Yesterday, the Secretary of the Navy, Donald C. Winter, announced that Sgt. Rafael Peralta will be posthumously awarded the Navy Cross, second only to the Medal of Honor for combat bravery by Marines, for his valor during combat operations in Iraq in November 2004.

CITATION:

For extraordinary heroism while serving as Platoon Guide with 1st Platoon, Company A, 1st Battalion, 3d Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7, 1st Marine Division, in action against Anti-Coalition Forces in support of Operation AL FAJR, in Fallujah, Iraq on 15 November 2004. Clearing scores of houses in the previous three days, Sergeant Peralta' asked to JOl.n an under strength squad and volunteered to stand post the night of 14 November, allowing fellow Marines more time to rest. The following morning, during search and attack operations, while clearing the seventh house of the day, the point man opened a door to a back room and immediately came under intense, close-range automatic weapons fire from mUltiple insurgents. The squad returned fire, wounding one insurgent. While attempting to maneuver out of the line of fire, Sergeant Peralta was shot and fell mortally wounded. After the initial exchange of gunfire, the insurgents broke contact, throwing a fragmentation grenade as they fled the building. The grenade came to rest near Sergeant Peralta's head. Without hesitation and with complete disregard for his own personal safety, Sergeant Peralta reached out and pulled the grenade to his body, absorbing the brunt of the blast and shielding fellow Marines only feet away. Sergeant Peralta succumbed to his wounds. By his undaunted courage, intrepid fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty, Sergeant Peralta reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

Unfortunately, there is some controversy as to whether Sgt. Peralta should have received the Medal of Honor instead of the Navy Cross. I don't pretend to know the arguments on either side very well or the standard on which each award is given. I only have two comments: (1) if Sgt. Peralta's actions don't warrant the Medal of Honor, what does? and (2) Sgt. Peralta could not hold any higher position of honor with my family.

Previously:
Sgt. Rafael Peralta: Act of Honor
Sgt. Rafael Peralta Documentary on the History Channel
Sgt. Rafael Peralta - New Photos
HERO: Sgt. Rafael Peralta