Give Marine Sgt Rafael Peralta the Medal of Honor
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President, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, Senate, Congress
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According to the secretary of the Navy, Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta, an immigrant from Mexico City who enlisted in the Marine Corps the day before receiving his green card, was serving with the 1st Battalion of the 3rd Marine Regiment during the U.S. military assault to retake Fallujah in November 2004. After clearing scores of houses over three days, Peralta, 25, volunteered to join a squad that lacked all its men and stay on duty the night of Nov. 14, allowing his comrades to rest, according to an official military account.
The next day, while clearing another house, Peralta was caught in crossfire between insurgents and Marines, the account said. He was shot in the head and mortally wounded, probably by "friendly fire," the account stated. As the insurgents fled the building, they threw a fragmentation grenade, which landed near Peralta's head.
Then, "looking in my eyes and without hesitation and with complete disregard for his own safety, Peralta reached out and pulled the grenade to his body, absorbing the brunt of the blast, and shielding his fellow Marines only feet away," the account said.
President Bush later praised Peralta as a hero.
But a decision by Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates not to recommend him for the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military honor, stirred an outcry yesterday by his family and Marines whose lives he saved, claiming that it may have been an simple reflex that he pulled the grenade to his body. We hope that it is not the fact that he was illegal prior to his service, for some true Americans would not have made the sacrifice that Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta has made, therefore making this indescribable.
The fellow comrades "feel they are being treated as liars and they are alive thanks to Peralta, and all agree he should get the medal."
I hope that you agree.
The petition is as follows:
Without any hesitation, Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta shielded and saved his fellow Marines that were only a few feet away. With this sort of remarkable action that we could only ask that most would do for their fellow comrades and/or Country, Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta SHOULD be awarded the Medal of Honor. Not something that is won, but what was definitely earned by this fine Marine. Robert M. Gates, we adamantly request that you reconsider and give this Marine what is due.
The next day, while clearing another house, Peralta was caught in crossfire between insurgents and Marines, the account said. He was shot in the head and mortally wounded, probably by "friendly fire," the account stated. As the insurgents fled the building, they threw a fragmentation grenade, which landed near Peralta's head.
Then, "looking in my eyes and without hesitation and with complete disregard for his own safety, Peralta reached out and pulled the grenade to his body, absorbing the brunt of the blast, and shielding his fellow Marines only feet away," the account said.
President Bush later praised Peralta as a hero.
But a decision by Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates not to recommend him for the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military honor, stirred an outcry yesterday by his family and Marines whose lives he saved, claiming that it may have been an simple reflex that he pulled the grenade to his body. We hope that it is not the fact that he was illegal prior to his service, for some true Americans would not have made the sacrifice that Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta has made, therefore making this indescribable.
The fellow comrades "feel they are being treated as liars and they are alive thanks to Peralta, and all agree he should get the medal."
I hope that you agree.
The petition is as follows:
Without any hesitation, Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta shielded and saved his fellow Marines that were only a few feet away. With this sort of remarkable action that we could only ask that most would do for their fellow comrades and/or Country, Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta SHOULD be awarded the Medal of Honor. Not something that is won, but what was definitely earned by this fine Marine. Robert M. Gates, we adamantly request that you reconsider and give this Marine what is due.
3721 Signatures
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Veronica Burkhart
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Michael Walls
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kirk jenkins
- Comments
- give it to him!
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BARBARA HIRAGA
- Comments
- THIS MARINE DESERVES THE MEDAL OF HONOR!
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Stephen Spires
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charlie cloud
- Comments
- do the right thing and give him his medal of honor, he sure as hell has earned it.
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Carolyn Lare
- Comments
- This American hero deserves the Medal of Honor
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Michelle Crane
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Carlos Bernard Toomer
- Comments
- Carlos Toomer is presently at the Top of the Defense Fighting Food Chain, When you get older Honor Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates you need protection.
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Harold Pettigrew
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Brandee Kelley
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Susan Tackitt
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- I have been a VA Volunteer for 19 years, i tried to serve our Country but didn't make the cut. By becoming a Volunteer to help those who served and are serving I strongly feel this man has earned the respect of this Nation in which we call the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave. It's because of men like Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta we can still say this today and will be able to as long as we have those willing to serve and above all give their life so we can be free.
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Sylvie Loibl
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- I feel that if any man or woman, who serves as a US soldier and gives their life for our country and fellow man, should be honored with the Metal of Honor. Aknowledge him as a US Soldier, honor his memory and the sacrifice he made for his fellow Marines,
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Larry Stroud
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charles h. crowell
- Comments
- he has already earned it, so show him the respect
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Adriana Hardy
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Clete Straub
- Comments
- Please give Sgt. Peralta the Medal of Honor. He deserves it!
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Sharon Hendrix
- Comments
- I believe in the freedom of this wonderful country and these phenomenal young adults are giving their lives to protect our land. Can we please rally round those who give unselfishly and reward their courage, even in death.
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David J. Ardoin Jr.
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- Secretary Gates, Please do the right thing and push through this CMH.
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Kathy Varner Jennings
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- Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta irrefutably deserves the Medal of Honor. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates excuse of a simple reflex is a poor excuse for denying this brave Hero his rightful medal. To look into the eyes of a comrade, grab a grenade, knowing you are going to dye, is not a simple reflex; it is the ultimate sacrifice! Most accounts of bravery are based solely upon the accounts of those whose lives the Hero saved, and to deny Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta the Medal of Honor calls all of them liars. Defense Secretary, Robert M. Gates, you are not a comrade of the Armed Forces of the United States if you deny this Medal of Honor!
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Mary E Phoenix
- Comments
- He gave his life for others he deserves the medal of honor. I am the mother of a American soldier
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Russell D. Boates, III
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- to paraphrase: there is no greater deed that a soldier can perforn than to give their life for their comrades. No greater deed requires an award of a medal that is thought of as the highest honor available.
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Gary Hopkins "Veteran US Army"
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- Here is man that gave his life so others could live - He Earned The MEDAL OF HONOR and American Veterans will not rest until He is awarded the Honor that America Owes him and his family.
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Dennis Marek
- Comments
- Award him the Medal of Honor
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James Trout
- Comments
- Give this Man the Final Respect Due.
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Diana Camp
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Neal Jason
- Comments
- honor his actions of giving his life for others
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KIM BRINK
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Mark Kerrick
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Kay Brogan
- Comments
- He deserves the highest honor
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Bonnie J Hayes
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Amy Villareal
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Shirley Lofton
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Victoria Blackwell
- Comments
- He gave his LIFE. What more can we ask?
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Deborah Hammock
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- He was acting as a hero no matter who shot him. His final thought was of his Brothers. He died for this country, He is a HERO.
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Stacy Grizzle
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Robert D. Sullivan
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- It is only the right thing to do. Semper Fi.
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Cynde Boris
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Elizabeth Irwin
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- Just one question for the Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates whom ASSUMED it was a refex....have you Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates ever been in a real combat situation? Could you be so brave? OK so it was two questions, so sue me!
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DIANE GRIMMER
- Comments
- PROUD WIFE OF A US MARINE CURRENTLY DEPLOYED THIS MAN DESERVES A HEROS MEDAL GIVE IT TO HIM AND HIS FAMILY HE GAVE ALL THANK YOU THANK YOU
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Mary Petecca
- Comments
- This Marine is a Hero and deserves the medal of Honor
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Tommy Tobin
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Raymond Bisares
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- A SIMPLE REFLEX! WHAT THE HECK IS THAT WHEN YOU ARE BRINGING A LIVE GRENADE TO YOUR BODY!
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Karen McNeal
- Comments
- This man should receive the Medal of Honor. It's an outrage to not do so.
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Jan Hendrix
- Comments
- Please do the right thing on this issue!
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Toyi Ramos
- Comments
- I believe that any person that serves in the US Military and gives their life proctecting our country and fellow man, should be honored with the Metal of Honor. Recognize him as a US Soldier, honor his memory and the sacrifice he made for his fellow Marines.
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mary Covell
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Kelly Diamond
- Comments
- Immigrant, turned American, turned HERO: RECOGNIZE IT and HONOR IT!
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Lisa Edgar
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Robert Charles Sullivent
- Comments
- Please honor this petition, Sgt Peralta deserves the Medal of Honor!
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3721
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