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2004-12-17 Iraq-Jordan

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Posted by Edward Yee 2004-12-17 5:59:42 PM|| || Front Page|| [2 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 Self-sacrifice just doesn't reach the astoundingly high bar for MoH. MoH seems to be given for almost superhuman expressions of bravery and accomplishment. There are other commendations that reflect the great prestige of his actions, and they command high respect, and it would not slight him in the least to be awarded one of these. A worthy hour can be spent looking at the stories at the official MoH site:
http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/moh1.htm

Posted by Anonymoose 2004-12-17 11:00:34 AM|| 2004-12-17 11:00:34 AM|| Front Page Top

#2 No more heroes?
On the morning of Nov. 15, 2004, the men of 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines awoke before sunrise and continued what they had been doing for seven days previously -- cleansing the city of Fallujah of terrorists house by house.

At the fourth house they encountered that morning, the Marines kicked in the door and "cleared" the front rooms, but then noticed a locked door off to the side that required inspection. Peralta threw open the closed door, but behind it were three terrorists with AK-47s. Peralta was hit in the head and chest with multiple shots at close range.

Peralta's fellow Marines had to step over his body to continue the shootout with the terrorists. As the firefight raged on, a "yellow, foreign-made, oval-shaped grenade," as Lance Cpl. Travis Kaemmerer described it, rolled into the room where they were all standing and came to a stop near Peralta's body.

But Sgt. Rafael Peralta wasn't dead -- yet. This young immigrant of 25 years, who enlisted in the Marines when he received his green card, who volunteered for the front line duty in Fallujah, had one last act of heroism in him.

Peralta was the polar opposite of Paredes, the petty officer who turned his back on his shipmates and mocked his commander in chief. Peralta was proud to serve his adopted country. In his parent's home, on his bedroom walls hung only three items -- a copy of the United States Constitution, the Bill of Rights and his boot camp graduation certificate. Before he set out for Fallujah, he wrote to his 14-year-old brother, "Be proud of me, bro ... and be proud of being an American."

Not only can Rafael's family be proud of him, but his fellow Marines are alive because of him. As Peralta lay near death on the floor of a Fallujah terrorist hideout, he spotted the yellow grenade that had rolled next to his near-lifeless body. Once detonated, it would take out the rest of Peralta's squad. To save his fellow Marines, Peralta reached out, grabbed the grenade and tucked it under his abdomen, where it exploded.

"Most of the Marines in the house were in the immediate area of the grenade," Kaemmerer said. "We will never forget the second chance at life that Sgt. Peralta gave us."

Unfortunately, unlike Paredes, Peralta will get little media coverage. He is unlikely to have books written about him or movies made about his extraordinarily selfless sacrifice. But he is likely to receive the Medal of Honor. And that Medal of Honor is likely to be displayed next to the only items that hung on his bedroom wall -- the Constitution, Bill of Rights and his Boot Camp graduation certificate.

Yes, Virginia, there are still heroes in America, and Sgt. Rafael Peralta was one of them. It's just too bad the media can't recognize them.

Posted by ed 2004-12-17 12:27:24 PM|| 2004-12-17 12:27:24 PM|| Front Page Top

#3 Ed, thank you...that was wonderful. I agree that the Medal of Honor is fitting in this case. Yes, some of the accords of previous recipients may be more lengthy, but I think Sgt. Peralta's sacrifice earns a spot next to them.

Semper Fi

Posted by Justrand 2004-12-17 12:51:15 PM|| 2004-12-17 12:51:15 PM|| Front Page Top

#4 Once again the demonstrations of bravery, skill and determination are disregarded by the MSM. However, because of the power of the blogosphere, talk radio, FOX and a few other outlets, the American people that want to know can know about the wonrderful men. I am so fiercely proud of them I cannot express it effectively. If you see a soldier in your holiday travels, buy them a drink. Don't let them pay for dinner. Tell them thanks and that we are all praying for their safe return.

Posted by Remoteman 2004-12-17 2:05:39 PM|| 2004-12-17 2:05:39 PM|| Front Page Top

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