Video of Sgt. Rafael Peralta pulling grenade under his body being reviewed for Medal of Honor

Calif. lawmakers say fallen Marine deserved military’s highest honor for valor

By Associated Press, Published: March 1

(U.S. Marines, File/Associated Press) - FILE - This undated photo released by the U.S. Marines, shows Sgt. Rafael Peralta, 25. Federal lawmakers announced Thursday March 1, 2012, they have obtained evidence previously unavailable to military investigators that proves the Navy should not have disqualified Peralta, a San Diego Marine from being posthumously awarded America’s highest military honor.

SAN DIEGO — Federal lawmakers announced Thursday they have obtained information previously unavailable to military investigators that proves the Navy should not have disqualified a San Diego Marine from being posthumously awarded America’s highest military honor.

U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter said his office sent a formal request from the area’s congressional delegation to Navy Secretary Ray Mabus urging him to reconsider Sgt. Rafael Peralta for the Medal of Honor in a last-ditch effort before the deadline ends. Four other San Diego-area representatives and California Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer also signed the letter.

After a scientific panel examined the forensic evidence at the time, former Defense Secretary Robert Gates decided to award Peralta the Navy Cross instead of the Medal of Honor based on the conclusion that the Marine who suffered a head wound was not conscious when his body smothered a grenade in Iraq in 2004, saving other Marines.

Hunter spokesman Joe Kasper said the congressman has obtained a video of the battle action and a newly released report by a forensic pathologist that proves Peralta was conscious and intentionally pulled the grenade under his body.
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