Honor or insult for a fallen Marine?

[unhappycamper]

Sgt. Rafael Peralta, 25, died during the Battle of Fallujah in 2004. He will be posthumously awarded the Navy Cross, the Marine Corps' second-highest honor for valor.


Honor or insult for a fallen Marine?
By Dan Lamothe - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Sep 29, 2008 7:26:03 EDT

When Sgt. Rafael Peralta died smothering an exploding grenade in Fallujah to save his buddies, his place in Marine history was cemented.

The Corps put him up for the Medal of Honor. The Navy Department approved it and moved it to the Defense Department.

Just about everyone thought it was a done deal.

But Peralta will receive instead the prestigious Navy Cross, the nation’s second-highest award for combat valor, the Corps announced Sept. 17. Rather than cause for celebration, the move angered his family, veterans and other Marines.

“I don’t want that medal,” said Peralta’s mother, Rosa. “I won’t accept it. It doesn’t seem fair to me.”


Rest of article at: http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2008/09/marine_peralta_092808/%2e