Marine Saved His Crew From a Grenade. He May Now Receive a Posthumous Award

Published Jun 3, 2026, 5:00 AM EDT

Sgt. Rafael Peralta was killed in 2004 after using his body to save others in Iraq. Some say his story has holes.

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Published Jun 3, 2026, 5:00 AM EDT

Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta could finally receive the nation's highest honor for sacrificing his own life to save a group of fellow marines in Iraq. In a renewed push 18 years after the fact, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) has introduced legislation to authorize President Donald Trump to posthumously award the Medal of Honor to Peralta, of San Diego, Calif., for his extraordinary heroism during Operation Iraqi Freedom. “Sgt. Rafael Peralta embodied the highest ideals of indomitable courage and steadfast devotion to his fellow Marines and to our great country,” Issa said in a statement. “Valor never expires, and Congress has a solemn obligation to ensure that acts of valor of this magnitude receive the recognition they deserve—regardless of administrative delay or statutory limitations.”