As of today this marine who died in Iraq eight years ago –
and whose family and lawmakers had been pushing for him to receive the Medal of
Honor – will not receive the military’s highest distinction, the secretary of
defense ruled Wednesday.
Sgt. Peralta was leading a squad of Marines in Fallujah on
Nov. 15, 2004. He and his team were searching a house for insurgents when they
were met by enemy gunfire. During an ensuing gun battle, Peralta was shot by
friendly fire. Marines who were with him during the battle said an insurgent
threw a grenade at the squad, and Sgt. Peralta picked it up and placed it under
his body, an act they claimed saved the lives of many others.
The Pentagon says it supports the decision by former Defense
Secretary Robert Gates, who ruled Peralta was not conscious and brain dead when
his body smothered the grenade. Thus, his actions were not intentional.
The case was reopened this year after Rep. Duncan Hunter
(R-Alpine) obtained a video of the battle action and a new forensics report.
The lawmaker said the new evidence proved Peralta's actions were intentional. But
defense officials said they found the new evidence was not sufficient to change
the decision.
The President, in the name of Congress, has awarded more
than 3,400 Medals of Honor to our nation's bravest Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen,
Marines, and Coast Guardsmen since the decoration's creation in 1861.
Please sign the petition to posthumously award Sgt. Rafael
Peralta the Medal of Honor for performing an unselfish act of heroism, above
and beyond the call of duty, resulting in the saved lives of other Marines.
THE STORY:
SIGN THE PETITION: http://wh.gov/R9xN
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