Did reporter use "race card" on Marine Rafael Peralta's story?

Fallen Marine Rafael Peralta’s family accuses reporter of playing ‘race card’
Supporters still press for Medal of Honor
Washington Times
Stephen Dinan
February 27, 2014

Ten years after a 2004 firefight in Iraq, Sgt. Rafael Peralta’s death continues to ignite controversy, with Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel last week refusing to reopen his nomination for the Medal of Honor and the Marine’s family accusing a newspaper of race-baiting in its reporting on the standoff.

Peralta’s mother, Rosa, said in a letter this week that a reporter for The Washington Post seemed intent on trying to get her to say her son was denied the Medal of Honor because he was Hispanic.

Some Marines who were on duty with Peralta on Nov. 15, 2004, the day he and his squad were clearing houses in Fallujah, were stunned that their comrades were now saying the story that Peralta scooped a grenade to himself, saving a number of Marines’ lives, was a concocted lie.

“If you’re trying to smear the legacy of a Marine who’s a hero, who saved my life, then you’re barking up the wrong … tree,” said Nicholas Jones, one of the Marines in the room when insurgents tossed the grenade toward the troops.

Peralta received the Navy Cross for his actions, but his supporters — including Rep. Duncan Hunter, a California Republican who also served as a Marine officer in Fallujah during the Iraq War — say he deserves the Medal of Honor.
read more here

If you believe the DOD then ask yourself one question on this. Why would they have given him the Navy Cross for "falling" on a grenade or having it land near him?
Iraq veteran battles for fallen Marine to be honored

Comrades say Marine heroism tale of Iraq veteran was untrue

Sgt. Rafael Peralta will not receive Medal of Honor for saving lives

Did Sgt. Rafael Peralta's actions deserve MOH or not?

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