Sgt rafael peralta medal of honor

Posted on: Tuesday, January 22,

Marine may finally get Medal of Honor

By William Cole
Advertiser Military Writer

Rafael Peralta, U.S. Marine Corps Peralta, 25, from San Diego, was with the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines out of Kane'ohe Bay. He was killed on Nov. 15, , in Fallujah, Iraq, on a house-clearing mission after he cradled an enemy grenade to his body. Comrades say his actions saved up to five other Marines.

THE BATTLE OF FALLUJAH

Up to 15, American troops took part in the Battle of Fallujah in early November , including the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, from Hawai'i. The house-to-house fighting in the operation, also called al-Fajr (the dawn), was compared to the urban combat in Hue City in Vietnam. By Nov. 15, 38 U.S. troops had died in the battle.

For the better part of three years, the refrain from grunts in the Marine Corps has been, "What about Peralta?"

More specifically, the question they have is about Sgt. Rafael Peralta's Medal of Honor recommendation, and where it stands.

Finally, there may be some good news.

Rosa Peralta, his mother, received a call just be

11 years after Marine's death in Fallujah, family finally accepts his Navy Cross

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After a decade fighting authorities saying her son deserved the nation's highest honor - the Medal of Honor - Rafael Peralta's mother received the Navy Cross on his behalf at a ceremony at Camp Pendelton Monday. It is is the second-highest combat decoration a Marine can receive for gallantry in action.

"Me standing here is testament that he saved my life," said Staff Sergeant Adam Morrison, 30, who was feet away from Peralta during the assault. "He truly saved my life and he deserves the highest respect."

The effort to get Peralta, 25, the Medal of Honor started soon after his death. Peralta was killed in house-to-house fighting during the brutal battle for Fallujah, Iraq, on November 15, Peralta led an assault on an insurgent-controlled house. First through the door when enemy fighters shot at the Marines with automatic weapons, he was hit repeatedly.

Morrison said he saw P

He served the United States with enthusiam and patriotism. In his parents bedroom walls hung only three items:
(1.) A Copy of the United States Constitution
(2.) A Copy of the Bill of Rights
(3.) A Copy of his Boot Camp Graduate Certificate.

Before he set out to Fallujah, Iraq, he wrote to his brother Ricardo() "Be proud of me and be proud of being an American."

For his heroism and selfless sacrifice, his Marine Corps Commandant recommended Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta for the Medal of Honor. Members of California's congressional delegation, Rep. Duncan Hunter, Senator Diane Feinstein, Senator Barbara Boxer, Rep. Brian B Bilbray, and others, signed a letter to President Bush. (shown at right)

Peralta joined the Marine Corps the day after he received his "Green Card" and became a United States Citizen while in uniform. In Dec. Congressman Bob Filner introduced legislation to award Sgt. Peralta the Medal of Honor. As of Jan 22, A Medal of Honor was still awaiting Presidential approval. The have, however, named a Guided Missle Destroyer after him(DDG )

Rafael Peralta
Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps

Rafael Peralta was born on 7 April in Mexico City, Mexico, the oldest child of Rafael and Rosa Peralta.

He and his family entered the United States illegally to allow Rafael to attend school in San Diego, CA, in order to avoid the gang violence in Tijuana. At that time, Rafael spoke no English. He graduated from Morse High School in San Diego in and, inspired to become a U.S. Marine, Rafael wanted to enlist in the Marine Corps immediately after graduation. However, he had to wait until he became a lawful permanent resident. He enlisted the same day in that he received his "Green Card." Rafael's father was killed in a freak workplace accident in , leaving him as the head of household.

Rafael earned his U.S. citizenship while serving on active duty in the Marine Corps. A true patriot, Rafael's bedroom wall bore only three neatly-framed paper documents: The U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and his Marine Corps 'boot camp' graduation certificate. Before he set out for Fallujah, Rafael wrote to his year-old brother, 'Be proud of me, bro and be proud of being an American.'"

On 15 November , Sergeant Rafael Peralta was serving a

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