George Monsoor is Michael’s father and a Marine veteran. He was born in Wisconsin and moved to Southern California at an early age. He and his wife, Sally, have been married for forty-nine years and have four children, including Michael, along with nine grandchildren. He has spent more than five decades in the business and entrepreneurial fields and continues to reside Southern California. Rose Rea has worked with high-end regional and national publications for fifteen years, including founding her own, which she has since sold. She is also the creator of the coffee-table book Spirit and Life. She is a SEAL wife and mother of six children and resides in San Diego, CA.
'As an unknown person once said, 'Someday when the pages of my life end, I know that my son will be one of the most beautiful chapters.' Defend Us in Battle does just that. The values instilled in Michael at an early age epitomize those held by his fellow Medal of Honor Recipients--courage, commitment, integrity, sacrifice, citizenship, and patriotism. The simple act of saving the lives of his brothers by sacrificing his own, while a moment in time, is the culmination of his life experiences--learning to overcome obstacles and injuries. He never gave up on his dream of becoming one of America's elite special operations units. Truly inspirational.' * John Falkenbury, Executive Vice President of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society * 'Michael 'Mikey' Monsoor's life and service will be an inspiration for generations. In Defend Us in Battle, George Monsoor and Rose Rea (with help from other friends and family) tell his story with vigor, verve, and heartfelt emotion. Their insight and devotion to the man and the country he selflessly served are evident on every page, providing a rare, intimate portrait of a hero.' * Jim DeFelice, Coauthor of American Sniper * 'Defend Us in Battle is a powerful narrative about modern warfare and a tribute to Michael and his teammates. It is also an American family's story. The Medal of Honor is awarded for an act of such courage that no one could rightly be expected to underate it. Nothing in our SEAL training would have led Michael to do what he did. Yet for those of us who knew him, especially his teammates in Task Unit Bruiser, we were not surprised by what he did. His mother, Sally, and father, George, were his examples of love, selflessness, and service above self. It is the nurturing of our families that gives SEAL warriors courage. It is this dedication to ideals greater than self that gives us strength.' * Vice Admiral Joseph Maguire, USN (Ret.) *