Rep. Darrell Issa has introduced legislation to posthumously award the Congressional Medal of Honor to Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta for extraordinary heroism in Fallujah during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Peralta, a Mexican immigrant who grew up in San Diego and graduated from Morse High School, was wounded during an assault on Nov. 15, 2004, then pulled an enemy grenade beneath his body to save nearby Marines from the blast.
Peralta was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross, and in 2017 the guided-missile destroyer USS Rafale Peralta was commissioned at North Island. But Peralta has not received the nation’s highest award for heroism in battle.
“Sgt. Rafael Peralta embodied the highest ideals of indomitable courage and steadfast devotion to his fellow Marines and to our great country,” said Issa. “Valor never expires, and Congress has a solemn obligation to ensure that acts of valor of this magnitude receive the recognition they deserve — regardless of administrative delay or statutory limitations.”
Rep. Juan Vargas echoed those sentiments, citing Peralta’s “heroism, selflessness, and sacrifice” in the battle.
“During a house-clearing operation, Sgt. Rafael Peralta was mortally wounded by enemy gunfire. Despite this, in his final moments, he saw a grenade nearby and, without hesitation, held onto it to absorb the shock,” Vargas said.
Issa’s legislation follows favorable determinations from the Pentagon affirming that Peralta’s actions merit consideration for the Medal of Honor, while noting that Congress must waive the statutory time limitation before the President may act.
“Marines who survived that room in Fallujah have spent decades bearing witness to Sgt. Peralta’s valor,” Issa said. “This bill ensures their testimony is heard and that America honors a Marine who gave his last full measure for his brothers and for the nation he loved.”
The bill specifically authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor notwithstanding existing statutory limitations.
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