Marine not receiving his MOH, instead a Navy Cross

[greenberetTFS]

SAN DIEGO (Sept. 18) - A Marine sergeant singled out by President Bush for throwing his body on a grenade to save his comrades in Iraq will receive the prestigious Navy Cross rather than the nation's highest military award, military officials said.
The family of Sgt. Rafael Peralta, who was posthumously nominated for the nation's highest military honor, told the North County Times of Escondido, Calif., they were disappointed he was not receiving the Medal of Honor.
Sgt. Rafael Peralta
U.S. Marines / AP

Sgt. Rafael Peralta


"I don't understand why if the president has been talking about him," his mother, Rosa Peralta, told the newspaper, which was the first to report the bestowing of the Navy Cross.
Rosa Peralta said she was informed during a meeting with Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Richard Natonski that a committee could not agree on awarding the Medal of Honor to her son, who Marine Corps officials say was first wounded by friendly fire. She said the general mentioned the friendly fire aspect as part of her son's death during the discussion.
Marine Corps spokesman Mike Alvarez confirmed the meeting, saying only that it was a personal briefing between Natonski and Rosa Peralta to inform her that the secretary of the Navy would award the Navy Cross posthumously for extraordinary heroism.
The Navy Cross is the second highest honor for combat heroism a Marine can receive.
The secretary of the Navy's public affairs office in Washington, D.C., did not immediately return an after-hours telephone call Wednesday seeking comment.
Headquarters Marine Corps spokesman Maj. David Nevers told The Associated Press that the Navy Cross for Peralta "is not bestowed lightly."
Nevers said only 23 sailors and Marines out of the thousands who have served in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan have received the Navy Cross.
"The awarding of a medals of valor is a methodical process and carefully conducted to ensure the sacrifice and service of our Marines and sailors is appropriately honored," he said.
Peralta was shot several times in the face and body during a house-to-house search in Fallujah on Nov. 15, 2004, during some of the fiercest fighting of the war.
According to a report by a Marine combat photographer who witnessed the act, Peralta lay wounded on the floor of a house and grabbed a grenade that had been lobbed by an insurgent. He absorbed the blast with his body, dying instantly.
In 2005, Natonski, then-commanding general of the 1st Marine Division, ordered an investigation to determine the source of a bullet fragment recovered from Peralta's body.
"Following multiple and exhaustive reviews, the evidence supports the finding that Peralta was likely hit by 'friendly fire,'" the Marine Corps said Wednesday in a press release. "This finding had no bearing on the decision to award the Navy Cross medal."
Bush cited Peralta's heroism in a Memorial Day speech in 2005, saying the Marine "understood that America faces dangerous enemies, and he knew the sacrifices required to defeat them."
Peralta, who was assigned to Hawaii's 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, moved to San Diego from Tijuana as a teenager. He was 25........

[echoes]

May You Rest-In-Peace Sgt. Peralta.

Thoughts and prayers for Your family, and for Your service and sacrifice.

Holly

[PSM]

Peralta, who was assigned to Hawaii's 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, moved to San Diego from Tijuana as a teenager. He was 25.......

I heard that Sgt. Peralta joined the Marines one day after getting his Green Card. We need more like him.

Pat

[BlackDragon0311]

Me and my fellow Marines have talked about this a bit....I honestly am a bit dumb-founded as to why he's not getting the MOH.

My last unit, 3/7 had a certain Corporal in it, Jason Dunham, the first Marine to get the MOH since vietnam for doing almost the EXACT SAME THING. A insurgent threw a gernade and Dunham threw his kevlar ontop of it and then threw himself ontop of it ibefore it detonated. He survived for a few days but finally sucumbed to his injuries. I later read about a Navy Seal in Ramadi (again, my old stomping grounds with 3/7) who threw himself on a gernade and was awarded the MOH. I'm wondering why this Marine, this fallen warrior and true American hero, is not being given the MOH like these other two warriors?

The report is saying that he did sustain friendly fire wounds during the course of the battle, but that that did not have any impact on the decision of those in charge to not award him the MOH, so again, why?

I find it funny, cause in the course of our discussion a fellow Marine told me he had once heard a general comment that Marines E-1 to E-4 didnt rate the MOH regardless of action. How, if ever, am I supposed to put any faith in leadership that thinks because of my rank my valor and commitment to my Corps and country are not as strong as someone who has a few more stripes than me? Just irk's me is all, but regardless, he fought as a warrior, died like one, and his sacrafice will not be forgotten. Rest in peace Marine, Semper Fi.

~JohnnyBoy

[echoes]

Originally Posted by BlackDragon0311

Me and my fellow Marines have talked about this a bit....I honestly am a bit dumb-founded as to why he's not getting the MOH.

My last unit, 3/7 had a certain Corporal in it, Jason Dunham, the first Marine to get the MOH since vietnam for doing almost the EXACT SAME THING. A insurgent threw a gernade and Dunham threw his kevlar ontop of it and then threw himself ontop of it ibefore it detonated. He survived for a few days but finally sucumbed to his injuries. I later read about a Navy Seal in Ramadi (again, my old stomping grounds with 3/7) who threw himself on a gernade and was awarded the MOH. I'm wondering why this Marine, this fallen warrior and true American hero, is not being given the MOH like these other two warriors?

The report is saying that he did sustain friendly fire wounds during the course of the battle, but that that did not have any impact on the decision of those in charge to not award him the MOH, so again, why?

I find it funny, cause in the course of our discussion a fellow Marine told me he had once heard a general comment that Marines E-1 to E-4 didnt rate the MOH regardless of action. How, if ever, am I supposed to put any faith in leadership that thinks because of my rank my valor and commitment to my Corps and country are not as strong as someone who has a few more stripes than me? Just irk's me is all, but regardless, he fought as a warrior, died like one, and his sacrafice will not be forgotten. Rest in peace Marine, Semper Fi.

~JohnnyBoy

Sir, am just one tiny little American, but I wanted to say Thank You, for your service and your sacrifice.

Holly

[FMF DOC]

"Following multiple and exhaustive reviews, the evidence supports the finding that Peralta was likely hit by 'friendly fire,'" the Marine Corps said Wednesday in a press release. "This finding had no bearing on the decision to award the Navy Cross medal."


One I was in Fallujha during this incident and have read other reports and talked with Marines who were there that once they fellback from the house without their fallen comrade they poured an unbelievable amount of fire into the house thinking that he was already dead. I think that could explain why he may have had some friendly rounds in him. And if it was witnessed that he pulled the grenade into his body it's hard to argue that that was not the cause of death... Hero in my book no matter what.

RIP

[JJ_BPK]

RIP, Sgt. Peralta

[BlackDragon0311]

Thank you for your appreciation and thanks Holly, but its those that gave the ultimate sacrafice and those that are still in country that need the most thanks. Honor me and everyone on here by honoring them, and never forgetting, ever.

~JohnnyBoy

[kgoerz]

RIP, Sgt. Peralta

One of my bosses is very familiar with the MOH Awarding process. He said unfortunately it's very political. People who know nothing of being in Combat have input in the decision.

[JJ_BPK]

I hope this young man's courageous act does not turn into a circus.

This FOX report does not bode well for Stg Peralta, his family, and the Corps....

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,425143,00.html

Mother of Marine Who Fell on Enemy Grenade to Make Son's Case for Medal of Honor

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. — The mother of a Marine who witnesses say covered a grenade with his body to save comrades in Iraq plans to appeal to Congress to award her son the nation's highest military honor after learning it was denied by Defense Secretary Robert Gates because of questions about his final act.

Rosa Peralta said Thursday she made the decision after a Marine general told her that her son, Sgt. Rafael Peralta, would be awarded the Navy Cross rather than the Medal of Honor because the nomination was tainted by reports he was accidentally shot by a fellow Marine shortly before an insurgent lobbed the grenade.

God Bless..

[kgoerz]

Weather it's the Soldier or a Family member. It rubs me the wrong way when either of them demands a Medal higher then they were awarded. I also hope this brave Marines sacrifice isn't over shadowed by the oncoming Circus. I cant even imagine what it is like to lose a Son. But there are plenty of other Mothers who have lost Sons and Daughters who have wept in silence. This has the makings of another Cindy Sheehan. I am sure the MSM will be all over it.

Originally Posted by kgoerz

Weather it's the Soldier or a Family member. It rubs me the wrong way when either of them demands a Medal higher then they were awarded. I also hope this brave Marines sacrifice isn't over shadowed by the oncoming Circus. I cant even imagine what it is like to lose a Son. But there are plenty of other Mothers who have lost Sons and Daughters who have wept in silence. This has the makings of another Cindy Sheehan. I am sure the MSM will be all over it.

Not comparing the two cases, but Roy Benavidez had to fight a long battle (about 13 years) before he was awarded the MOH he deserved.

[BlackDragon0311]

I beg to differ, on atleast one aspect. Granted, it is still a high award and a great honor to be presented with the Navy Cross for the heroic action this Marine did. It is however, sending mixed signals and the wrong impression throughout the Corps. The only other Marine so far to recieve the MOH for OIF was Jason Dunham, who came from my unit and who I had talked with a time or two before he fell in action. The action he did, throwing himself on a gernade to save his fellow Marines, is one of true heroism and self-sacrafice, and something that all Marines look up to him for in regards to a example to look upon.

However, given that this is a almost similar action for which this Marine is being awarded for, the question again begs as to why the Navy Cross and not the MOH? The committee that decides on the awarding of the MOH is to have said that the "friendly fire" incident did not have any bearing on their decision, yet it is still being cited amongst us in the Corps and other groups as a main reason, because circumstantial doubt was made as to whether the Marine actually knew what he was doing by pulling the gernade to him, or it was a simple act of confusion mixed in with him "falling" on the said gernade.

If it is such a case, then i'd have preferred the committe to say so, and not go saying it had no bearing on the case when it was reviewed, because if it had no factor in the matter, then again, if yes for Dunham, why not this Marine. If it did have bearing, then that is more understandable and I would prefer to know the details that they can get as best are avaliable to them as to what brought about the decision to award the navy cross as opposed to the MOH.

Though I doubt the honest to God truth will be ever known, me, and fellow Marine grunts are still keeping a very close eye on this matter and watching it with great interest. In mine and other Marines minds, a action and what is happening now is not just a saying of a individual Marine, but a reflection on the Corps as a whole as well as a matter of pride and honor for the Marine Corps, hence why this has A GREAT DEAL to do with the Corps as a whole.

Regardless, I do know one thing. This warrior did what he was trained to do, went above and beyond what he was trained to do, and his honor and sacrifice will not be forgotten, one more Marine reporting to his post St.Peter, ready to watch over heaven's streets. Semper Fi Marine, God's Speed.

~JohnnyBoy

[greenberetTFS]

Originally Posted by BlackDragon0311

I beg to differ, on atleast one aspect. Granted, it is still a high award and a great honor to be presented with the Navy Cross for the heroic action this Marine did. It is however, sending mixed signals and the wrong impression throughout the Corps. The only other Marine so far to recieve the MOH for OIF was Jason Dunham, who came from my unit and who I had talked with a time or two before he fell in action. The action he did, throwing himself on a gernade to save his fellow Marines, is one of true heroism and self-sacrafice, and something that all Marines look up to him for in regards to a example to look upon.

However, given that this is a almost similar action for which this Marine is being awarded for, the question again begs as to why the Navy Cross and not the MOH? The committee that decides on the awarding of the MOH is to have said that the "friendly fire" incident did not have any bearing on their decision, yet it is still being cited amongst us in the Corps and other groups as a main reason, because circumstantial doubt was made as to whether the Marine actually knew what he was doing by pulling the gernade to him, or it was a simple act of confusion mixed in with him "falling" on the said gernade.

If it is such a case, then i'd have preferred the committe to say so, and not go saying it had no bearing on the case when it was reviewed, because if it had no factor in the matter, then again, if yes for Dunham, why not this Marine. If it did have bearing, then that is more understandable and I would prefer to know the details that they can get as best are avaliable to them as to what brought about the decision to award the navy cross as opposed to the MOH.

Though I doubt the honest to God truth will be ever known, me, and fellow Marine grunts are still keeping a very close eye on this matter and watching it with great interest. In mine and other Marines minds, a action and what is happening now is not just a saying of a individual Marine, but a reflection on the Corps as a whole as well as a matter of pride and honor for the Marine Corps, hence why this has A GREAT DEAL to do with the Corps as a whole.

Regardless, I do know one thing. This warrior did what he was trained to do, went above and beyond what he was trained to do, and his honor and sacrifice will not be forgotten, one more Marine reporting to his post St.Peter, ready to watch over heaven's streets. Semper Fi Marine, God's Speed.

~JohnnyBoy

BD 0311,

I guess I have just one question: Since when does the Marine Corps hand out the Navy Cross to Marines who are shot and just happen to fall down on live grenades?
It seems highly unlikely,if not impossible,that Sgt Peralta scooped the grenade under his body after he was dead. Yet no disputes that the grenade exploded under his body. How did it get there?

GB TFS

[greenberetTFS]

I've never been a Marine,so I may be out of line for saying this,however this most courageous act of valor should not be left up to the Gates appointed panel to finally decide. I believe that this decision should be made by "The Medal of Honor Society". These men are far more qualified to judge the actions of this heroic young Marine. His name is definitely synonymous with valor. From what I've read and heard this is a terrible moral hit for the Corp. SGT Peralta is still a hero and not receiving the Medal of Honor won't change what he did out there. Semper Fi ,Marine.......