About

 
Our ship’s motto is the decisive expression of Michael’s actions throughout his life and a reminder of the oath that every one of us took.  This oath requires individual readiness and willingness to lead, the humility to follow, and to never quit; in short, to do everything we can to make MICHAEL MONSOOR (DDG 1001) more ready every day.
   
Our crest is the visual representation of the professionals in MICHAEL MONSOOR (DDG 1001).  The inverted star is the central tenet because it represents the trust and commitment that we share with one another; surrounding the star are elements that represent the ship’s new technologies - technologies that we must master; and the shield represents our mission and is a reminder of the oath that every one of us from Seaman to Captain takes: to support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America.

Ship’s History

USS Michael Monsoor is the second of three Zumwalt-class destroyers built for the U.S. Navy, and is the newest integrated into the Fleet. The ship was delivered in a two-stage process whereby the ship initially commissioned prior to weapon systems installation and final acceptance, with final delivery of all weapons systems occurring in the second stage. USS Michael Monsoor commissioned on 26 January 2019 at Naval Air Station North Island, and has been homeported at Naval Base San Diego since. In the summer of 2022 the ship participated in the biennial multinational exercise Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) operating with maritime forces from 26 countries.



Petty Officer Second Class Michael Anthony Monsoor was born April 5, 1981 in Long Beach, CA.  Michael grew up in Garden Grove, CA, 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, IL.  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, CA, 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, AK, 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 Bruiser in Ar Ramadi.
 
 From April to Sept. 29, 2006, Mike served as a heavy weapons machine gunner.  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 and his fellow SEAL earned the Silver Star. The enemy could not deter Michael and his SEAL platoon.  They fought in 35 heated firefights.  In the Ma’laab district, Michael perfected his skills as an urban machine gunner.  Once he and his men established a sniper over watch 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.
 
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 Bruiser.
 
Petty Officer Second Class (SEAL) Michael A. Monsoor posthumously received the Medal of Honor in a ceremony at the White House April 8, 2008 for his actions in Ar Ramadi, Iraq on Sept. 29, 2006. On that day, Petty Officer Monsoor was part of a sniper over watch security position with three other SEALs and eight Iraqi Army (IA) soldiers. An insurgent closed in and threw a fragmentation grenade into the over watch 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. Petty Officer Monsoor’s actions saved the lives of his 3 teammates and the IA soldiers.
 
Michael Monsoor is survived by his mother Sally, his father George, his sister Sara, and his two brothers James and Joseph.  His gravesite is located at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, CA.