USA Patriotism! ... "Showcasing Pride of America"USA Store! ... American / Patriotic themed gift products at USA Patriotism!

Home - Articles - USA's Birth - Great Patriots - Heroes - Honor Halls - Music - Photos
Poems - Quotes - Reference - Speeches - Stars for Troops - Stories - Student Patriots
Videos - New Content
- About - Contact - Submit - Press
- CureNow - Donate
- Privacy

Click Here To Google Search
 For USA Patriotism! Content
USA Patriotism! YouTube Channel Join / Like the USA Patriotism! Facebook pagePinterestLinkedInUSA Patriotism! Instagram ChannelUSA Patriotism! On TwitterUSA Patriotism! at Flickr

Patriotic Article
Heroes and Patriots

Collectibles, apparel, and other gifts ... for Marines, Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, and veterans! Checks with USA, military, and other patriotic designs Free Gifts from The Bradford Exchange Online

Fallen Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta Awarded The Navy Cross
by U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. William Perkins - June 23, 2015

Tough Tex American Flags

Satute of Liberty / Flag Mugs and Steins

American Flag Western Boots

USA, military, and other patriotic themed pullover and button down Polo shirts

Personalized Patriotic Embroidered Shirts

USA Flag and other American Theme Caps and Hats

SunSetter 20' Telescoping Flagpole with Free American Flag

US Flag Throw Blanket

American Pride: Poems Honoring America and Her Patriots! by David G. Bancroft

"Mere Chance" by David G. Bancroft

Cemetery Woods by David G. Bancroft

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Rafael Peralta was posthumously awarded The Navy Cross on June 8, 2015 ... nine years after making the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq. (Image created by USA Patrioitsm! with the addition of the Navy Cross on a Marine Corps courtesy photo)CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus awarded the Navy Cross to Rosa Peralta, the mother of the late Sgt. Rafael Peralta, aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., June 8, 2015.

According to the award citation, Sgt. Rafael Peralta was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously after sacrificing his life by absorbing the blast of an enemy grenade and shielding fellow Marines only feet away while serving with Regimental Combat Team 7, 1st Marine Division, in Fallujah, Al Anbar province, Iraq, on Nov. 15, 2004.

Throughout the ceremony several people stepped forward to talk about Peralta and to express their gratitude for his actions. The first to speak was Rafael's brother, Ricardo Peralta. Ricardo enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2010 as an infantryman to follow in his brother's footsteps.

Ricardo spoke for his family when he said there's nothing that can replace the sense of pride they have for Rafael and his actions.

“Regardless of any sort of award, buildings or ships being named after him, it doesn't take away from the sense of pride that we all share,” Ricardo said. “Those of us that have worked beside him and worn the uniform have a sense of pride [and nothing can take that away].”

Ricardo also said his brother didn't care about medals or decorations; he just wanted to serve as an infantryman.

CAMP PENDLETON (June 8, 2015) Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Ray Mabus poses for a group photo with the family members of Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta before presenting them with a Navy Cross, the Navy and Marine Corps' second highest medal for valor at Camp Pendleton. Mabus posthumously awarded the medal for actions Peralta took in 2004. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Sam Shavers)
CAMP PENDLETON (June 8, 2015) Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Ray Mabus poses for a group photo with the family members of Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta before presenting them with a Navy Cross, the Navy and Marine Corps' second highest medal for valor at Camp Pendleton. Mabus posthumously awarded the medal for actions Peralta took in 2004. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Sam Shavers)

“In the end, Navy Cross, Medal of Honor, it doesn't matter,” he stated. “It's all good.”

Staff Sergeant Adam Morrison, one of the Marines with Peralta when the grenade detonated, stated that if it wasn't for the Peralta's actions, he would have been fatally wounded.

The Peralta family said they have appreciated the support the Navy and Marine Corps has given in order to preserve the memory of the fallen warrior.

Peralta's legacy will live on through the stories and memorabilia left behind. This fall, the U.S. Navy will christen an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer with his name, and his battle-worn rifle along with a letter written to Ricardo will be displayed in the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico, Va.

More photos available in frame below

By U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. William Perkins
Provided through DVIDS
Copyright 2015

Comment on this article  |  Navy Cross Recipients  |  Other Heroes

USA Gifts Store! ... over 1,000 American / Patriotic themed products at USA Patriotism! USA / Americana theme ... polo shirts, t-shirts, shorts, hats, caps, swimwear, sweatshirts, hoodies, hats, jackets, under garments, and other apparel items American Pride: Poems Honoring America and Her Patriots! by David G. Bancroft