Marine To Be Awarded Navy Cross Posthumously

Peralta Killed In Fallujah

A Marine would be posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his valor while he was in Iraq nearly four years ago, Navy officials announced Wednesday, September 17.
 
According to a news release, Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta was a member of a unit assigned to the 1st Marine Division during in an assault on the insurgent-held city of Fallujah. After clearing houses the previous three days, he agreed to join an under-manned squad and volunteered to stand post during the night of Nov. 14, 2004, which allowed his fellow Marines some time to rest.

The following morning, after clearing a house, Peralta was caught in crossfire between insurgents and Marines, leaving him mortally wounded.

The insurgents threw a fragmentation grenade as they left the building, and Peralta reached out and pulled the grenade to his body. Peralta absorbed the brunt of the blast, shielding his fellow Marines only feet away. Peralta then succumbed to his wounds, according to the news release.

Peralta was born on April 7, 1979, in Mexico. He emigrated to the United States and joined the Marine Corps on April 17, 2000. He later became an American citizen.

Details on the award presentation were to be announced at a later date, according to the news release.

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