Family of Rafael Peralta, fallen Iraq War hero, to accept Navy Cross. Do you think he should have received the Medal of Honor?

2015-05-28T15:57:13-04:00

The family of one of the most celebrated Marine Corps heroes of the Iraq War will soon accept the nation’s second-highest award for valor on his behalf, nearly 11 years after he was killed in combat and almost seven years after the Pentagon made the controversial decision to deny him the Medal of Honor.

Sgt. Rafael Peralta will soon receive the Navy Cross posthumously during a ceremony at Camp Pendleton, Calif., said his younger brother, Ricardo. Peralta’s mother, Rosa, still believes the sergeant deserves the nation’s highest award for heroism in combat, but is tired after years of appeals. She had refused to receive the Navy Cross, citing her belief he deserved the higher award.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2015/05/28/family-of-rafael-peralta-fallen-iraq-war-hero-to-accept-navy-cross-award-after-long-refusal/?tid=HP_national?tid=HP_national

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Family of Rafael Peralta, fallen Iraq war hero, to accept Navy Cross award after long refusal

The Marine is credited with smothering a grenade to save his buddies -- but was denied the Medal of Honor.

Response by 1LT Nick Kidwell made May 28 at 2015 4:04 PM

2015-05-28T16:04:01-04:00

IMHO, he should have. His act of heroism was not as grandiose as say, Audie Murphy's, but he sacrificed himself to save Marines.

I think Civilian authorities should just accept the MOH recommendations from the Generals involved...

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2015 4:08 PM

2015-05-28T16:08:27-04:00

We should do everything that we can in honor of this guy!

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2015 4:24 PM

2015-05-28T16:24:53-04:00

So, why wouldn't they go even further and discredit the first hand accounts of the Marines that were there? It sounds like they are more intersted in denying something instead of approving it. I would think once the Generals that approved it the medal would be approved the rest of the way up.

Am I wrong for thinking this Gunny?

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made May 28 at 2015 4:56 PM

2015-05-28T16:56:12-04:00

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2015 5:25 PM

2015-05-28T17:25:03-04:00

While I am clearly not a Marine, this Marine and his legacy was marred by persons not wanting to recognized him properly. When I first read (years ago) when and how he died and how he was denied the MOH, even I was outraged. This Marine earned the MOH IMHO.

Response by HN Vonda Auxer made May 28 at 2015 5:52 PM

2015-05-28T17:52:56-04:00

The question to if he knew what he was doing is a moot point. The fact is, he was a Marine who died, and because of his death, fellow Marines were saved. If that is not a legitimate reason for getting the medal of honor, then I don't know was is.

Response by LCpl Justin Cuevas made May 28 at 2015 7:20 PM

2015-05-28T19:20:11-04:00

I think the political and civilian world clouded this entire situation, he clearly was deserving of it through the actions he took and I don't believe his family will settle but the fighting only adds pain to the sad situation.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made May 28 at 2015 8:30 PM

2015-05-28T20:30:09-04:00

His award (Navy Cross) citation has this "Sergeant Peralta reached out and pulled the grenade to his body, absorbing the brunt of the blast and shielding fellow Marines only feet away."

That said, the MoH or Navy Cross isn't what makes him a Hero. It's his actions that day. He should be appropriately recognized for those actions.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2015 1:39 AM

2015-05-29T01:39:43-04:00

I remember reading about him in Stars and Stripes in 2004 while deployed in Iraq...OIF II/3rd BCT "Dukes of Diyala" 1st ID out of Vilseck, Germany.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2015 1:40 AM

2015-05-29T01:40:07-04:00

He deserves the Medal of Honor.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2015 1:43 AM

2015-05-29T01:43:41-04:00

RIP.....Hooahhhh! Semper Fi!!

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2015 12:04 PM

2015-05-30T12:04:42-04:00

Since when has smothering a grenade to save others' lives not resulted in receiving the CMOH??? Seems like something else may be afoot here...perhaps politics???

Response by GySgt Patrick Metcalf made Jun 4 at 2015 3:23 PM

2015-06-04T15:23:09-04:00

Yes, he should be given the MOH. Simply put, he earned it by sacrificing his life to save others.

Response by MSG Donald R. Lee, M.B.A. made Jun 4 at 2015 9:03 PM

2015-06-04T21:03:43-04:00

First off, let's agree that the Navy Cross is not a chump award. It IS the second highest award for valor in the Navy and Marine Corps. Let's not treat it like a Campaign Medal.

Second, I share your frustration in that this Marine seems to be deserving of the MOH and for reasons unknown to me, is being denied it. What makes the case suspect for me, is that one of the main reasons cited in the article for the denial is the question of whether Sgt. Peralta "consciously" acted to cover the grenade with his body because of the wound to his head. A reasonable question perhaps...if not for the fact that his Navy Cross citation states:

"The grenade came to rest near Sergeant Peralta’s head. Without hesitation and with complete disregard for his own personal safety, Sergeant Peralta reached out and pulled the grenade to his body, absorbing the brunt of the blast and shielding fellow Marines only feet away."

Seems to me the government has already answered the question. Whatever the limitations to his cognitive abilities (can anyone REALLY know this?) because of a head wound, Sgt. Peralta acted "conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty— " (from United States Code Title 10, Subtitle C, Part II, Chapter 567, Criteria For the Medal of Honor).

Response by Cpl Ron Ortiz made Jun 5 at 2015 10:57 AM

2015-06-05T10:57:13-04:00

While our politicians may not honor his memory, I've made it a point to live my life with honor for the sacrifice and dedication Sgt Peralta made for my freedom. Whether or not he inherently knew he was already dying. He Still made a cognitive decision that he so loved the troops he was with that he would shield them from injury or evil.
God Bless you Sgt Peralta may your spirit live forever in the brotherhood of United States Marines.
Semper Fidelis

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Jun 11 at 2015 2:00 PM

2015-06-11T14:00:05-04:00

The Navy Cross is a damn fine award. Chesty had 5 of them, no MOH for him. Peralta's courage and sacrifice is not lessened because of the award given. Those he saved are still saved, the selflessness of the act is no less selfless.

Having a Navy Ship named after you is pretty nice too. Not too many enlisted Marines get that treatment.

He wasn't denied the medal of honor as the story says. He was awarded the Navy Cross. No one is entitled to the MOH for heroism.

Response by LCpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2015 10:35 AM

2015-07-17T10:35:58-04:00

I think he did. A lot of people have that didn't receive a thing.

At the end of the day, heroes don't die for medals. He was just happy doing what was right.

I think it's good for his family that he's getting recognized. It's important to see that a significant family member's death did not go unnoticed.

As for the MOH on our side, it's important to highlight our fallen and surviving brother and sister's sacrifices. Citations are a method of motivation starting in boot camp on. It has always baffled me who makes these decisions and why they award what they do.

The Navy Cross is nothing to sneeze at, but I believe the MOH should be awarded to everyone that has and exceptional and outstanding warriors death. It's not like someone should be holding up a 5.4 for bad form on your way to the ground.

Response by LCpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2015 10:41 AM

2015-07-17T10:41:22-04:00

Sorry. I can't get back into the discussion for some reason.