[pbaj12]

A dispute about whether Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta of San Diego, killed in Iraq 8 years ago, deserves the Medal of Honor may be resolved within weeks.


A memorial for Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta was set up by his family in their San Diego home in 2004. A dispute about whether Peralta, 25, a Mexican immigrant, deserves the Medal of Honor remains one of the last pieces of unfinished business from the U.S. involvement in Iraq. (Glenn Koenig, Los Angeles Times / December 1, 2004)


Eight years ago this month, Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta of San Diego was killed in Iraq during the battle for Fallouja, the bloodiest house-to-house fighting involving Marines since Vietnam.

A dispute about whether Peralta, 25, a Mexican immigrant, deserves the Medal of Honor remains one of the last pieces of unfinished business from the U.S. involvement in Iraq.

The Marine Corps nominated Peralta for the Medal of Honor. But then-Defense Secretary Robert Gates in 2008 downgraded the award to the Navy Cross — upsetting the Marines and Peralta's family.

Now, Gates' successor, Leon Panetta, appears on the verge of announcing the result of his review of Gates' decision, based on a video of the aftermath of the house-clearing mission in which Peralta was killed.

Whether Panetta will uphold or reverse Gates' decision is unknown. Medal of Honor decisions are some of the most closely held secrets in the military.

The Marines who were with Peralta that day are unanimous in their view that, although he lay mortally wounded, he reached out and smothered an enemy grenade, saving the lives of several Marines.

But a pathologist report suggested Peralta was already clinically dead from friendly fire and could not have consciously smothered the grenade. For that reason, Gates declined to approve the Medal of Honor nomination.

But Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine), who served in Iraq and Afghanistan as a Marine officer, believes the newly uncovered film shows Peralta's body did not have the bruising that would be consistent with the pathologist's view of how he died.

Hunter has persisted in pushing Panetta to review his predecessor's decision. Hunter believes Panetta's decision will be announced within weeks.

"The only reasonable course of action, in light of his sacrifice and new evidence, is to award [Peralta] the military's highest award for combat valor," Hunter said Friday.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la...,5049526.story

[K9Grip]

I'm more likely to believe those who where there. As much information as autopsies can provide, they can't provide exactly what happened.

[pbaj12]

Originally Posted by K9Grip ↗

I'm more likely to believe those who where there. As much information as autopsies can provide, they can't provide exactly what happened.

I agree. It seems there's only one person that doesn't think this guy should get a MoH.

[kellyhound]

they should degrade that pathologist.

[rapeWhistle]

Came to this country, then died fighting for it...

GIVE HIM THE FUCKING MEDAL

[Sharon]

But a pathologist report suggested Peralta was already clinically dead from friendly fire and could not have consciously smothered the grenade. For that reason, Gates declined to approve the Medal of Honor nomination.

The word 'suggested' isn't exactly concrete proof they can use as a 'reason' to decline the medal. That's terrible

[pbaj12]

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/me...,1558922.story


The secretary of Defense has decided not to overrule his predecessor and posthumously award the Medal of Honor to Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta of San Diego, Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine) announced Wednesday.

The decision by Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta means the Navy Cross awarded to Peralta for heroism during the 2004 battle in Fallouja, Iraq, will not be upgraded to the nation's highest award for combat courage.

Hunter had petitioned Panetta to overturn the decision made by then-Defense Secretary Robert Gates in 2008. Gates ruled that conflicting evidence made it inappropriate to award the Medal of Honor.

Peralta, 25, an immigrant from Mexico, was killed during house-to-house fighting in November 2004.

Marines who were with Peralta during the battle swore that, although mortally wounded, he reached out to smother a grenade with his body, saving the lives of several Marines. But a pathologist's report concluded that Peralta was already brain dead from friendly fire and thus any actions were not taken intentionally.

Hunter, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan as a Marine officer, petitioned Panetta to upgrade the Navy Cross based on a recently released documentary film that seems to undermine the pathologist's conclusion about how Peralta died and Gates' conclusion that the grenade detonated one to three feet from Peralta's left leg.

The film showed no injury consistent with a grenade explosion occurring next to Peralta's body, Hunter said.

Hunter said he was informed of Panetta's decision by Jeh Johnson, general counsel of the Department of Defense. Hunter called Panetta's decision "disappointing."

The Marine Corps and Navy Secretary Ray Mabus have consistently requested that Peralta be awarded the Medal of Honor. The Medal of Honor, Hunter said, is "the only award that Sgt. Peralta deserves."

The Peralta family was notified Wednesday morning, Hunter said.

[K9Grip]

Total bullshit!! I read about this yesterday and I had to put my phone down for a moment and chill about half-way through.

[AmericanIllusions]

Only skimmed through this bit. This story has been going on for quite some time now. The grenade was a friendly or so they said years ago. They take that medal very serious so I can't get upset when they're picky of who they give it to. Guy should of stayed in the country he was at.