Sgt. Raphael Peralta, Revisited
We’ve discussed Sgt. Rafael Peralta multiple times previously at TAH. He was KIA in Fallujah, Iraq, in 2004.
Peralta was initially recommended for the Medal of Honor by his chain-of-command. That recommendation was ultimately downgraded to the Navy Cross.
Stars and Stripes recently published an excellent overview of the controversy concerning Peralta’s Medal of Honor recommendation and how it was eventually downgraded to the Navy Cross. If you’re not familiar with the story – or would just like to see a summary of the issue – the article appears worth the time.
Rest in peace, Sgt. Peralta. Regardless of the medal awarded posthumously, it’s clear you were a hero.
Category: Marine Corps, Real Soldiers
Sgt. Rafael Peralta has and will always hold a heroes place in my heart and mind. I do not understand the DoD’s reluctance to award him the MOH. I do not understand the WA DC, Monday morning quarterbacking of something they do not understand. Whatever he is awarded as Jonn said, Rest In Peace young warrior. God bless your family and may our nation to what is right by your service, sacrifice and memory.
The most disturbing part of that article comes from Robert Gates who was Secretary of Defense;
In his recently published memoir, Gates revealed that he initially approved the Medal of Honor recommendation in 2008, despite some dissenting views from the medical community.
“In light of the unanimous support of the entire uniformed leadership involved, I approved the recommendation,” he wrote. “I was satisfied that Sergeant Peralta met all the criteria and deserved the Medal of Honor.”
However, Gates said he was pressured to revisit his decision.
“After I signed the recommendation to the president, I was informed that a complaint had been made to the department’s inspector general that Peralta could not have consciously taken the action credited … and therefore did not meet the criteria for the award. The inspector general intended to carry out an investigation unless I took some action to deal with the complaint. … I decided that the only way to clear the air quietly was to ask a special panel to look into the allegation,” Gates wrote.
In other words, the scientists couldn’t stand being wrong about it. The facts that supported his Navy Cross aren’t disputed, but somehow the same facts dispute the award of the Medal of Honor. I don’t understand that.
Jonn…This young warrior gave his life for his fellow troops. if it was his last dying thought to cover that grenade he deserves the MOH. This is more political than I care to think about. Gates should have stood his ground all the way to a visit to the Oval Office in defense of his initial decision.
“I decided that the only way to clear the air quietly was to ask a special panel to look into the allegation,” Gates wrote.
Clear the air quietly…equals politics.
Exactly right Jonn,
It was either a true story or not. It’s not possible for that story to be accurate at the Navy Cross level and to be a complete falsehood at the next level.
Bunch of fucking wienies who weren’t there deciding post facto what happened. None of them bother to read literature about warriors I suspect. How many tales of fatally wounded men able to perform a last act to save comrades have been told throughout the ages.
I trust the guys there, not some asshole hit in the back or some ME post facto offering his opinion because HE WASN’T THERE TO SEE THE TRUTH.
If Gates, et al. believe it to be truthful for the Navy Cross they MUST believe it at the MOH level or the Navy Cross isn’t warranted either….
Assholes.
“If Gates, et al. believe it to be truthful for the Navy Cross they MUST believe it at the MOH level or the Navy Cross isn’t warranted either…”
Nailed it.
“…Peralta could not have consciously taken the action credited…”
It was said that the gunshot wound to his head would have incapacitated Peralta immediately if it didn’t kill him outright. I watched a program yesterday (Drugs Inc, season 2, Hashish episode) that included an interview with a former British officer who was shot in the back of his head. The round took out either 40% or 60% of his brain and he was still conscious and capable of rational though.
Why some medical officer’s opinion is more important than the words of the Marines who were there is beyond my ken.
I would refer you to “Massive Headwound Hadji” a legend in 1/87 INF. The name says it all. Homeboy got dome-rocked by a 7.62 and was missing over 50% of his head. I don’t know how long he made it. But heard that he was drinking water and trying to eat an MRE cracker
I’ve always thought if there is any question… any… protect the integrity of the MOH and do not award it. However, I would defer to other MOH receipients since I don’t have one myself.
They just awarded a medal of honor to a Marine doing the same thing, except there weren’t 3 witnesses to confirm the story.
Shit is fubar.
Entire mess is a furball I dont think they really want aired out anymore than it has been.
Medical officers opinion’s aside I think I read that there was a lot of collaborating stories that were being manipulated.
If I recall correctly there was a chance that Peralta was KIA by friendly fire and those present felt they needed to try to “correct” that horrible mistake.
Our politicians and most senior officers seam to function just fin with their 100% lobotomies. And continue to receive shiny medals, large bonuses and unlimited azz kissing.