Navy SEAL to Receive Medal of Honor

A U.S. Navy SEAL who was killed when he threw himself on a grenade is to be awarded America's highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael A. Monsoor, 25, was part of a SEAL sniper team that was operating in the Iraqi town of Ramadi, a hotbed of insurgent activity, in September 2006. The building the SEAL snipers were firing from came under attack by a group of insurgents, one of whom lobbed a hand grenade into the SEAL's position. Without a moment's hesitation, Monsoor jumped onto the grenade, shielding his fellow SEALs from the blast. This selfless act saved his brothers in arm's lives but cost him his own as, sadly, Monsoor died from his wounds within 30 minutes.

The brave SEAL's family will receive the medal during a White House ceremony April 8.

Monsoor, a platoon machine gunner, had previously received the Silver Star, the third-highest award for combat valor, for his actions pulling a wounded SEAL to safety during a May 9, 2006, firefight in Ramadi.

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