A Study in Valor

US Marine Corps Sergeant Rafael Peralta was born on April 7, 1979 in Mexico City. He was the oldest of four siblings born to Rafael and Rosa Peralta, and immigrated to the United States with his family. He joined the USMC as soon as he had a green card, and became an American citizen while serving.

SGT Peralta served the United States with patriotism, enthusiasm and valor. In his parents' home, his bedroom walls were adorned with three items--a copy of the United States Constitution, the Bill of Rights and his graduation certificate from boot camp. Before being deployed to Fallujah, he wrote to his 14-year old brother, "Be proud of me, bro...and be proud of being an American."

On November 15 of 2004, Peralta, while deployed as a scout team leader, was ordered with his team to clear houses in Operation Phantom Fury. Peralta was not assigned to enter the buildings, but chose to do so anyway.

He led his team through a series of house clearings before charging into the fourth house. He found two empty rooms on the ground floor, and upon opening a third door was hit multiple times with AK-47 fire. He dropped to the floor and rolled aside to allow his Marines behind him to return fire.

The insurgents threw a grenade at the Marines. The two Marines with Sgt. Peralta attempted to leave, but could not. Peralta was still conscious on the floor and his teammates report that despite his extensive injuries, he reached for the grenade and pulled it under his body--absorbing the majority of the lethal blast, which killed him instantly but saved the lives of his fellow Marines.

Sergeant Peralta was nominated for the Medal of Honor, but the testimony of doctors stated that he could not have possibly have been conscious enough to have done the heroic action in question, though his teammates swear by it. He received the Navy Cross instead--the Navy's second-highest honor.

Sergeant Rafael Peralta served his country with honor and valor unto death, and is an example for us all.

Semper Fi.