Rafael Peralta
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| Rafael Peralta | |
|---|---|
| April 7, 1979 – November 15, 2004 (aged 25) | |
 Sgt. Rafael Peralta |
|
| Place of birth | Mexico City, Mexico |
| Place of death | Killed in action in Fallujah, Iraq |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 2000-2004 |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Unit | 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines |
| Battles/wars | Operation Iraqi Freedom *Operation Phantom Fury |
| Awards | Purple Heart |
Sergeant Rafael Peralta (April 7, 1979–November 15, 2004) assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, was a United States Marine killed in combat during Operation Phantom Fury in the city of Fallujah, Iraq. As of January 22, 2008, a Medal of Honor award for Sgt. Peralta is awaiting presidential approval.[1]
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[edit] Personal history
Peralta was born on April 7, 1979 in Mexico City. Son of Rafael and Rosa Peralta, the oldest of four siblings Icelda, Karen and Ricardo. He immigrated to the United States and joined the United States Marine Corps as soon as he had a green card. He later became an American citizen while serving in the Marine Corps.
According to accounts, Peralta served the United States with enthusiasm and patriotism: "In his parent's home, on his bedroom walls hung only three items - a copy of the United States Constitution, the Bill of Rights and his boot camp graduation certificate. Before he set out for Fallujah, he wrote to his 14-year old brother, 'be proud of me, bro...and be proud of being an American.'"[2]
On April 24, 2006, William Lansdowne, chief of police for the San Diego Police Department posthumously awarded Sgt. Peralta the honorary title of San Diego police officer for his heroic actions in Iraq. The badge was presented to Rafael's mother, Rosa Peralta. Sgt. Peralta always wanted to be a San Diego police officer.
[edit] Killed in action
On November 15, 2004, 25 year old Sgt. Peralta, deployed to Iraq as a scout team leader assigned to Company A, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, along with his team was ordered to clear houses in the Operation Phantom Fury. Peralta was not assigned to enter the buildings, but chose to do so anyway.
Sergeant Peralta led his team through a series of house clearings before charging into the fourth house. He found two rooms empty on the ground floor. Peralta opened a third door and was hit multiple times with AK-47 fire, leaving him severely wounded. He dropped to the floor and moved aside in order to allow the Marines behind him to return fire.
The insurgents responded by throwing a grenade at the Marines. The two Marines with Sgt. Peralta tried to get out of the room but could not. Sgt. Peralta was still conscious on the floor and despite his wounds was able to reach for the grenade and pull it under his body absorbing the majority of the lethal blast and shrapnel which killed him instantly, but saved the lives of his fellow Marines.[3]
In December 2004, U.S. Congressman Bob Filner of California introduced legislation to award Sgt. Peralta the Medal of Honor.
On September 21, 2007, the 31st MEU Command Post, building 2533 Camp Hansen, Okinawa, was christened Peralta Hall in his honor.
[edit] Awards and decorations
[edit] Videos
- Act of Honor in English and Spanish, by The History Channel
[edit] Notes
- ^ Cole, William (2008-01-22). Marine may finally get Medal of Honor. Honolulu Advertiser (newspaper). Retrieved on 2008-01-27.
- ^ North, Oliver (2004-12-16). Hero in Fallujah: Marine Laid Himself on Top of Grenade to Save Rest of Squad. HumanEvents.com. Retrieved on 2006-05-30.
- ^ Ephron, Dan, "Where's the Respect?", Newsweek, February 11, 2008.
[edit] See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients
- Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith, USA — first Medal of Honor recipient from Operation Iraqi Freedom.
- Corporal Jason Dunham, USMC — second Medal of Honor recipient from Operation Iraqi Freedom.
- Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy, USN — first Medal of Honor recipient from the Operation Enduring Freedom.
- Petty Officer Second Class Michael A. Monsoor, USN — third Medal of Honor recipient from Operation Iraqi Freedom.
- Specialist Ross McGinnis, USA — fourth Medal of Honor recipient from Operation Iraqi Freedom.
[edit] References
- Fernandez, Virgil (2006). Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta. Hispanic Military Heroes. Retrieved on 2006-07-12.
- Trowbridge, Gordon. "Marine sacrifices his life for others in grenade blast", The Seattle Times, November 20, 2004. Retrieved on 2006-07-12.
