Godspeed Sergeant Peralta - Marine Deserves Medal of Honor

Posted By Blackfive

John R. sends this story from the Seattle Times (written by an Army Times staffer).  I'll post the whole article in case it disappears into the archives. 

This is the story of a Marine, Sergeant Rafael Peralta, who sacrificed himself so his Marines would live...

Marine sacrifices his life for others in grenade blast

By Gordon Trowbridge
The Army Times

FALLUJAH, Iraq — Sgt. Rafael Peralta built a reputation as a man who always put his Marines' interests ahead of his own.

He showed that again, when he made the ultimate sacrifice of his life Tuesday, by shielding his fellow Marines from a grenade blast. "It's stuff you hear about in boot camp, about World War II and Tarawa Marines who won the Medal of Honor," said Lance Cpl. Rob Rogers, 22, of Tallahassee, Fla., one of Peralta's platoon mates in 1st Platoon, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment.

Peralta, 25, as platoon scout, wasn't even assigned to the assault team that entered the insurgent safe house in northern Fallujah, Marines said. Despite an assignment that would have allowed him to avoid such dangerous duty, he regularly asked squad leaders if he could join their assault teams, they said.

One of the first Marines to enter the house, Peralta was wounded in the face by rifle fire from a room near the entry door, said Lance Cpl. Adam Morrison, 20, of Tacoma, who was in the house when Peralta was first wounded.

Moments later, an insurgent rolled a fragmentation grenade into the area where a wounded Peralta and the other Marines were seeking cover.

As Morrison and another Marine scrambled to escape the blast, pounding against a locked door, Peralta grabbed the grenade and cradled it into his body, Morrison said. While one Marine was badly wounded by shrapnel from the blast, the Marines said they believe more lives would have been lost if not for Peralta's selfless act.

"He saved half my fire team," said Cpl. Brannon Dyer, 27, of Blairsville, Ga. The Marines said such a sacrifice would be perfectly in character for Peralta, a Mexico native who lived in San Diego and gained U.S. citizenship after joining the Marines.

"He'd stand up for his Marines to an insane point," Rogers said.

Rogers and others remembered Peralta as a squared-away Marine, so meticulous about uniform standards that he sent his camouflage uniform to be pressed while training in Kuwait before entering Iraq.

But mostly they remembered acts of selflessness: offering career advice, giving a buddy a ride home from the bar, teaching salsa dance steps in the barracks.

While Alpha Company was still gathering information, and a formal finding on Peralta's death is likely months away, not a single Marine in Alpha Company doubted the account of Peralta's act of sacrifice.

"I believe it," said Alpha's commander, Capt. Lee Johnson. "He was that kind of Marine."

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Comments

[Bullshark]

Does anyone know the status of the awardfor SFC Paul Smith, nominated for the MOH during the initial invasion?

[Kathleen A]

Another selfless act, another hero America has lost. Amazing. Thanks B5. You're helping spread the word about these heroes to the rest of us.

[jtb-in-texas]

All of us should be extremely grateful there are people like this Marine who live the words of Our Lord, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13)

[texasbug]

Wow, what amazing courage and honor. His family should be so proud of him, as I am as a fellow American. Sgt. Peralsa, thank you for your sacrifice. I will be praying for your family.

[SgtMgr]

God bless our soldiers! The love they have for their country and their brothers in arms is awe-inspiring and clearly demonstrates their nobility of spirit. Maybe I haven't been paying attention, but it's been a very long time since I've seen the amount of courage and honor being displayed by our troops in Iraq. Truly uplifting!
Please say a prayer for Sergeant Peralta's family.

[pdagger]

Sgt. Peralta should definitely be awarded the Medal of Honor. That type of heroic self-sacrifice exemplifies what the award is all about. For those who don't already know, you can read the MoH citations from all of our wars at http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/moh1.htm

[Caleb]

Can someone tell me how these young heroes differ in any significant respect from the "Greatest Generation." Plus these men are all volunteers. Will they also be called the "Greatest Generation"? They will by me. But then what do I know, I am only six and a half decades along in my earthly journey. God bless all our military men and women, but especially our front line troops and our Snake Eaters. Freedom has NEVER been free.

[Ben Bauman]

Semper Fi...

[cptham]

Pre-Sent Arms

[AFSister]

Anyone who doubts the dedication, honor and bravery of US Soldiers, Marines, Sailors and Airmen need look no further than this story. This is a man who gained US citizenship AFTER joining the Marines, not someone who was granted citizenship merely by being born here. What a HERO!

[Gene]

"Greatest Generation"

I think any generation that will go out and fight for its country is the "Greatest Generation". We have been blessed to have such people since the beginning of this country. To say this act is unusual is not true. You can find similar stories in WWI, WW2, Korea, Vietnam, etc. Every generation can be called the “Greatest Generation". Some people many not think it, but those who went to Vietnam fall into that category as well. It’s sad that when the Vietnam vets came home they were despised and spit upon. They were seen as failures. Nothing can be further from the truth. Our boys in Vietnam fought with valor and courage, just as those who came before them and did after. I am just glad that right now this country will actually recognize their sacrifices.

[King Steve]

That is what he deserves.

[Russell J. Coller Jr.]

Of course, the Sergeant's insignia is chilling enough for all of our future opponents to see. Much love to the survivors-------just a former Lt., now a long-time civilian, sleeping in a warm bed, protected by laws, courts, police and by God, all of our Brothers out there-----Gracias,
---------------Russ.

[bdawg65]

This combat soldier's prayer,
Who has served his time in Hell,
Is may we learn the lessons of war well,
That we not doom future generations,
The same old tales of horror to tell,
To endure what in youth they see mistakenly as glory.
Oh God, do not let our children
Repeat the same old story.

Make it so that America's babies live to grow old
In this land of the free and the bold.
Help us throw off the shackles of hate that bind
And grow old in a life of a peaceful kind.

Teach us that there is no glory in war,
Nor honor there that brave men should not abhor.
Teach us instead, one for another our brothers to love.
Shower us with thine Celestial message from above,
That we plant seeds of peace evermore
And make war-no-more!

But if I should die on some far, far away battlefield
Know I answered the call
For a grand principle of freedom to yield.
My fervent prayer is that death
May not have been in vain
Fighting for peace and right for the world to attain.

My brothers, American roses standing by my side
On alien soil dying
In the summer of my youthful pride
All the leaves around me falling,

Now I’m lying here still, in sunshine and in shadow,
Longing to hear, “brother next door, I love you so."
For moldering in the soft ground below,
I feel you living and loving in the world above me
Standing tall because I fought that you might be...
Oh look ye down now,
And tell me you still think of me
Honor my red blood, spilt that others might stand free.

Tell me that I did not give my all for you in vain
That brothers and sisters do not look upon my sacrifice
With hateful,
Or even worse,
Uncaring disdain.

Do not forget me when my valley’s hushed
And white with snow,
Grass growing green in the summer of my meadow
Help me see the peace I lived and died for grow.

Make my lonely grave richer,
Sweeter be...
Make this truly,
"The land of the free
And the home of the brave,"
I gave my life to save
That I might too, lie eternally,
Forever free...

[Robert]

Since I have no confidence in Senators Feinstein and Boxer, write to your senators and inform them of the heroic actions of this brave man. He deserves the Medal of Honor.

[Isaiah]

Sgt. Peralta has three younger siblings. They are poor Mexican immigrants.

Are any of you gonna set up a college fund for them, maybe contribute to it?

[heather contreras]

i agree i knew the man personally in a way you could not imagine and my life will never be the same without junior and his words of love and kindness he said he knew he was ready to die and he would be ok now that he made peace with our lord so godspeed to my perfect man whom i shall miss greatly rafael i will always miss remember and love you godspeed and your medal of honor will come my love i have faith in it

[SPF]

What's there to even think about. Of course, Cpl. Peralta deserves the MOH. Read this MOH citation from WWII. The similarity is just amazing.

"LUCAS, JACKLYN HAROLD

Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, 1st Battalion, 26th Marines, 5th Marine Division. Place and date: Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 20 February 1945. Entered service at: Norfolk, Va. Born: 14 February 1928, Plymouth, N.C. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 1st Battalion, 26th Marines, 5th Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 20 February 1945. While creeping through a treacherous, twisting ravine which ran in close proximity to a fluid and uncertain frontline on D-plus-1 day, Pfc. Lucas and 3 other men were suddenly ambushed by a hostile patrol which savagely attacked with rifle fire and grenades. Quick to act when the lives of the small group were endangered by 2 grenades which landed directly in front of them, Pfc. Lucas unhesitatingly hurled himself over his comrades upon 1 grenade and pulled the other under him, absorbing the whole blasting forces of the explosions in his own body in order to shield his companions from the concussion and murderous flying fragments. By his inspiring action and valiant spirit of self-sacrifice, he not only protected his comrades from certain injury or possible death but also enabled them to rout the Japanese patrol and continue the advance. His exceptionally courageous initiative and loyalty reflect the highest credit upon Pfc. Lucas and the U.S. Naval Service."

[Stephen Sheldon]

Rafael Peralta

You woke yourself for that day of battle,
Not knowing what would become of your day,
Herded your brothers as if they were cattle,
Your heart skipped beats as you began to pray.

Wondering what your future could bring,
You fought for the country that held you so free,
Your family in heart as your soul shall sing,
Everything in mind but not to flee,

Protecting the lives you held close in time,
You would do the best that a Marine can,
As a leader you planned to walk that key line,
Hoping to be a good example of man,

The third Marine regiment embraced you,
With tough love and intense training,
You are chosen among the prized few,
Sick for home your heart was raining,

To combat you took your peers to keep,
Life and living we marched with fear,
We were taught we live what we reap,
Seeing in thine enemies eyes a tear,

You took your brothers place with death,
As only some of them could have,
Approaching the door with consent and stress,
Plunging inside as a leader would have,

Those three lead death angels flew into you,
Without remorse you lay in dirt content,
You saved the lives of Marines so few,
And opened the door for others in event,

As you laid in near unconscious agony,
That pill of infinite ending roles in,
Pulling unto your soul you kept U.S. free,
The pain now is held with your kin,

Rafael, heaven restores you in life,
As your brethren carry you out,
As your medals were sent with strife,
Hoo-rah the band of brothers shout,

Continuing the journey your platoon,
Following our leader as his soul leads,
Around every corner we hear a boom,
Knowing you would’ve never thought to leave,

Pushing for our goal we kept you in mind,
We took time to reflect on what’s gone by,
Remembering the loss the day you died,
Knowing nothings sublime, we know you fly,

We must overcome, matter what the cost,
You gave us your rest and it was enough,
You overcame, and life was your loss,
Sacrificing as if you would try to slough,

Home you came covered and dressed,
Your story lives forever in our homes,
Passed to generations held and blessed,
You will always be the center of foams,

Keeping your promise to your leaders,
You fought with outstanding grace,
For the people, constant readers,
An everlasting image of your face,

Standing among the brave, Rafael Peralta,
Protecting who are free, Rafael Peralta
Sacrificing life for many, Rafael Peralta,
Who’s history is eternal, Rafael Peralta.

Stephen Sheldon

I wrote this for his family and fellow Marines...

[ROBERT REYNOLDS]

I HAD THE GREAT PLEASURE TO SERVE WITH SGT PERALTA HE SAVED MY LIFE THAT DAY I OWE HIM LOT HE IS A TRUE HERO AND HIS LEGASY WILL LIVE ON FOR EVER IN MY FAMILY WHEN MY 2 KIDS GET OLD ENOUGH THEY WILL HERE THE STORY OF SGT PERALTA AND HOW HE SAVED MY LIFE AND THE OTHERS OF OUR SQUAD SEPER FI SGT P. YOU WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN
CPL REYNOLDS ROBERT H

[Tyler Brickey]

This Marine displayed what most people wouldn't and couldn't even comprehend. From one Marine to another, he will missed among the ranks but will not be forgotten. He is now guarding the gates of heaven and St. Peter is at ease. I will pray for your family and will always remember your name.

Semper Fi,

Tyler Brickey
1989-1998