KIA Marine Again Denied Medal of Honor

[SlightlyCatholic]

November 20, 2008
Associated Press

LOS ANGELES - The Department of Defense has reaffirmed its decision not to award the Medal of Honor to a Marine from San Diego who witnesses say threw himself on a grenade to save his colleagues during fierce fighting in Fallujah, Iraq, in 2004.

Rep. Duncan Hunter and other politicians had appealed a decision to instead award Sgt. Rafael Peralta the Navy Cross, the second-highest medal the Navy can bestow for valor.

Peralta's nomination was tainted by reports he was hit in the head by friendly fire shortly before an insurgent lobbed the grenade, but witnesses described how the mortally wounded Marine deliberately grabbed the grenade and pulled it to his chest to protect fellow troops from the blast.

In a letter dated Tuesday, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said five independent experts - three medical doctors, a general and a Medal of Honor recipient - reviewed the forensic evidence and unanimously found it did not meet standards because they could not be sure Peralta acted deliberately.

California's senators and five San Diego-area representatives wrote to President George W. Bush, asking him to reconsider the decision and recognize Peralta's sacrifice to his comrades and his country.

"Intentionally absorbing a grenade blast to protect one's comrades in arms has been traditionally recognized by awarding the Medal of Honor," they wrote.

"It doesn't seem fair or valid to me," the Marine's mother, Rose Peralta, 51, who lives near San Diego, told The Associated Press. "All the boys who were there say he was alive when he grabbed (the grenade)."

Peralta said she was surprised to get a response from Gates, when the politicians had directed their latest appeal to the president.

George Sagba, an attorney for Peralta's family, said he thinks the officials don't want to admit they made a mistake.

Sagba noted the experts did not rule out the possibility that Peralta, who had been shot in the head and upper body during a house-to-house search, could have intentionally reached for the grenade. Sagba said he is pursuing home video shot by Peralta's colleagues on the day he died.

"This video can show exactly who was there, the blast fragments, all that stuff," he said.

The family intends to appeal after President-elect Barack Obama takes office.

"People always ask me, 'How is the appeal going? Don't stop fighting. How can I help?'" Rosa Peralta said in Spanish. "Even without the medal, my son is a hero, just like all everyone who fights for this country and liberty."

Peralta was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment at Marine Corps Base Hawaii at Kaneohe Bay.

The reason this story is starting the thread is because it seems like this woman is campaigning for her son rather than honoring his memory. Maybe it's just me, but I think she should be happy that her son is going to A) be recognized for his actions and B) given the second highest award available to military people in the Department of the Navy. Is this lady wrong to be demanding the Medal of Honor for her son? I understand the reason for her persistance, but it just seems a little excessive to me. What's wrong with a Navy Cross?

[PaulR]

I was thinking the same thing Tim. I would be proud if my child were to receive the Navy Cross for something like that. I find it disappointing that attorney's are coming into the mix for a medal... If you ask me, it takes away from the Honor of BOTH decorations.

Pathetic, if you ask me. It sounds as if the parents are wanting "bragging rights" to their son's sacrifice. My perception of this case makes me feel nauseated.

[SlightlyCatholic]

Just out of curiosity, what would happen if Sgt. Peralta had survived and was doing the same thing that his mother is trying to do now? It just seems like bad form to get an award on behalf of your son and then say, "Well...I REALLY wanted him to have THAT one." I've always been taught that whenever I'm given any award or recognition, I should show gratitude and humility for having been recognized at all. I don't mean to diminish the sergeant's service to our nation, but I do think it takes away from his memory to have a battle about whether or not he should deserve more than the Navy Cross.

[reddog]

I agree with you, Paul and would bet that Sgt. Peralta didn't become a Marine just to win medals. I don't think his last thoughts were, "oh' goody, I'll get the CMH for this." His Congressional Medal of Honor belongs to everyone of us who wore the Uniform. His thoughts were about the safety of his Brothers at his side and a mission that had to be done. I am certain the Marine Review Board got it right, they do, most of the time. (Key word being 'most'.) It makes me sick too, just to watch them drag his Honorable Deeds thru the ugly media.
I often think of those who have performed incredible acts of bravery, most certainly deserving this Highest Honor, but not having them witnessed by any other than his Creator. That's what the CMH stands for, not the bragging rights of others. Rest in Peace Sergeant Peralta, you are not forgotten...
Easy Brother,
Reddog...

[txb&b]

Not that I agree with it, but had Sgt. Peralta survived I seriously doubt that he would have been awarded the MOH. In today's world, it seems to require being KIA'd to even be considered.

I do agree that his mother is dishonoring his memory by trying to make an issue of it. At the same time, if there is evidence that he acted deliberately then his chain of command should be pursuing it. On one hand, you have 3 doctors examining the forensic evidence (head injury) and saying that it didn't meet the standards and on the other hand I can think of 2 troops that continued to wage a fierce battle after sustaining head injuries that were ultimately fatal.

[SlightlyCatholic]

At the same time, if there is evidence that he acted deliberately then his chain of command should be pursuing it.

The chain of command should be pursuing it, but not a disgruntled family member. It seems a bit arrogant for the mother of a Marine to claim to know better than a former MOH recipient, a general, and three medical doctors, especially after a formal investigation has been conducted. Maybe it's just me, but I don't believe in fighting for an award. If an award is given to someone or to their family member, they should accept it with a spirit of gratitude and not indignation. I think it would be a different story if his MOH was downgraded to the Combat Action Ribbon or something, but what they're giving Sgt. Peralta is still an extremely high award. Also, what's this about bringing in legal counsel? Is she trying to intimidate the military into upgrading the award? I don't understand that...

[CAPSmith]

Originally Posted by Seminarian_Tim

Also, what's this about bringing in legal counsel? Is she trying to intimidate the military into upgrading the award? I don't understand that...

Could just be an attorney that is familiar with dealing in military matters. She may have hired him to help her sort out her son's will and navigate through insurance paperwork, etc and is still on board while she's trying to get this "straightened out."

[SlightlyCatholic]

That's certainly possible. However, this:

Sagba noted the experts did not rule out the possibility that Peralta, who had been shot in the head and upper body during a house-to-house search, could have intentionally reached for the grenade. Sagba said he is pursuing home video shot by Peralta's colleagues on the day he died.

makes it seem like the family is using him to try to get the CMH for Peralta.

[CAPSmith]

Originally Posted by Seminarian_Tim

That's certainly possible. However, this:
makes it seem like the family is using him to try to get the CMH for Peralta.

Working your way through the process of getting that video could be rather overwhelming. I wouldn't even know where to start. The lawyer has a better chance of navigating through the bureaucracy than she does.

It may not be that the actual motive is to "ensure that her son gets the MoH" but rather just having the knowledge of "how" her son actually died. May sound morbid, but she may just want those questions answered.

She's recieving conflicting stories about the death of her son and just wants to ensure that his name is remembered for the truth of his actions. Inadvertantly though, she appears to be dragging his name through the mud. Perhaps she'll get more information than she really wanted - that may be unfortunate.

Either way, Sgt Peralta saved the lives of his those around him and that is what he will be remembered for. If it were me, I'd leave it at that.

[SlightlyCatholic]

Either way, Sgt Peralta saved the lives of his those around him and that is what he will be remembered for. If it were me, I'd leave it at that.

Agreed. I hope this woman comes to the realization that her son is a hero regardless of the award he receives.