VOA常速英语2008年-Bush Awards Medal of Honor to Sailor Killed in

By Scott Stearns
White House
08 April 2008

President Bush has presented America's highest military award to the parents of a Navy special operations sailor killed in Iraq two years ago. VOA White House Correspondent Scott Stearns has the story.

Petty Officer Second Class Michael Monsoor went to Ramadi in 2006 as part of a Navy SEAL special operations force to train Iraqi troops.

In September of that year, Monsoor and three SEAL snipers took up a rooftop position during a firefight with insurgents¹. The Defense² Department says a grenade thrown from the street below hit Monsoor in the chest and dropped to the roof. The 25-year-old gunner covered the grenade with his body - saving the lives of his comrades, but suffering wounds that took his life 30 minutes later.

President Bush recognized that sacrifice by presenting Monsoor's parents, George and Sally Monsoor, with a posthumous³ Medal of Honor.

"Mr. and Mrs. Monsoor, America owes you a debt that can never be repaid," he said.  "This nation will always cherish the memory of your son.  We will not let his life go in vain.  This nation will always honor the sacrifice he made.  May God comfort you.  May God bless America."

More than 4,000 American servicemen and women have died in Iraq. Michael Monsoor is the fourth person to receive the Medal of Honor in the fight against terrorism.

1 insurgents   

n.起义，暴动，造反( insurgent的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The regular troops of Baden joined the insurgents. 巴登的正规军参加到起义军方面来了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Against the Taliban and Iraqi insurgents, these problems are manageable. 要对付塔利班与伊拉克叛乱分子，这些问题还是可以把握住的。 来自互联网

2 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

3 posthumous   

adj.遗腹的；父亡后出生的；死后的，身后的

参考例句：

• He received a posthumous award for bravery.他表现勇敢，死后受到了嘉奖。
• The legendary actor received a posthumous achievement award.这位传奇男星在过世后获得终身成就奖的肯定。