat an enemy ambush and recover a fellow paratrooper from enemy hands."
Staff Sgt. Giunta was the first living recipient of the Medal of Honor for service in Iraq or Afghanistan, the first living service member to be awarded the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War, and the eighth service member to receive the nation's highest military decoration for valor in Iraq and Afghanistan.

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satanzero

姓名：罗伯特-J-米勒（Robert James Miller，1983/10/14-2008/1/25）
部队：美国陆军第3特种作战群第3营
军衔：上士
阵亡时间：2008年1月25日
阵亡地点：阿富汗库纳尔省纳里区巴里考特村
战斗经历：2008年1月25日，米勒的部队在阿富汗库纳尔省纳里区巴里考特村执行侦察任务时，遭到塔利班武装分子的攻击，美军召唤空中火力支援，挫败了武装分子的攻击。当美军上前检查战场时，武装分子再次用重武器突然向他们开火。米勒的队长当场中弹重伤倒地，米勒立即冲到队伍最前面向数个敌人火力点进行火力压制，使得受伤的战友被安全撤回。在交火中米勒被敌人火力击中，但他继续暴露在开阔地对武装分子进行压制，吸引了超过100名武装分子的火力，确保了其他战友退回安全区域，直至最终战死。由于他在战斗中的英勇表现和牺牲精神，米勒被授予国会荣誉勋章。
2010年10月6日，奥巴马总统将向米勒的父母颁发米勒的荣誉勋章。


Robert James Miller was born October 14, 1983, in Harrisburg, Pa.. He was the second of eight children of Phil and Maureen Miller. He was named after his two grandfathers, Robert Miller and James Morgan, both World War II veterans. Rob was proud of his family’s service to our nation, going back to the Revolutionary War. Rob was a very active child, taking his first steps at only 7 months, and he never slowed down. His first friends were the children of Cambodian refugees. The stories they told about the horrors they experienced during Pol Pot’s years made a deep impression on Rob, and he understood at an early age that there were some very bad people in the world.
When Rob was 5 years old, the family moved to the Chicago suburb of Wheaton, ll. He attended kindergarten at Emerson Elementary School, and then first through eighth grades at St. Michael School in Wheaton. For several years he continued the gymnastics lessons he had begun in Harrisburg, and then moved on to baseball, basketball and track, while participating in Boy Scouts and playing trumpet in band. Rob always had a lively curiosity about the world, and was particularly interested in history. While dinnertime conversations too often involved blow-by-blow accounts of the latest Simpsons episode, his parents would at times share experiences of their time spent in the Soviet Union and Berlin during the Cold War, and this seemed to deepen Rob’s sense of appreciation for American freedom.
Rob would go the extra mile when something caught his attention. For an eighth grade history assignment, he was required to interview a veteran. He could have taken the easy route and ask his father a few questions about his job as a translator in Berlin. Instead, Rob contacted his parents’ former chaplain who had briefly served as a medic in the German Navy in occupied France during the Second World War. He received extra credit for his efforts.
Rob’s interest in gymnastics was rekindled when he began attending Wheaton North High School. He spent hours every day in the gym and was co-captain of the school’s team during his junior and senior years, leading them to fifth place in the state tournament. Rob helped pay for gymnastics lessons by working at a local gym, first as a janitor late at night, and then teaching the younger students. Because of his patience with children (something he learned from watching his younger siblings), Rob was entrusted with the special task of instructing several children with autism. For three years, Rob continued with band, switching from trumpet to tuba. He developed an appreciation for classical music during this time. Rob followed his passions, which could include learning Latin and other foreign languages, but those passions did not always include doing the kind of homework that would result in good grades.
Through all this time, Rob showed an interest in the military. In high school, he planned on applying to the Naval Academy, but changed course when he realized that he would not be accepted because of his colorblindness. Eventually joining the military was still part of his plan, and this resolve was strengthened after the events of Sept. 11, 2001.

A Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.
Parents: Philip and Maureen Miller
Siblings: Brothers Thomas, Martin and Edward; sisters Joanna, Mary, Therese and Patricia
Born: Oct. 14, 1983 in Harrisburg, Pa.
Hometown: Grew up in Wheaton, Ill., where he attended Wheaton North High School. Attended one year at University of Iowa before joining the Army in 2003.
Assignments: Staff Sgt. Miller enlisted as a Special Forces trainee Aug. 14, 2003. He graduated from Infantry Basic Training and Airborne School at Fort Benning, Ga., Jan. 6.

Miller graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course Sept. 26, 2004, and the Special Forces Weapons Sergeant Course March 4, 2005. Miller received his coveted Special Forces Tab and was promoted to Sergeant after graduating from the Special Operations French Language Training Course, Sept. 30, 2005. That same day he was assigned to Company A, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Force Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.
Deployments: He deployed to Afghanistan to support Operation Enduring Freedom from August 2006 to March 2007. During this deployment, Miller received two Army Commendation Medals for Valor for his courage under fire.
Miller returned to Afghanistan for his second tour in October 2007, where he served as a Weapons Sergeant for his team.

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satanzero

姓名：加里德-C-蒙提（Jared C. Monti，1975/9/20-2006/6/21）
部队：美国陆军第10山地师第3战斗旅第71骑兵团第3中队
军衔：上士
阵亡时间：2006年6月21日
阵亡地点：阿富汗努里斯坦省戈瓦德什地区
战斗经历：2006年6月21日，蒙提带领一支16人的小队前往阿富汗努里斯坦省戈瓦德什地区搜集情报，当晚，小队遭到大约60名塔利班武装分子的攻击，武装分子在美军小队前方50米处建立了两个阵地，并试图对小队进行包抄。美军立即还击，蒙提召唤火炮和空中支援，并指挥手下打退了武装分子的包抄企图。战斗中，一名美军士兵战死，另一名士兵布莱恩-布莱德布里负重伤，倒在两军交火的开阔地上。小队中的狙击小组指挥官克里斯-肯宁汉向蒙提请示要上前救回布莱德布里，蒙提回答：他是我的手下，我自己去救。随后，蒙提接连做了三次尝试，第一次他被对手猛烈的机鎗子弹逼回；第二次他又被迫折返；第三次他被一枚火箭弹击中，有报道称他的两条腿都被炸飞，不久死亡。与此同时，他先前召唤的火炮和飞机赶来支援，打死了22名武装分子，其余武装分子撤离。布莱德布里后来在返回基地途中也因为一次事故而身亡。由于他在面对优势敌人的进攻时沉着指挥击退了敌人的进攻，且无私地救援战友并因此阵亡，蒙提被授予国会荣誉勋章。
2009年9月17日，蒙提的父母从奥巴马总统手中接过了荣誉勋章。马萨诸塞州的一座桥梁和俄克拉荷马州的一个训练营被以蒙提的名字命名。


Jared C. Monti enlisted in the National Guard as a high school junior under the delayed entry program on March 11, 1993. He went to basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., between his junior and senior year of high school. After graduation, he switched over to active duty and completed his initial military training at Fort Sill, Okla. After graduating from his Advanced Individual Training, he was awarded the military operations specialty 13F, or Fire Support Specialist. A fire support specialist leads, supervises, and serves in an intelligence and target-processing role in Field Artillery units of all sizes across the Army.
After graduating from basic and AIT he was stationed at Fort Riley, Kan. Monti was then assigned to the Korean Peninsula as part of the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, in the demilitarized zone. After leaving Korea, he moved to Fort Bragg, N.C. From Fort Bragg he went back to Korea before eventually ending up at Fort Drum, N.Y.
His military education includes completing the Combat Life Savers course in 1995, Basic Airborne School in 1997, Primary Leadership Development Course in 1998, Basic Noncommissioned Officer course in 2001, Air Assault course in 2002 and the Joint Firepower/Control course in 2004.
His awards and decorations (prior to earning the Medal of Honor) include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal with four oak-leaf clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with three oak-leaf clusters, Good Conduct Medal 3rd Award, National Defense Service Medal (2), Korean Defense Service Medal (2), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (2), Kosovo Campaign Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with numeral two, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon with numeral three, NATO Medal, Afghan Campaign Medal, Global War of Terrorism Service Medal, Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge and the Air Assault Badge.

3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry (Reconnaissance, Surveillance, Target Acquisition), 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry)
Parents: Mr. Paul Monti and Ms. Janet Monti
Siblings: Timothy Monti and Niccole Monti
Born: Sept. 20, 1975 in Abington, Mass.
Hometown: Raynham, Mass.; graduated from Bridgewater-Raynham Regional High School, 1994.
Assignments: Before coming to Fort Drum, he served assignments at Fort Riley, Kan.; Camp Stanley, Korea (1st Battalion, 506th Infantry); Fort Bragg, N.C.; and Camp Casey, Korea.
Deployments: Kosovo and a previous tour in Afghanistan from 2003 to 2004. Afghanistan, February 2006.

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satanzero

姓名：保罗-R-史密斯（Paul R. Smith，1969/9/24–2003/4/4）
部队：美国陆军第3步兵师第11工程营B连
军衔：上士
阵亡时间：2003年4月4日
阵亡地点：伊拉克巴格达附近
战斗经历：2003年4月4日，史密斯和另外16名战友在巴格达附近的萨达姆国际机场东面一英里处准备对一座建筑进行修缮以建立一个临时战俘营。然而当美军推开建筑的大门时，突然遭到埋伏在其中的约100名伊拉克士兵的攻击。史密斯连忙组织手下组成一个简易防御阵地，并召唤一辆布兰德利战车支援，附近的三辆M113装甲运兵车也赶来助战，但其中1辆很快就被伊军的迫击炮击中，所有3名乘员都负了伤；布兰德利战车也被击中，而且由于缺少弹药不得不撤出战斗；史密斯组织手下将伤员撤下，自己则用手雷和反坦克武器独自抵挡伊军的进攻。由于在后方不远处就有包括一个美军救护站在内的约100名非一线战斗人员，为了确保防线不被伊军突破和掩护战友撤退，在战友撤离时史密斯决定留下继续战斗。他跳上那辆受伤的M113装甲运兵车，操纵车顶的机鎗暴露在伊军的火力下向对方射击，一连打了约400发子弹。当援军从背后发起攻击歼灭这股伊军后，史密斯也已经中弹倒地。战友们发现仅他的防弹衣上就有13个弹洞，但致命的一枪却击中了他的脖子，使其当场身亡。由于他在面对敌人的突然进攻时沉着应对和英勇战斗，不但撤下了伤员、守住了防线，还为挫败敌人的攻击争取了时间，并因此阵亡，史密斯因此被授予国会荣誉勋章。
2005年4月4日，史密斯11岁的儿子从布什总统手中接过了荣誉勋章。位于佛罗里达州的陆军一个训练中心和一所中学、位于佐治亚州的一个康复中心都将以史密斯的名字命名。
Sergeant First Class Paul Ray SmithB Company, 11th Engineer Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, United States ArmySgt. 1st Class Paul Ray Smith will receive the Medal of Honor posthumously during a White House ceremony April 4, 2005.
Spouse: Birgit Smith
Children: David A. Smith, Jessica M. Smith
Parents: Donald and Janice Pvirre
Hometown: Tampa, Florida
Graduated Tampa Bay Technical High School Enlisted: October 1989
Completed Basic and Advanced Individual Training at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO
Assignments: 82nd Engineer Battalion (Bamberg, Germany), 1st Engineer Battalion (Fort Riley, Kansas), 317th Engineer Battalion (Fort Benning, Georgia), 9th Engineer Battalion (Schweinfurt, Germany), 11th Engineer Battalion (Fort Stewart, Georgia)
Deployments: Persian Gulf War, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, and Operation Iraqi Freedom
The personal character of Sgt. 1st Class Smith is best described through some anecdotes his sister related in a speech about her brother:
“Paul Ray had an incredible love for the troops under his command. One Christmas, the wife of a Soldier in Paul Ray’s platoon had just had surgery and the Soldier and his wife were unable to provide a Christmas for their family. So, Paul Ray collected food from the company Christmas party, and he and Birgit bought presents for the children, and they took them to the Soldier’s home.” Paul Ray’s family never heard of this until recounted to them by friends after his death. “Another…..very descriptive event that showed Paul Ray’s concern for his men involves another Soldier whose baby daughter was unexpectedly admitted to the hospital with a serious illness. Paul Ray would drive an hour out of town every night to give his support to this Soldier and his wife.” In the last letter that Paul Ray wrote to the parents from Iraq, he told them “..now that he was a father himself, he realized just how much they had sacrificed to make his life a good life and he thanked them for that special effort. He spoke of being prepared to give—as he said—‘all that I am, to ensure that all my boys make it home.’ In that same letter, he told our parents how proud he was of the ‘privilege to be given 25 of the finest Americans we call Soldiers to lead into war’ and he recognized their fears and his responsibilities for their welfare.”
Paul Ray Smith was born on September 24, 1969, in El Paso, Texas. At the age of nine, his family moved to South Tampa, Florida, where he attended public schools. He enjoyed sports, liked cats, skateboarding, riding bicycles, and playing pranks with friends and his younger sister Lisa. He particularly enjoyed football, which instilled the importance of being part of a team and motivated his natural leadership abilities.
He developed an interest in carpentry while in high school and was employed part-time as a carpenter assistant. Paul Ray had an interest in old cars--he enjoyed taking things apart to see how they worked. He restored a dune buggy with a friend. He liked to collect things from the sea, rocks in general, marbles. His family remembered that as far back as they could recall, when anyone would ask what he wanted to do as an adult, he always said, "I want to be a Soldier, get married, and have kids."
Upon graduating in 1988 from Tampa Bay Vocational Technical High School, he joined the Army and attended Basic Training at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri. As his mother wrote in his biography for a dedication ceremony in Orlando, he had begun living his dream...he was assigned to Germany, met and married his wife, Birgit, had two children, and was "doing what he was born to do.... Lead American Soldiers...." Sgt. 1st Class Smith served as a combat engineer and was deployed to Kuwait during the Persian Gulf War, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, and finally to Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. 1st Class Smith joined the 11th Engineer Battalion in 1999 and immediately became an integral part of Bravo Company. When he deployed with his platoon to Kosovo in May 2001, as part of the KFOR 3A rotation, Smith was responsible for daily presence patrols in the highly populated town of Gnjilane. In the spring of 2002, he was promoted to sergeant first class and completed the Advanced Non-Commissioned Officer Course in August 2002.
In January 2003, Sgt. 1st Class Smith returned from leave to prepare his men for rapid deployment to Kuwait as part of the 3rd Infantry's Divisions buildup for Operation Iraqi Freedom. Smith took a strict approach to training his men, ensuring that his platoon was proficient in handling weapons and prepared for urban combat.
Bravo Company crossed the border on March 19th and traveled more than 300 kilometers in the first 48 hours of the war as part of the lead company in support of Task Force 2-7 Infantry. Passing through the Karbala Gap, Smith and his men pushed through the night of of April 3, 2003, towards Baghdad Airport where Bravo Company, 11th Engineer Battalion of Task Force 2-7 were involved in a firefight with Iraqi forces. Sgt. 1st Class Smith's heroic actions and tragic death are described in more detail in the battlescape section of this website and in his Medal of Honor Citation.
Awards: Medal of Honor, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal (4OLC), Army Achievement Medal (5OLC), Good Conduct Medal (3d award), National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, South West Asia Service Medal(3 bronze stars), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal , Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Army NCO Professional Development Ribbon (2d award), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (3d award), NATO Medal (Kosovo), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait), Valorous Unit Award, Army Superior Unit Award, German Marksmanship Badge, French Armed Forces Commando Badge.

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姓名：迈克尔-P-默菲（Michael P. Murphy，1976/5/7-2005/6/28）
部队：美国海军海豹SDV-1队
军衔：上尉
阵亡时间：2005年6月28日
阵亡地点：阿富汗库纳尔省
战斗经历：2005年6月28日，默菲带领一支4人海豹小队前往库纳尔省搜捕一名塔利班指挥官员阿默德-沙阿，此人在阿萨达巴德组织了一支名为“山地虎”的武装力量；行动的代号为“红翼行动”。4人小队乘直升机在库纳尔省靠近阿萨达巴德的山区落地，不久他们遇到几名当地牧羊人，默菲问手下该如何处置他们。4人中阿克萨尔森认为应该杀了他们，邓茨不发表意见，卢特雷尔认为不应该杀他们，默菲自己也认为应该放了他们，于是海豹队员放了这几个牧羊人。然而不久，4人突然遭到100-160名塔利班武装的包围，激战随即爆发，战斗中4人先后负伤，默菲不顾伤势，奋力穿越塔利班的火力前往信号较好的开阔地与总部通话，但却将自己暴露在敌人的火力下，被接连击中数弹；虽然身负重伤，但他在通话后仍然返回战友身边继续战斗直至战死。而一架带有16人赶来支援的MH-47支奴干直升机却在接近山区时候被武装分子的火箭弹击落，机上人员全部身亡。最终4人小队里的默菲、邓茨和阿克萨尔森先后阵亡，只有卢特雷尔被当地的阿富汗人救下，于数天后被美军救出；塔利班武装被打死约35人。直到7月4日，默菲的尸体才被美军搜索队找到。由于他在战斗中表现出的勇敢和牺牲精神，默菲被授予国会荣誉勋章。另外3人也被授予了海军十字勋章。
2007年10月22日，默菲的父母从布什总统手中接过了荣誉勋章。2007年5月7日，纽约州的一个邮局被改名为默菲的名字；2008年5月7日，美国海军宣布一艘新型导弹驱逐舰被命名为迈克尔-默菲号；2009年7月9日，一个在罗德岛州新建成的海军训练营被以默菲的名字命名。

Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy
United States Navy (SEAL)
May 7, 1976 - June 28, 2005

Lt. Michael P. Murphy, fondly referred to by friends and family as “Murph,” was born May 7, 1976 in Smithtown, N.Y. and grew up in the New York City commuter town of Patchogue, N.Y. on Long Island.Murphy grew up active in sports and attended Patchogue's Saxton Middle School. In high school, Murphy took a summer lifeguard job at the Brookhaven town beach in Lake Ronkonkoma -- a job he returned to each summer through his college years. Murphy graduated from Patchogue-Medford High School in 1994.  Murphy attended Penn State University, where he was an exceptional all-around athlete and student, excelling at ice hockey and graduating with honors. He was an avid reader; his reading tastes ranged from the Greek historian Herodotus to Tolstoy's "War and Peace." Murphy's favorite book was Steven Pressfield’s “Gates of Fire,” about the Spartan stand at Thermopylae. In 1998, he graduated with a pair of Bachelor of Arts degrees from Penn State -- in political science and psychology. Following graduation, he was accepted to several law schools, but instead he changed course.  Slightly built at 5 feet 10 inches, Murphy decided to attend SEAL mentoring sessions at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point with his sights on becoming a U.S. Navy SEAL. Murphy accepted an appointment to the Navy's Officer Candidate School at Pensacola, Fla., in September, 2000. Murphy was commissioned as an ensign in the Navy on Dec. 13, 2000, and began Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training in Coronado, Calif., in January 2001, graduating with Class 236. BUD/S is a six-month training course and the first step to becoming a Navy SEAL.Upon graduation from BUD/S, he attended the Army Jump School, SEAL Qualification Training and SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV) school. Lt. Murphy earned his SEAL Trident and checked on board SDV Team (SDVT) 1 in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii in July of 2002. In October of 2002, he deployed with Foxtrot Platoon to Jordan as the liaison officer for Exercise Early Victor.Following his tour with SDVT-1, Lt. Murphy was assigned to Special Operations Central Command in Florida and deployed to Qatar in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. After returning from Qatar, Lt. Murphy was deployed to the Horn of Africa, Djibouti, to assist in the operational planning of future SDV missions. In early 2005, Murphy was assigned to SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 1 as assistant officer in charge of ALFA Platoon and deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.  On June 28, 2005, Lt. Murphy was the officer-in-charge of a four-man SEAL element in support of Operation Red Wing tasked with finding key anti-coalition militia commander near Asadabad, Afghanistan. Shortly after inserting into the objective area, the SEALs were spotted by three goat herders who were initially detained and then released. It is believed the goat herders immediately reported the SEALs’ presence to Taliban fighters. A fierce gun battle ensued on the steep face of the mountain between the SEALs and a much larger enemy force. Despite the intensity of the firefight and suffering grave gunshot wounds himself, Murphy is credited with risking his own life to save the lives of his teammates. Murphy, intent on making contact with headquarters, but realizing this would be impossible in the extreme terrain where they were fighting, unhesitatingly and with complete disregard for his own life moved into the open, where he could gain a better position to transmit a call to get help for his men. Moving away from the protective mountain rocks, he knowingly exposed himself to increased enemy gunfire.  This deliberate and heroic act deprived him of cover and made him a target for the enemy.  While continuing to be fired upon, Murphy made contact with the SOF Quick Reaction Force at Bagram Air Base and requested assistance. He calmly provided his unit’s location and the size of the enemy force while requesting immediate support for his team. At one point, he was shot in the back causing him to drop the transmitter. Murphy picked it back up, completed the call and continued firing at the enemy who was closing in.  Severely wounded, Lt. Murphy returned to his cover position with his men and continued the battle. As a result of Murphy’s call, an MH-47 Chinook helicopter, with eight additional SEALs and eight Army Night Stalkers aboard, was sent in as part of the QRF to extract the four embattled SEALs. As the Chinook drew nearer to the fight, a rocket-propelled grenade hit the helicopter, causing it to crash and killing all 16 men aboard. On the ground and nearly out of ammunition, the four SEALs, continued to fight.  By the end of a two-hour gunfight that careened through the hills and over cliffs, Murphy, Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class (SEAL) Danny Dietz and Sonar Technician 2nd Class (SEAL) Matthew Axelson had fallen. An estimated 35 Taliban were also dead.  The fourth SEAL, Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class (SEAL) Marcus Luttrell, was blasted over a ridge by a rocket-propelled grenade and knocked unconscious. Though severely wounded, the fourth SEAL and sole survivor, Luttrell, was able to evade the enemy for nearly a day; after which local nationals came to his aide, carrying him to a nearby village where they kept him for three more days. Luttrell was rescued by U.S. Forces on July 2, 2005.  By his undaunted courage, intrepid fighting spirit and inspirational devotion to his men in the face of certain death, Lt. Murphy was able to relay the position of his unit, an act that ultimately led to the rescue of Luttrell and the recovery of the remains of the three who were killed in the battle.Lt. Murphy was buried at Calverton National Cemetery less than 20 miles from his childhood home. Lt. Murphy’s other personal awards include the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Ribbon and National Defense Service Medal. Lt. Murphy is survived by his mother Maureen Murphy; his father Dan Murphy; and his brother John Murphy. Dan and Maureen Murphy, who were divorced in 1999, remain close friends and continue to live in N.Y.  Their son John, 22, attends the New York Institute of Technology, and upon graduation will  pursue a career in criminal justice, having been accepted to the New York City Police Deparment.

Basic Underwater Demolition/ SEAL (BUD/S) graduating class 236. Navy SEAL (Sea, Air, Land) Lt. Michael P. Murphy, 29, from Patchogue, NY is pictured on the far left side of the back row. Murphy was killed by enemy forces during a reconnaissance mission, Operation Redwing, June 28, 2005. Murphy lead a four-man team tasked with finding a key Taliban leader in the mountainous terrain near Asadabad, Afghanistan, when they came under fire from a much larger enemy force with superior tactical position. Mortally wounded while exposing himself to enemy fire, Murphy knowingly left his position of cover to get a clear signal in order to communicate with his headquarters. While being shot at repeatedly, Murphy calmly provided his unit’s location and requested immediate support for his element. He returned to his cover position to continue the fight until finally succumbing to his wounds. U.S. Navy photo (RELEASED)
011019-N-0000X-001

Navy SEALs (Sea, Air, Land) operating in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. From left to right:  Sonar Technician -- Surface 2nd Class (SEAL) Matthew G. Axelson, 29, of Cupertino, Calif; Information Systems Technician Senior Chief (SEAL) Daniel R. Healy, 36, of Exeter, N.H.; Quartermaster 2nd Class (SEAL) James Suh,  28, of Deerfield Beach, Fla.; Hospital Corpsman Second Class (SEAL) Marcus Luttrell; Machinist Mate 2nd Class (SEAL) Eric S. Patton, 22, of Boulder City, Nev.; LT (SEAL) Michael P. Murphy, 29, of Patchogue, N.Y. With the exception of the lone survivor, Luttrell, all were killed June 28, 2005 by enemy forces while supporting Operation Redwing 050628-N-0000X-001

Navy SEAL (Sea, Air, Land) Lt. Michael P. Murphy, 29, from Patchogue, NY taken in Afghanistan. Murphy was killed by enemy forces during a reconnaissance mission, Operation Redwing, June 28, 2005. Murphy lead a four-man team tasked with finding a key Taliban leader in the mountainous terrain near Asadabad, Afghanistan, when they came under fire from a much larger enemy force with superior tactical position. Mortally wounded while exposing himself to enemy fire, Murphy knowingly left his position of cover to get a clear signal in order to communicate with his headquarters. While being shot at repeatedly, Murphy calmly provided his unit’s location and requested immediate support for his element. He returned to his cover position to continue the fight until finally succumbing to his wounds. U.S. Navy photo (RELEASED) 050628-N-0000X-002

Navy SEAL (Sea, Air, Land) Lt. Michael P. Murphy, 29, from Patchogue, NY taken in Afghanistan. Murphy was killed by enemy forces during a reconnaissance mission, Operation Redwing, June 28, 2005. Murphy lead a four-man team tasked with finding a key Taliban leader in the mountainous terrain near Asadabad, Afghanistan, when they came under fire from a much larger enemy force with superior tactical position. Mortally wounded while exposing himself to enemy fire, Murphy knowingly left his position of cover to get a clear signal in order to communicate with his headquarters. While being shot at repeatedly, Murphy calmly provided his unit’s location and requested immediate support for his element. He returned to his cover position to continue the fight until finally succumbing to his wounds. U.S. Navy photo (RELEASED) 050628-N-0000X-003

Navy SEAL (Sea, Air, Land) Lt. Michael P. Murphy, 29, from Patchogue, NY, taken in Afghanistan. Murphy was killed by enemy forces during a reconnaissance mission, Operation Redwing, June 28, 2005. Murphy lead a four-man team tasked with finding a key Taliban leader in the mountainous terrain near Asadabad, Afghanistan, when they came under fire from a much larger enemy force with superior tactical position. Mortally wounded while exposing himself to enemy fire, Murphy knowingly left his position of cover to get a clear signal in order to communicate with his headquarters. While being shot at repeatedly, Murphy calmly provided his unit’s location and requested immediate support for his element. He returned to his cover position to continue the fight until finally succumbing to his wounds. U.S. Navy photo (RELEASED) 050628-N-0000X-004

Navy SEAL (Sea, Air, Land) Lt. Michael P. Murphy, 29, from Patchogue, NY and Sonar Technician -- Surface 2nd Class (SEAL) Matthew G. Axelson, 29, of Cupertino, Calif, taken in Afghanistan. Both assigned to SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team ONE, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Murphy and Axelson were killed by enemy forces during a reconnaissance mission, Operation Redwing, June 28, 2005. They were part of a four-man team tasked with finding a key Taliban leader in the mountainous terrain near Asadabad, Afghanistan, when they came under fire from a much larger enemy force with superior tactical position. U.S. Navy photo (RELEASED) 050628-N-0000X-005

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satanzero

姓名：贾森-L-杜哈姆（Jason Lee Dunham，1981/11/10-2004/4/22）
部队：第1陆战远征军第1陆战师第7陆战团第3营K连
军衔：下士
阵亡时间：2004年4月22日
阵亡地点：伊拉克胡萨伊巴
战斗经历：2004年4月14日，杜哈姆和战友们在伊拉克胡萨伊巴地区检查一辆先前遭受攻击的美军车辆，他们发现在事发地不远处停着几辆伊拉克人的汽车，随即上前检查。车里的人突然向美军开火，在交火中，武装分子向美军扔出了一枚手榴弹，杜哈姆猛地扑在了上面，吸收了手榴弹的爆炸能量，并因此负了重伤。他在被送往医院后8天不治身亡。由于在战斗中表现出的勇气和牺牲精神，杜哈姆被授予国会荣誉勋章。他是越南战争后第一位获得这一荣誉的海军陆战队员。
2007年1月11日，杜哈姆的父母从布什总统手中接过了荣誉勋章。2007年3月20日，美国海军宣布一艘新型导弹驱逐舰被命名为贾森-杜哈姆号。2007年4月11日，佐治亚州的一个海军陆战队军营被以杜哈姆的名字命名。加利福尼亚的圣迭戈和南卡罗莱纳的帕里斯岛海军陆战队基地也都有以他的名字命名的训练营。




杜哈姆生前的防弹衣

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satanzero

姓名：罗斯-A-麦克吉尼斯（Ross A. McGinnis，1987/6/14-2006/12/4）
部队：美国陆军第1步兵师第2战斗旅第26步兵团1营C连
军衔：一等兵
阵亡时间：2006年12月4日
阵亡地点：伊拉克阿德哈米亚
战斗经历：2006年12月4日，麦克吉尼斯所在的排在阿德哈米亚地区巡逻时，一枚手榴弹突然从路边扔进了他所在的悍马车，麦克吉尼斯立即对车里的另外4名战友喊“手榴弹”，然后他背部着地压在了手榴弹上，吸收了绝大部分爆炸的能量。麦克吉尼斯当场身亡，其余4名战友仅受轻微伤。由于在面对危险时表现出的勇气和无私精神，麦克吉尼斯被授予国会荣誉勋章。
2008年6月3日，麦克吉尼斯的父母从布什总统手中接过了荣誉勋章。位于宾夕法尼亚州的一个老兵中心将以他的名字命名。


The Story of SPC Ross A. McGinnis1st Platoon, C Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division (attached to 2nd BCT, 2ID)Parents: Tom and Romayne McGinnis
Siblings: Becky Gorman and Katie McGinnis
Hometownv: Knox, Pennsylvania
Enlisted: Delayed Entry Program June 14, 2004 at the Pittsburgh MEPS. Completed initial entry training at Fort Benning, Georgia
Assignments: 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment (Schweinfurt, Germany)
Deployments: Operation Iraqi Freedom
Spc. McGinnis’ dedication to duty and love for his fellow Soldiers were embodied in a statement issued by his parents shortly after his death:“Ross did not become our hero by dying to save his fellow Soldiers from a grenade. He was a hero to us long before he died, because he was willing to risk his life to protect the ideals of freedom and justice that America represents. He has been recommended for the Medal of Honor… That is not why he gave his life. The lives of four men who were his Army brothers outweighed the value of his one life. It was just a matter of simple kindergarten arithmetic. Four means more than one. It didn’t matter to Ross that he could have escaped the situation without a scratch. Nobody would have questioned such a reflex reaction. What mattered to him were the four men placed in his care on a moment’s notice. One moment he was responsible for defending the rear of a convoy from enemy fire; the next moment he held the lives of four of his friends in his hands. The choice for Ross was simple, but simple does not mean easy. His straightforward answer to a simple but difficult choice should stand as a shining example for the rest of us. We all face simple choices, but how often do we choose to make a sacrifice to get the right answer? The right choice sometimes requires honor.”
Ross Andrew McGinnis was born June 14, 1987 in Meadville, PA. His family moved to Knox, northeast of Pittsburgh, when he was three. There he attended Clarion County public schools, and was a member of the Boy Scouts as a boy. Growing up he played basketball and soccer through the YMCA, and Little League baseball. Ross was a member of the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Knox, and a 2005 graduate of Keystone Junior-Senior High School.
Ross’s interests included video games and mountain biking. He was also a car enthusiast, and took classes at the Clarion County Career Center in automotive technology. He also worked part-time at McDonald’s after school.
His mother, Romayne, said Ross wanted to be a Soldier early in life. When asked to draw a picture of what he wanted to be when he grew up, Ross McGinnis, the kindergartner, drew a picture of a Soldier.
On his 17th birthday, June 14, 2004, Ross went to the Army recruiting station and joined through the delayed entry program.

After initial entry training at Fort Benning, Georgia, McGinnis was assigned to 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment in Schweinfurt, Germany. According to fellow Soldiers, he loved Soldiering and took his job seriously, but he also loved to make people laugh. One fellow Soldier commented that every time McGinnis left a room, he left the Soldiers in it laughing.
The unit deployed to Eastern Baghdad in August 2006, where sectarian violence was rampant. Ross was serving as an M2 .50 caliber machine gunner in 1st Platoon, C Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment is support of operations against insurgents in Adhamiyah, Iraq.
According to the official report, on the afternoon of Dec. 4, 2006, McGinnis’ platoon was on mounted patrol in Adhamiyah to restrict enemy movement and quell sectarian violence. During the course of the patrol, an unidentified insurgent positioned on a rooftop nearby threw a fragmentation grenade into the Humvee. Without hesitation or regard for his own life, McGinnis threw his back over the grenade, pinning it between his body and the Humvee’s radio mount. McGinnis absorbed all lethal fragments and the concussive effects of the grenade with his own body. McGinnis, who was a private first class at the time, was posthumously promoted to specialist. Spc. McGinnis’s heroic actions and tragic death are detailed in the battlescape section of this website and in his Medal of Honor Citation.
Army Decorations: Medal of Honor (to be presented to Tom and Romayne McGinnis at a June 2, 2008 White House Ceremony), Silver Star (awarded for valor exhibited during the events of Dec. 4, 2006, pending processing and approval of Medal of Honor), Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and Combat Infantryman Badge.

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satanzero

姓名：米歇尔-A-蒙索（Michael A. Monsoor，1981/4/5-2006/9/29）
部队：美国海军海豹三队
军衔：中士
阵亡时间：2006年9月29日
阵亡地点：伊拉克拉马迪市
战斗经历：2006年9月29日，蒙索和战友在拉马迪与武装分子发生交火，打死打伤各1人后，美军估计会遇到武装分子的反击，于是包括蒙索在内的4名海豹队员和3名伊军登上一栋建筑的屋顶警戒。突然，藏在屋顶下的一名武装分子扔上来一枚手榴弹，正好落在蒙索和另两名海豹队员之间，蒙索喊了一声“手榴弹”，便扑在了上面。瞬间手榴弹爆炸，蒙索的身体吸收了绝大多数爆炸的能量，他于30分钟后伤重不治；其余两名海豹队员只收了轻伤。由于他在面对危险时表现出的勇气和牺牲精神，蒙索被授予国会荣誉勋章。
2008年4月8日，蒙索的父母从布什总统手中接过了荣誉勋章。2008年10月，美国海军将一艘新型驱逐舰以蒙索的名字命名。

Petty Officer Second Class (SEAL)
Michael Anthony Monsoor
April 5, 1981 – Sept. 29, 2006

Petty Officer Second Class Michael Anthony Monsoor was born April 5, 1981 in Long Beach, Calif.  Michael grew up in Garden Grove, Calif., as the third of four children of George and Sally Monsoor. He has an older brother James and older sister Sara, and a younger brother Joseph. Michael attended Dr. Walter C. Ralston Intermediate School and Garden Grove High School where he played tight end on the Argonaut football team and graduated in 1999. An incredible athlete, Mike enjoyed snowboarding, body boarding, spear fishing, motorcycle riding, and driving his Corvette. His quiet demeanor and dedication to his friends matched the “Silent Warrior” SEAL mentality that was to become his calling in life.   Michael enlisted in the U.S. Navy March 21, 2001, and attended Basic Training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.  Upon graduation from basic training, he attended Quartermaster “A” School, and then transferred to Naval Air Station, Sigonella, Italy for a short period of time. Petty Officer Monsoor entered Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training in Coronado, Calif., and subsequently graduated with Class 250 on Sept. 2, 2004 as one of the top performers in his class. After BUD/S, he completed advanced SEAL training courses including parachute training at Basic Airborne School, Fort Benning, Ga., cold weather combat training in Kodiak, Alaska, and six months of SEAL Qualification Training in Coronado, graduating in March 2005. The following month, his rating changed from Quartermaster to Master-at-Arms, and he was assigned to SEAL Team 3 Delta Platoon. He deployed with his platoon to Iraq in April 2006 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and was assigned to Task Unit Bravo in Ar Ramadi. From April to Sept. 29, 2006, Mike served as a heavy weapons machine gunner in Delta Platoon, SEAL Team 3.  During combat patrols he walked behind the platoon point man with his Mk 48 machinegun so that he could protect his platoon from a frontal enemy attack.  Mike was also a SEAL communicator.  On 15 operations, he carried a rucksack full of communications equipment in addition to his machinegun and full ammunition load-out.  Collectively it weighed more than 100 pounds.  He bore the weight without a single complaint, even in the midst of the 130 degree Western Iraqi summer. Mike and his platoon operated in a highly contested part of Ramadi city called the Ma’laab district. During their deployment, Mike and his fellow SEALS came under enemy attack on 75 percent of their missions.  On May 9, 2006 Mike rescued a SEAL who was shot in the leg. He ran out into the street with another SEAL, shot cover fire and dragged his comrade to safety while enemy bullets kicked up the concrete at their feet.  For this brave action, he earned a Silver Star. The enemy could not deter Michael and his SEAL platoon.  They fought in 35 heated firefights; during these incidents Mike shot tens of thousands of 7.62 millimeter rounds to cover Delta Platoon’s movement through streets that seemed to be paved with fire.  In the Ma’laab district, Michael perfected his skills as an urban machine gunner.  Once he and his men established a sniper overwatch position, he deftly transitioned to his role as a SEAL communicator calling in tank support and transmitting enemy situation reports to the 1-506 PIR Commander.   Delta Platoon executed a broad spectrum of combat operations in and around Ramadi. They patrolled bravely through the city streets engaging in firefights while on other occasions, they ambushed insurgent mortar teams near the banks of the Euphrates River.  Mike and his fellow SEALs accounted for 84 enemy fighters killed in action and the detainment of numerous insurgents. Most notably, the Army Infantry, Navy SEAL and Iraqi Army combined force helped to pacify the most violent city in Al Anbar province setting conditions for the Sunni Awakening. Petty Officer Monsoor was subsequently awarded the Bronze Star as the Task Unit Ramadi, Iraq Combat Advisor from April to September 2006. His leadership, guidance and decisive actions during 11 different combat operations saved the lives of his teammates, other Coalition Forces and Iraqi Army soldiers. Petty Officer Second Class (SEAL) Michael A. Monsoor will receive the Medal of Honor posthumously in a ceremony at the White House April 8, 2008. He will receive the award for his actions in Ar Ramadi, Iraq on Sept. 29, 2006. On that day, Monsoor was part of a sniper overwatch security position with three other SEALs and eight Iraqi Army (IA) soldiers. An insurgent closed in and threw a fragmentation grenade into the overwatch position. The grenade hit Monsoor in the chest before falling to the ground. Positioned next to the single exit, Monsoor was the only one who could have escaped harm. Instead, he dropped onto the grenade to shield the others from the blast. Monsoor died approximately 30 minutes later from wounds sustained from the blast. Because of Petty Officer Monsoor’s actions, he saved the lives of his 3 teammates and the IA soldiers. Though he carried himself in a calm and composed fashion, he constantly led the charge to bring the fight to the enemy. His teammates recall his sense of loyalty to God, family, and his team.  He attended Catholic Mass devotionally before operations, and often spoke lovingly of his family - his older brother, a police officer and former Marine for whom he held great respect; his sister, a nurse; and his younger brother, a college football player. Mike was one of the bravest men on the battlefield, never allowing the enemy to discourage him. He remained fearless while facing constant danger, and through his selfless nature and aggressive actions, saved the lives of coalition soldiers and his fellow SEALs.  He was a loyal friend and exceptional SEAL, and he is sorely missed by his brothers in Task Unit Bravo. He is survived by his mother Sally, his father George, his sister Sara, and his two brothers James and Joseph.

MASTER-AT-ARMS SECOND CLASS (SEA, AIR AND LAND) MICHAEL A. MONSOOR
UNITED STATES NAVY

For service as set forth in the followingCITATION:FOR CONSPICUOUS GALLANTRY AND INTREPIDITY AT THE RISK OF HIS LIFE ABOVE AND BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY AS AUTOMATIC WEAPONS GUNNER FOR NAVAL SPECIAL WARFARE TASK GROUP ARABIAN PENINSULA, IN SUPPORT OF OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM ON 29 SEPTEMBER 2006. AS A MEMBER OF A COMBINED SEAL AND IRAQI ARMY SNIPER OVERWATCH ELEMENT, TASKED WITH PROVIDING EARLY WARNING AND STAND-OFF PROTECTION FROM A ROOFTOP IN AN INSURGENT HELD SECTOR OF AR RAMADI, IRAQ, PETTY OFFICER MONSOOR DISTINGUISHED HIMSELF BY HIS EXCEPTIONAL BRAVERY IN THE FACE OF GRAVE DANGER. IN THE EARLY MORNING, INSURGENTS PREPARED TO EXECUTE A COORDINATED ATTACK BY RECONNOITERING THE AREA AROUND THE ELEMENT’S POSITION. ELEMENT SNIPERS THWARTED THE ENEMY’S INITIAL ATTEMPT BY ELIMINATING TWO INSURGENTS. THE ENEMY CONTINUED TO ASSAULT THE ELEMENT, ENGAGING THEM WITH A ROCKET-PROPELLED GRENADE AND SMALL ARMS FIRE. AS ENEMY ACTIVITY INCREASED, PETTY OFFICER MONSOOR TOOK POSITION WITH HIS MACHINE GUN BETWEEN TWO TEAMMATES ON AN OUTCROPPING OF THE ROOF. WHILE THE SEALS VIGILANTLY WATCHED FOR ENEMY ACTIVITY, AN INSURGENT THREW A HAND GRENADE FROM AN UNSEEN LOCATION, WHICH BOUNCED OFF PETTY OFFICER MONSOOR’S CHEST AND LANDED IN FRONT OF HIM. ALTHOUGH ONLY HE COULD HAVE ESCAPED THE BLAST, PETTY OFFICER MONSOOR CHOSE INSTEAD TO PROTECT HIS TEAMMATES.  INSTANTLY AND WITHOUT REGARD FOR HIS OWN SAFETY, HE THREW HIMSELF ONTO THE GRENADE TO ABSORB THE FORCE OF THE EXPLOSION WITH HIS BODY, SAVING THE LIVES OF HIS TWO TEAMMATES. BY HIS UNDAUNTED COURAGE, FIGHTING SPIRIT, AND UNWAVERING DEVOTION TO DUTY IN THE FACE OF CERTAIN DEATH, PETTY OFFICER MONSOOR GALLANTLY GAVE HIS LIFE FOR HIS COUNTRY, THEREBY REFLECTING GREAT CREDIT UPON HIMSELF AND UPHOLDING THE HIGHEST TRADITIONS OF THE UNITED STATES NAVAL SERVICE. SIGNED GEORGE W. BUSH

Summary of Action
Petty Officer Second Class (SEAL) Michael A. Monsoor
For actions on Sept. 29, 2006

Petty Officer Michael A. Monsoor, United States Navy, distinguished himself through conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a Combat Advisor and Automatic Weapons Gunner for Naval Special Warfare Task Group Arabian Peninsula in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom on 29 September 2006.  He displayed great personal courage and exceptional bravery while conducting operations in enemy held territory at Ar Ramadi Iraq.             During Operation Kentucky Jumper, a combined Coalition battalion clearance and isolation operation in southern Ar Ramadi, he served as automatic weapons gunner in a combined SEAL and Iraqi Army (IA) sniper overwatch element positioned on a residential rooftop in a violent sector and historical stronghold for insurgents.  In the morning, his team observed four enemy fighters armed with AK-47s reconnoitering from roads in the sector to conduct follow-on attacks.  SEAL snipers from his roof engaged two of them which resulted in one enemy wounded in action and one enemy killed in action.  A mutually supporting SEAL/IA position also killed an enemy fighter during the morning hours. After the engagements, the local populace blocked off the roads in the area with rocks to keep civilians away and to warn insurgents of the presence of his Coalition sniper element.  Additionally, a nearby mosque called insurgents to arms to fight Coalition Forces.             In the early afternoon, enemy fighters attacked his position with automatic weapons fire from a moving vehicle.  The SEALs fired back and stood their ground.  Shortly thereafter, an enemy fighter shot a rocket-propelled grenade at his building.  Though well-acquainted with enemy tactics in Ar Ramadi, and keenly aware that the enemy would continue to attack, the SEALs remained on the battlefield in order to carry out the mission of guarding the western flank of the main effort.               Due to expected enemy action, the officer in charge repositioned him with his automatic heavy machine gun in the direction of the enemy’s most likely avenue of approach.  He placed him in a small, confined sniper hide-sight between two SEAL snipers on an outcropping of the roof, which allowed the three SEALs maximum coverage of the area.  He was located closest to the egress route out of the sniper hide-sight watching for enemy activity through a tactical periscope over the parapet wall. While vigilantly watching for enemy activity, an enemy fighter hurled a hand grenade onto the roof from an unseen location.  The grenade hit him in the chest and bounced onto the deck. He immediately leapt to his feet and yelled “grenade” to alert his teammates of impending danger, but they could not evacuate the sniper hide-sight in time to escape harm.  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 grenade detonated as he came down on top of it, mortally wounding him.             Petty Officer Monsoor’s actions could not have been more selfless or clearly intentional.  Of the three SEALs on that rooftop corner, he had the only avenue of escape away from the blast, and if he had so chosen, he could have easily escaped.  Instead, Monsoor chose to protect his comrades by the sacrifice of his own life.  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.

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flyjack

顶这些英雄！不顶战争的真正制造者

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